Today we’d like to introduce you to Valecia Lokey.
Hi Valecia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Inspire Your Dreams Foundation was born from my own journey of navigating life’s challenges while learning how powerful confidence and voice can be. Like many young people, I faced moments where self-doubt, fear, and life circumstances tried to limit how I saw myself and what I believed was possible.
Over time, I discovered that healing, personal growth, and learning to speak with confidence were not just skills—they were lifelines. Public speaking, leadership development, and honest conversations helped me rebuild my confidence, process challenges, and step into who I was meant to be.
For over 20 years, I also had the privilege of leading a teen group through my church, where we walked alongside young people facing real-life challenges. Through the Celebrate Recovery program, we supported teens as they worked through their hurts, habits, and hang-ups in a safe, encouraging environment. That experience deeply shaped my heart for youth and reinforced the importance of meeting young people with compassion, structure, and hope.
What started as a passion for helping others eventually grew into action. I began leading public speaking and personal development workshops in community spaces like libraries and schools, working with adults, teens, and young people who were struggling with confidence, trauma, or simply finding their voice. Seeing participants transform—standing taller, speaking clearer, believing in themselves—confirmed that this work was needed.
That’s when Inspire Your Dreams Foundation officially came to life. Today, we serve teens and young adults ages 12 to 24, helping them heal, grow, and lead through programs focused on personal development, leadership, and public speaking. Our mission is simple but powerful: to help young people overcome obstacles, discover their voice, and confidently pursue their dreams.
This foundation is a reflection of both my journey and a long-standing commitment to youth empowerment—because when young people are supported, encouraged, and given space to grow, they don’t just change their own lives; they strengthen their families and communities as well.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Like most meaningful work, building Inspire Your Dreams Foundation has come with its share of challenges.
One of the biggest struggles has been navigating limited resources—learning how to build programs, fundraise, and grow while often wearing multiple hats at the same time. There were moments of uncertainty, especially when balancing vision with capacity and figuring out how to sustain the work while staying true to the mission.
Another challenge has been helping people understand that confidence-building, healing, and personal development are just as essential as academic or career preparation. Sometimes that meant advocating for the value of this work and helping others see the long-term impact it has on young people’s lives.
There were also personal challenges—pushing past self-doubt, learning new systems, and trusting the process even when progress felt slow. But each challenge became a lesson, strengthening my leadership, resilience, and faith.
What kept me moving forward was the impact. Seeing a young person speak up for the first time, gain confidence, or realize they are capable of more than they believed reminded me why this work matters. Those moments made every obstacle worth it and continue to fuel the mission today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Inspire Your Dreams Foundation, our work centers on helping teens and young adults build confidence, heal from life challenges, and step into leadership through their voice. We serve youth ages 12 to 24 through programs focused on personal growth, leadership development, and public speaking.
We specialize in confidence-building and communication skills, particularly for young people who may be struggling with self-doubt, trauma, or feeling unseen. Our programs create safe, supportive spaces where participants can process their experiences, develop emotional awareness, and practice speaking with confidence—both in everyday life and in leadership settings.
What we’re known for is our hands-on, heart-centered approach. We don’t just teach skills; we walk alongside participants. Whether it’s a workshop in a school, a library program, or a community-based session, our focus is on real conversations, practical tools, and encouragement that meets young people where they are.
What I’m most proud of is the transformation we see. Watching a young person who once avoided speaking begin to share their thoughts confidently, set goals, and believe in themselves is incredibly powerful. Those moments—when someone realizes their voice matters—are why this work exists.
What sets Inspire Your Dreams Foundation apart is the depth of experience behind the mission. With over 20 years of working directly with teens, combined with a background in public speaking, leadership development, and recovery-focused support, our programs are grounded in empathy, consistency, and real-world understanding. We focus not just on performance, but on healing, growth, and long-term impact—helping young people rise into confident leaders who can influence their futures and their communities.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is helping young people realize that their voice matters and that their past or present challenges do not define their future.
I’ve seen firsthand how self-doubt, trauma, and fear can silence young people and limit what they believe is possible. When someone feels unheard or unseen, it affects every area of their life—how they show up in school, relationships, and even how they dream. Being able to create spaces where young people feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow is deeply important to me.
What matters most is impact—seeing lives changed in real ways. When a teen or young adult gains confidence, begins to heal, and starts to believe in themselves, it creates a ripple effect that reaches families, schools, and communities.
I do this work because I believe every young person deserves hope, guidance, and the opportunity to rise beyond their circumstances. Helping them find their voice isn’t just about speaking—it’s about helping them step into who they were created to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inspireyourdreams.org
