Welcome to La’Heart Desires

Where reflection becomes clarity… and clarity becomes legacy.

La’Heart Desires is a writing-led platform rooted in growth, healing, and purpose.

Through words, stories, and real conversations, we explore what it means to live, grow, and leave something behind that truly matters.

What Is La’Heart Desires?

Grief gave me the blueprint. Legacy gave me the mission.

La’Heart Desires was built in honor of my late father, Lamont.

Shaped through a journey of loss, reflection, and self-discovery.

This space isn’t about having the answers.

It’s about asking the questions that change your life.

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Legacy Spotlight: Honoring those who lead with heart.

Every story leaves a legacy and yours deserves to be heard. The Legacy Spotlight is where purpose-driven entrepreneurs and businesses are celebrated, their stories shared, and their impact felt across our community.

Be inspired. Stay grounded. Witness legacy in motion.

Legacy Spotlight: Deserie Nickole

“Where Vision Meets Vibration” Today, our Legacy Spotlight shines on Deserie Nickole, Owner of DoubleDub Visuals. A creative studio forged from childhood stories, film-school training, and a lifelong search for authenticity. What started as a young ...

Legacy Spotlight: Juan Paniagua

“Creating Something Out of Nothing, One Shot, One Stroke at a Time.” Today, our Legacy Spotlight shines on Juan Paniagua, Owner of 1Juan Shot Media & Design, a visionary artist who turned hardship into a platform for purpose. What began as a cre...

Legacy Spotlight: Mililani Anela

“When Words Fall Short, the Soul Starts to Sing” Today, our Legacy Spotlight shines on Mililani Anela, a musician and artist whose voice carries the power of emotion, truth, and healing. Through her music, Mililani creates a safe space for listeners...

Legacy Spotlight: Vavrix Owens

“When Passion Finds You” Today, our Legacy Spotlight shines on Vavrix Owens — Co-Creator and Founder of The Phoenix Psypher, and a visionary artist whose journey shows what it means to rise when life tries to break you. For Vavrix, music isn’t just...

Legacy Spotlight: Desirae Kraus

“Where Desert Heat Meets Citrus Sweet” This week, our Legacy Spotlight shines on Desirae Kraus, Owner of Az Desert Squeeze, a business born from both love and necessity. What started as a playful idea with her best friend has grown into a mission th...

Legacy Spotlight: Zarinah Tavares

“Even in broken places, beauty and strength are waiting to be discovered.” This week, our Legacy Spotlight turns toward a woman whose story is painted with both grief and grace. Zarinah Tavares — founder of Golden Goddess Creationz Photography, auth...

Legacy Spotlight: Zero Reasons

“You don’t have to wait for someone to give you permission to be yourself.” This week’s Legacy Spotlight shines on Nevaeh Carranza (Bee) and Obediah Carranza (Obe) — a dynamic sibling duo and the visionary founders behind Zero Reasons. Raised in a m...

Legacy Spotlight: Empowerment S.S.A

Building Athletes from the Ground Up with Heart, Discipline, and Vision This week’s Legacy Spotlight celebrates two men who turned their passion for the game into purpose for the next generation. Meet Shaine Boyle and Devin Jones, former collegiate ...

Legacy Spotlight: Bilal Munir Rahim

Founder of Our Black Fathers Committee (OBFC) Black Fathers Advocate | Youth Mentor | Community Leader In a world where fatherhood is too often overlooked or misrepresented, Bilal Munir Rahim stands tall as a man committed to changing that narrative...

Deshaun Jackson

Legacy Spotlight: Jameela Hill

Founder of Jijivisha Holistic & Creator of Light The Mic Some people survive life. Jameela Hill chose to live it.. loudly, intentionally, and with purpose. The creator of Jijivisha Holistic and the force behind Light The Mic, Jameela’s journey i...

Deshaun Jackson

Legacy Spotlight: Kaj Loud

W.1.N. – What 1s Normal? “You don’t win until you question the norm.” Every once in a while, someone steps out of the background — not just to be seen, but to wake people up. Kaj Loud is one of those people. A creative force with a message far deep...

