Dr. La Shawn Denise Witt is a Visionary Leader, Seasoned Educator, Transformational Speaker, and Inspirational Author, widely known as The Global Strategist for her ability to orchestrate initiatives that drive positive change in society. A native of Los Angeles, Dr. La Shawn has dedicated her life to education, women’s empowerment, and community upliftment.
Born in 1977, Dr. La Shawn took a bold step during her 40th birthday in 2017, embracing her faith and trusting in God’s divine plan for her life. She coined this milestone as “The Year of 40,” a turning point that symbolized her commitment to stepping fully into a higher calling. This journey culminated in the authorship of her debut book The Diva Herself: I Survived My Mess. It is a compelling memoir detailing how her life’s journey, including her traumatic experiences as a silent rape survivor, led to a more fulfilled purpose, marking the beginning of a series of ventures designed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
A successful serial entrepreneur, Dr. La Shawn’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. She is the founder of Divine Diva Events, a company that executes personalized, flawless events that leave a lasting impression, as well as Fabulous Divas and Gents, which organizes group travel experiences for African-American women and couples. She also launched My Sister’s Keeper, an initiative that empowers women to fulfill their unique life purpose, alongside Charity House, which offers transitional housing for vulnerable women seeking to rebuild their lives.
In her extensive 25-year career in education, Dr. Witt has held various roles. Her passion for education and leadership led her to establish Witt & Associates, LLC, an educational consulting firm that empowers leaders to drive transformative change in school settings. In addition, she hosts the Wonder Woman Conference for Empowerment and has delivered over 300 impactful presentations, workshops, and seminars to diverse audiences in the corporate, non-profit, and faith-based sectors, making her a highly sought-after keynote speaker.
Dr. Witt currently resides in Inglewood, California, with her adult daughter, Morgan. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, reading, shopping, attending live concerts, and participating in community service activities.
She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, The Links, Incorporated, Jack and Jill of America and Tabahani Book Circle. Through her multifaceted endeavors, Dr. Witt continues to make a positive impact on society, helping countless individuals unlock their God-given potential and lead brighter, more fulfilling lives.
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Soignée Sisterhood Conversation with Dr. La Shawn Denise Witt
An intimate sit-down with Dr. La Shawn Denise Witt, a woman who didn’t just bounce back — she got up and built a whole table.
There are women who get knocked down and stay down. And then there’s Dr. La Shawn Denise Witt. She’s the woman who lived through bankruptcy, chronic illness, suicidal lows, and betrayals that would’ve made most people disappear into silence. But instead of folding, she told her story. Loudly. In bold font. On the cover of her book The D.I.V.A. Herself: I Survived My Mess.
In a world where curated perfection is currency, Dr. Witt is refreshingly disruptive — not because she wants attention, but because she’s done hiding. And while her story is full of pain, it’s also full of power, purpose, and receipts. Multiple degrees. A consulting firm. A national conference for women. Housing solutions for those who need safety and dignity. She didn’t just survive. She got strategic.
But don’t get it twisted. She still has scars. She still has hard days. And in this conversation, she lays it all bare — the good, the grief, and the gospel that kept her going. We met up to talk about what it really means to survive “the mess,” and what comes next when you finally stop pretending you’re okay.
SLM: Let’s rewind. What parts of your early life shaped who you were before the world knew your name?
Before anyone knew my name or my titles, I was a little girl growing up in Los Angeles, deeply observant, naturally curious, and always dreaming. I came from a family where resilience was a necessity, not an option. The early chaos — brokenness, instability, and watching people I love struggle — taught me how to lead with compassion and navigate life with grit. That environment, though imperfect, shaped the woman who’d eventually learn to turn survival into strategy.
SLM: What parts of your early life shaped who you became before you even knew you’d have a story to tell?
The silence of childhood secrets and the weight of being the “strong one” too early taught me two things: how to perform and how to protect. But beneath that performance was a girl who always knew she was meant for something more. Even in brokenness, I was building something. I just didn’t know yet that the story would one day save not just me — but others, too.
SLM: What (or who) inspired you to pursue not one but two Bachelor’s degrees, a Master’s, and a Doctorate?
Honestly? I was running from inadequacy. Education became my armor. I kept chasing degrees to prove I was worthy — not realizing I already was. But somewhere along the journey, it stopped being about proving people wrong and started being about empowering others to rise, too. My daughter Morgan was — and still is — my deepest motivation. I wanted her to see what was possible.
SLM: From middle school teacher to Ed.D. powerhouse. What’s one lesson from your time as a classroom teacher that still sits with you in boardrooms, conferences, and keynote stages today?
