Lakeshia and Neva’s desire to help women in a bigger way started on a journey with a few like minded friends. The authors co-founded an organization to mentor, coach and advise women and girls through a series of courses and workshops. The organization’s largest client was the Housing Authority for the City of Los Angeles. They worked with programs such as the Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center and similar organizations. Over the years, the joy of working with women and girls, witnessing first-hand the life-changing experiences they had when being exposed to transformative life strategies was inspiring to Lakeshia and Neva.
Their work ultimately led to their writing The Truth About Being Single. The authors personally knew many women who were single but who really wanted to be married. Notably, these same women exhibited behaviors consistent with those who had low-esteem and were not self-aware. Consequently, just as they did for the women and girls they mentored and coached, the authors applied the same dedication and passion to the issues that single women face today; they would become a voice of truth for single women everywhere. They would say what women everywhere were afraid to say out loud. “It’s okay to want to be in a committed relationship! It’s okay to want to be married!”
Lakeshia has been a writer and speaker for as long as she can remember. Her mother said she was a very early talker and that once Lakeshia got started talking, she never stopped! As a young girl, Lakeshia wrote stories and poetry for her elementary school newspaper. Though she loved to read and write, to her surprise, she fell into a career in the legal field where she remained for 20 years. Lakeshia worked alongside attorneys assisting them in various fields of law. Lakeshia also consults lawyers and law firms on their staff training and development and has taught career college Legal Office/Assisting courses. Lakeshia is passionate about the work she does facilitating dialogue and transformative mediations for the Dispute Resolution Program of the Office of the City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles. Lakeshia is seasoned in dispute resolution. Maybe that’s why she enjoys helping women find their own personal power and authenticity in all areas of their lives so interesting. She knows anything is possible once people take the first steps toward recognizing what they truly want! The same goes for relationships.
Her desire to help people live lives they love led Lakeshia to pursue training as a Life Coach with ICF accredited CoachU, Inc., the leading global provider of professional coach training programs. Lakeshia uses the training and methodologies she learned at CoachU to help women.
THEN . . . THIS
Single and 37, Lakeshia finally met the man who would become her husband. Lakeshia understands the truth about being single, because she was single until she married at the age of 37. She personally lived the suggestions outlined in this book and the result was finding happiness and success in her own life first and then attracting her Mr. Right to complement and enhance her life.
On a personal note, the following are answers to questions women tend to want to know about Lakeshia:
1. What are your favorite TV shows?
Almost anything where people are pursuing their dreams and passions.
I am obsessed with “CHOPPED!” and cannot miss the “The Next Food Network Star” or “Design Star!”
I LOVE House Hunters International! And pretty much enjoy almost everything on PBS’ “Masterpiece Theater.”
2. What food do you dislike?
Unfortunately, not many!!! However, I HATE liver! Yuck!!! I’m generally not a fan of organ meat of any kind. And eggs tend to gross me out when I cook them.
3. What characteristic do you despise?
It would be a toss-up between lying and using an unfair advantage to obtain something.
4. Favorite item of clothing?
At the moment, my leopard print coat from Talbots. ; )
5. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Tahiti. It has been on my must see list for years. I enjoy city hustle and bustle trips, but the idea of vacation for me is usually sitting beside beautiful ocean water.
6. What did you want to be when you were little?
A mother, a speaker and a writer. I gave a speech when I was in the 7th grade in Junior High School. I do not remember how or why, but I was asked to speak at a local elementary school to welcome what would be the incoming class of new 7th graders. In that moment, I knew I could encourage, motivate and inspire others. Then and there, I came to love public speaking.
7. What is your favorite candy?
Dark Chocolate, preferably Belgian.
8. What is your favorite flower?
Peony. They remind me of a feminine yet powerful and robust woman and … it was my wedding flower.
9. Favorite soft drink?
Perrier. Refreshing, carbonated and calorie free.
10. Favorite restaurant?
Houston’s! I love a great steak every now and then. Sorry, vegetarians, but it’s true.