Deshaun Jackson

Legacy Spotlight: Russell Scott

Some people chase greatness. Russell Scott chooses to ignite it in himself and in others. As the founder of True Indeed LLC, a respected speaker, mentor, consultant, and lifestyle model with Ford Robert Black Agency, Russell lives with intentionalit...

Deshaun Jackson

Legacy Spotlight: Ashley La Russa

Legacy doesn’t always begin with a business plan. Sometimes, it begins with a calling, a need to carve space where none existed before. For Ashley La Russa, founder of Blax Friday and Roux Events that calling was clear: Black businesses in Arizona d...

Deshaun Jackson

Legacy Spotlight: Anisa Yanez

Legacy doesn’t always start with a grand plan, sometimes, it begins with a simple but powerful desire: the freedom to create your own path. For Anisa Yanez, owner of Irie Aesthetics, the inspiration to start her business was rooted in one core truth...

Deshaun Jackson

Legacy Spotlight: Mya Dallas Taylor

Legacy can rise from the simplest things, like the smell of fresh cookies and the courage to follow your heart! For Mya Dallas Taylor, owner of Mya’s Cookies, it all started with her favorite sweet treat. “Cookies have always been one of my favorit...

Deshaun Jackson

Legacy Spotlight: Shaun Clark

Legacy often rises from loss. For Shaun Clark, it became a mission after the tragic passing of his 19-year-old son, Shaun Jr. (ShayJ). On March 31, 2015, ShayJ was skateboarding with friends when his board slipped into the street. As he stepped off ...

Deshaun Jackson

Legacy Spotlight: Eddie McClendon

At the heart of every great journey lies a purpose, a reason bigger than the challenges, setbacks, and even the victories. For Eddie McClendon, professional athlete for the IFL Naz Wranglers and owner of 1of1 training, that purpose is crystal clear:...

Deshaun Jackson

Legacy Spotlight: Tommy Clark

This week we celebrate, Tommy Clark SoCal Realtor | Property Manager | Navy Veteran Built Different. Mission Driven. But more than anything, Tommy Clark is committed to breaking generational cycles and building a life rooted in purpose, discipline, ...

Deshaun Jackson

Legacy Spotlight: Sarah Maddon

This week’s spotlight shines on our first woman to be featured Sarah Maddon, Owner of FitLab Personal Training. A woman on a mission to help both adults and kids become the best version of themselves. For Sarah, it’s not just about physical fitness,...

Deshaun Jackson

Legacy Spotlight: Marquise Brown

Navy veteran. Arizona Realtor. Personal trainer.But more than anything, Marquise Brown is rewriting the narrative for those who come from hard beginnings. He is more than his titles, he’s a walking testimony that your past doesn’t define your future....

Deshaun Jackson

Legacy Spotlight: Hunter Brooks

Building relationships and wealth go hand in hand. Hunter Brooks, a dedicated SoCal Realtor, believes that success isn’t just about financial gain. It’s about creating strong, meaningful relationships. As he puts it, “My mission is to build strong, m...

Deshaun Jackson

Legacy Spotlight: DeQuinton Taylor

Today, we recognize a man who’s not just making moves but making a difference—DeQuinton Taylor. As the Owner of A.C.E Training and Co-Owner of FBA Sports Management his mission goes beyond success. It’s about giving back, guiding the next generation,...

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Soul Notes

Soul Notes is a blog offering a quiet space for reflection, written for those navigating grief, growth, and healing in their own time. These short, heartfelt entries offer peace, presence, and gentle reminders that you’re not alone. Let your heart breathe, feel seen, and find comfort in words meant just for you.

Life is what you make it

That phrase gets repeated so often that it can start to feel cliché but beneath it lies a truth that quietly shapes every experience we have: perception creates reality. The way we interpret the world, the meaning we assign to events, and the story ...

When a Mission Grows Beyond the Story That Started It

When I first began building La’Heart Desires, I was standing in the middle of one of the most difficult seasons of my life. I was grieving. I was searching. I was trying to understand how to keep moving forward after losing my father. At...

