Today we’d like to introduce you to LaSaundra Hewitt.
Hi LaSaundra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is LaSaundra Hewitt, and my story is deeply rooted in experiences that began in elementary school and followed me all the way through college. For years, I endured persistent bullying that slowly eroded my self-esteem and sense of identity. What many people didn’t see were the internal battles that followed—depression, suicidal thoughts, and the belief that I wasn’t enough. Those wounds didn’t disappear when the bullying stopped; they lingered well into adulthood, shaping how I saw myself and how I moved through the world.
Despite the damage, I continued pushing forward, searching for healing, purpose, and wholeness. Through faith, perseverance, and intentional healing, I began to reclaim my voice and recognize my worth. As I grew stronger, I realized that my story was not meant to end with survival—it was meant to help others who were still hurting.
In 2015, I took my first step toward that calling by launching Advocates for C.H.A.N.G.E., an organization focused on empowering youth to speak up and stand against bullying. I shared my personal experiences and visited schools, helping students understand the real and lasting effects of bullying. That season affirmed my passion for advocacy, even as life later required me to pause and reflect.
In 2023, that vision was reborn as iamALIVE, Inc., a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created from both my pain and my healing. ALIVE stands for Accepted, Loved, Included, Valued, and Empowered—five truths I wish I had fully believed as a child. Today, iamALIVE exists to empower and educate youth who have experienced bullying and related challenges, helping them build resilience, confidence, and inner strength so they can rise above adversity and walk boldly in who they are.
What once felt like my greatest weakness has become the foundation of my purpose, and iamALIVE is the living proof that healing can lead to hope.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. In many ways, the easiest part of the journey was actually getting registered in my state and obtaining our 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. What I quickly realized, though, was that having a nonprofit on paper is very different from knowing how to run one. I came into this work with passion and lived experience, but very little knowledge about nonprofit operations, leadership, or sustainability. I leaned heavily into training, mentorship, and support systems to learn along the way.
One of the most challenging seasons came in 2024, our second year as an organization, when I was diagnosed with cancer. That diagnosis forced me to pause the work of iamALIVE because my health and capacity simply could not sustain everything I was carrying. It was a humbling and difficult moment, especially as someone who is deeply committed to the mission, but it also taught me the importance of rest, boundaries, and community.
Another ongoing struggle was building the right team. In the early stages, I struggled to find strong team members who not only believed in the mission but also had the time, capacity, and passion to help take the organization to the next level. For a significant period, I found myself doing far too much on my own, stretching myself thin and limiting how effective we could be as an organization.
Today, I’m grateful to say we are in a much healthier place. We now have a strong team with diverse talents, shared vision, and a deep commitment to the mission of iamALIVE. That shift has brought renewed hope and clarity, and I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead. While the road has been challenging, every struggle has strengthened the foundation, and I’m looking forward to the growth and impact we will experience in 2026 and beyond.
As you know, we’re big fans of iamALIVE, Inc.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
iamALIVE, Inc. is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and educating youth who have experienced bullying and related challenges. At the heart of our work is the belief that every young person deserves to know they are Accepted, Loved, Included, Valued, and Empowered—this is what ALIVE represents and what guides everything we do.
We specialize in helping youth build inner strength, resilience, confidence, and self-worth after experiencing emotional harm from bullying. What sets iamALIVE apart is that our work is rooted in lived experience. Our programs are not theoretical or surface-level; they are deeply personal, trauma-informed, and faith-centered. Our founder’s own journey through years of bullying, depression, and healing allows us to meet youth exactly where they are—with empathy, authenticity, and hope.
Our offerings include interactive workshops, school assemblies, after-school programs, small group sessions, and educational experiences designed to create safe spaces for honest conversations. We don’t just talk about bullying—we equip youth with practical tools to use their voice, set healthy boundaries, build confidence, and understand their worth beyond the opinions of others. Recognizing that bullying impacts entire communities, we also extend our support to parents, guardians, and educators by partnering with charter schools, public schools, and key stakeholders to help create safer, more inclusive school environments.
Brand-wise, what we are most proud of is the heart and integrity behind iamALIVE. Even through seasons of pause, personal health challenges, and rebuilding, the mission has remained clear and unwavering. iamALIVE is not just a program—it’s a message and a movement reminding youth that their lives matter and their voices matter.
What we want readers to know most is that iamALIVE is committed to long-term impact, not quick fixes. We are here to walk alongside youth, families, and schools with compassion, faith, and intentional support. As we move forward with a strong and diverse team, we are excited about expanding our reach and deepening our impact in the years ahead, ensuring that no young person feels invisible, unheard, or alone.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck—good or bad. I believe in God’s blessings, favor, and divine alignment. When I look at my life and the journey of iamALIVE, I can clearly see God’s hand at work. This nonprofit is not something I believe I built on my own; it is something I believe God entrusted to me, and because of that, I know it is aligned with His will.
There have been doors opened for iamALIVE that we could not have opened ourselves—connections with other organizations, partnerships, and opportunities that came at just the right time. I truly believe those moments were not coincidences but confirmations. Even the people who now serve on our team feel divinely placed. Each person brings unique gifts, passion, and commitment, and I believe God sent them to iamALIVE to strengthen the mission and help carry it forward.
That’s not to say the journey has been without challenges. We’ve experienced setbacks, pauses, and moments that tested our faith and endurance, especially during seasons of personal hardship. But those moments never kept us down. Instead, they strengthened our resolve, deepened our dependence on God, and reminded us that setbacks are not failures—they are part of the process.
Through it all, we continue to get back up, grow stronger, and move forward with purpose. What some might call luck, I see as God’s faithfulness—guiding, providing, and sustaining us every step of the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iamaliveatl.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamaliveatl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamaliveatl
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/99083896