11. Travels you love?
I’ve been fortunate to travel – A LOT. Over the years, I have visited places I could easily live and others I love to visit over and over again. I love the Caribbean. The colors of the ocean are almost surreal; the Reggae music infectious and the food delicious! I love Ireland. It is green and lush and wonderful. My dream (goal) is to live part time in London. I enjoy the vibe and energy of that City. Italy, too. I mean really, what’s not to love. I especially adore Firenze! I grew to love Paris. I thoroughly enjoyed Santiago, Chile, and will never forget Cascada de Petrohue.
In the U.S., well, I LOVE L.A., my hometown! Go San Pedro! I also really enjoy D.C., NYC and Boston. Really, I could go on and on. Travel happens to be one of my passions. (Can you tell?) I am so happy that I can share and pursue that passion with the man I attracted and married.
Neva Lockhart resides in sunny Southern California where she has lived most of her life, except for a short stay in Texas. She is still enjoying her single life. However, Neva is a true believer in love and marriage. She also believes everyone should be true to themselves.
Neva’s mother told her she was always a talker and loved to entertain. Her teachers suggested she look into a career in Law. She seriously considered Law as a profession until she discovered that her love for people goes far beyond defending or prosecuting them. She wanted to talk and to listen. Neva wanted to help people and to gain their trust by having one on one heartfelt discussions with them. She wanted to share as well.
Neva also loved business strategic management, the ‘ins and outs’ of making a business succeed. She found the profession that would allow her to do just that and became a Salon Owner and Stylist.
Neva was also a co-founder of an organization which trained, mentored and coached women and girls though a series of seminars and workshops.
For 30 years now, she has been a successful businesswoman, problem solver, mentor, confidante, counselor, therapist and coach.
Through all of this, Neva has learned a lot and gained valuable life experiences. As taught by her “no nonsense” mother, Neva firmly believes one can learn and apply life lessons from the experiences of others and using basic common sense. When you do so, you can accomplish anything, including making good choices for yourself in all aspects of your life. Neva stresses the value of learning from the experiences of others.
Neva was intrigued by the concern single women had about being single and wanting to be married and how dismissive and insulting society seems to react to this very natural desire. She knew it was time to do something. This book has provided a forum which has opened the way for many deep conversations among women and men, married and single. Knowing the many lies we had been told, Neva felt she just had to tell the truth about being single.
On a personal note, the following are answers to questions people tend to want to know about Neva:
1. What are your favorite TV shows?
Sunday Morning, which I watch on Sunday night. I am not a morning person.
Viewing 60 Minutes together with Sunday Morning makes for a great, relaxing, evening. I am still in love with The Cosby Show. I enjoy watching So You Think You Can Dance. Usually anything on the Food Network when I have the time, however, Chopped is a must. Finding old movies makes my day and thanks to technology and the DVR we have it made.
2. What food do you dislike?
Well let’s see… Would Mayo be considered a food?
3. What characteristic do you despise?
Absolutely hate pretenders and hypocrites which fall under the umbrella of
“LIARS”.
4. Favorite item of clothing?
My green Pin-Striped suit. I had it made to resemble a suit Barbara Streisand wore. She is one of my favorite artists.
5. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Chicago. I want to see the place described as “New York Lite… big city feel without the undertow.”
6. What did you want to be when you were little?
A Photographer, A Lawyer and a Chef… I loved to cook.
7. What is your favorite candy?
See’s Peanut Clusters.
7. What is your favorite flower?
Casablanca Lily. It is such an elegant flower and it’s fragrance smells like peace feels.
8. Favorite soft drink?
Pepsi. It is the best way to get a terrific jolt of carbonation and Pepsi has not changed its flavor, unlike another soda I know.
9. Favorite restaurant?
You really cannot go wrong with Houston’s… Consistency, Consistency,
Consistency!!! (See why Lakeshia and I are great friends!)
10. Travels you love?
I loved Ireland. However, “The Emerald City” (Seattle) stands up to its name. It is a carpet of greenery. It took my breath away. Had a memorable time in Vancouver, Canada. Attended a beautiful wedding, in Stanley Park with a spectacular view of the ocean overlooking English Bay. Enjoyed Paris, as well as London. The New England states of Maine and Massachusetts… beautiful, magnificent, and overwhelming. Each of the states have secrets that can only be found if you get lost in them.