Every child just wants to be seen. And that lesson? It applies to adults, too. Whether I’m teaching 7th graders or coaching CEOs, people want to know they matter. That their voice is heard. I never forget that.
SLM: What would you say now to the version of you who thought that pain would last forever?
I would hold her face in my hands and say, “This isn’t forever, sis — this is a chapter, not the whole book.” I’d tell her she’s not crazy, she’s not weak, and she’s not alone. She just hasn’t met her healing yet.
SLM: What pulled you back toward the light when everything felt too heavy to carry?
Honestly? God… and my daughter’s eyes. When I saw her, I saw the future. I couldn’t let the enemy have the final say over my life. I had to fight for the version of me I hadn’t met yet.
SLM: How did your relationship with God change once you stopped performing strength and started telling the truth in your prayers?
Everything shifted. I went from scripted prayers to surrendered ones. I stopped trying to impress God and just started inviting Him into my ugly. And in that space, I discovered grace that wasn’t just for church — it was for real life.
SLM: What did that moment look like when you heard God say, “Enough is enough”?
It was quiet but undeniable. I was in my car, crying into the steering wheel, and I felt it deep in my spirit. Not angry. Not loud. Just… final. And from that moment, I made a decision to choose myself — not selfishly, but sacredly.
SLM: What gave you the courage to keep showing up — for your daughter, for your work, and eventually, for yourself?
I realized I was her blueprint. I couldn’t preach healing and live broken. I knew if I didn’t fight to get free, she might one day inherit my pain. That truth scared me enough to change.
SLM: Was there a moment when you realized you weren’t just surviving, you were actually starting to heal?
Yes. The day I laughed—like, truly laughed—and didn’t feel guilty about it. That’s when I knew the cracks were letting in light, not just pain.
SLM: What’s one lie you used to believe about yourself that you’ve officially kicked to the curb?
That I had to earn love. That I had to over-deliver to deserve space. The truth? I am worthy because I exist. Period.
SLM: Did you ever feel like you had to look successful even when everything was falling apart?
Absolutely. I mastered the art of the polished mask. But now? I still wear red lipstick — just not to hide the hurt. These days, I tell the truth and let people meet me in the middle of my humanity.
The D.I.V.A. Herself.
SLM: What pushed you to write The D.I.V.A. Herself and how did it feel to expose the parts of your story most people would rather hide?
God told me it was time. Not for applause — but for assignment. I needed to write the book I wish I had when I was falling apart. It felt like spiritual surgery to write it, but I knew if I could survive the mess, I could also survive the telling of it.
SLM: Can you talk about one of the hardest chapters in your life and what surviving actually looked like in those moments?
There was a season when I lost everything — my job, my health, my home. I was in bed for days, feeling worthless. Surviving looked like brushing my teeth when I could. Answering one text. Speaking one prayer. Healing wasn’t grand. It was moment by moment.
SLM: What does being a D.I.V.A. look like on the hard days?
It’s crying with your bonnet on and still believing in God’s plan. It’s calling a therapist, journaling your truth, taking a nap, and getting back up. Divine, Inspired, Victorious, and Authentic doesn’t mean perfect — it means real.
SLM: For the woman who’s still in her own mess — what would you want to tell her?
You are not too broken to be used. This mess won’t disqualify you — it will define the power of your comeback. Sis, your survival is sacred.
SLM: What was going on in your life financially and emotionally when you filed for bankruptcy, and how did you rebuild your confidence?
I was keeping up appearances while everything crumbled. I thought my worth was tied to what I owned. Filing was humbling — it stripped away ego, but it gave me peace. Rebuilding wasn’t just about credit — it was about character. I learned how to build wealth God’s way.
SLM: What helps you stay rooted in purpose and not lost in performance?
I stay close to my “why.” This isn’t just business—it’s ministry. If I chase clout, I’ll burn out. But if I chase purpose, I’ll always have clarity.
SLM: What conversations are you having at the Wonder Woman Conference that we’re not hearing anywhere else?
We talk about trauma, impostor syndrome, sex, shame, healing, entrepreneurship — all of it. We’re not just networking, we’re nurturing. It’s a sacred space where women don’t have to shrink.
SLM: What does it feel like now to be living out loud, not despite the mess, but because of it?
Liberating. I’m not hiding. I’m not shrinking. I’m not pretending. I am the woman I prayed to become. And I owe it to my past self to live fully and freely.
SLM: If legacy had a voice, what would you want yours to say?
“She told the truth. She served with heart. She made broken things beautiful. And she taught other women to rise.”
The D.I.V.A. Herself: I Survived My Mess by Dr. La Shawn Denise Witt
Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQK25FC6
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