Returning to Self in a World That Never Stops Scrolling

Today feels different, like something new is quietly brewing, preparing to break through. As I continue to separate myself from social media, I’ve noticed myself becoming more grounded in my own inner thoughts. Without constant external noise, you b...

The 7 Cs of Resilience

Resilience isn’t something I discovered all at once, it’s something I’ve lived, piece by piece, through loss, rebirth, self-discovery, and purpose. As I continue building La’Heart Desires, I’ve realized that resilience isn’t just about surviving; it...

How to Be a Better Person and Attract the Life You Desire

Every season of growth begins with a single decision: the decision to become better. Not better than anyone else but better than the person you were yesterday. Becoming a better person isn’t about perfection; it’s about alignment. It’s about learnin...

The Company You Keep Is the Future You Create

They say your network is your net worth and it’s more than just a catchy phrase. It’s a truth that quietly shapes who you become. Because whether we want to admit it or not, the people we consistently surround ourselves with are the mirrors that ref...

The Hard Truth About Who Supports You: Faith, Resilience, and the Power of Solitude

There’s a quiet, uncomfortable truth in the journey of growth: not everyone you expect to support you actually will. Sometimes, it’s the people closest to you. Friends, family, those you trusted most, who watch from the sidelines, not out of admirat...

A Step of Faith and Purpose: Reflections from My First Major Event

Walking into my first major networking event, I felt a mix of excitement, nerves, and gratitude. It wasn’t just about showing up on behalf of La’Heart Desires, it was about stepping into a space filled with people who embody the kind of purpose and ...

5 Ways to Grow While Staying Resilient Through Hardship

Life has a way of testing us in the moments we least expect. Some days, it feels like the weight of everything is pressing down, and you’re doing your best just to breathe through it. Other days, there’s peace, even if it’s quiet, subtle, or fleetin...

Learning to Live With Grief and Solitude

Yesterday was my father’s birthday. Even after time has passed, the day still carries weight, not just in the memories, but in the silence that follows. The day after his birthday always feels different. The messages slow down, the posts fade, and t...

The Weight of One Phone Call

Some people understand what it means to lose a parent, some don’t. In 7 days, it will be my father’s birthday, October 6th. He would’ve been 56. My head aches and my heart feels heavy. There’s no timeline for grief, especially when the person you’ve...

The Myth of the Perfect Moment

We wait. We wait for the right time, the right feeling, the right alignment of stars. We tell ourselves “When I have more money. When I feel ready. When life calms down. When I’m less afraid.” But here’s the truth we don’t like to admit: The perfect...

Let’s Talk: What’s Really Keeping You Unhappy, Bitter, and Stuck

I’m gonna be real with you, a lot of the things that keep us unhappy, bitter, and broke aren’t random. They’re patterns we get stuck in, sometimes without even realizing it. I’ve been there. Mad at life, blaming everyone else, wondering why nothing ...

Don’t Hold Yourself Back

There comes a moment in life where the mirror doesn’t just show your reflection, it shows your hesitation. The dreams you’ve placed on pause. The fears that whisper, “Not yet.” But hear me when I say this: the greatest weight you’ll ever carry is th...

When Growth Demands Goodbye

There is a quiet ache that comes with growth— not the kind you feel in your bones or your muscles, but the kind that seeps into the soul. It arrives when you realize that the people you once thought would stand beside you forever cannot walk with th...

Why Do You Keep Doing What Doesn’t Serve You?

We move through our days on autopilot, repeating the same steps, the same words, the same choices— rarely pausing to ask why. Why do you do the things that you do? Do they water your growth, or do they drain the roots beneath you? Do they lift your ...

You Are Stronger Than Your Battles

The battles you’ve faced do not define you. Yes, they’ve left marks. They’ve stretched you, tested you, and at times felt like they would break you. But they are not the sum of who you are. You are not your scars. You are not the moments that tried ...

When the Chips Are Stacked Against You

There are seasons in life where it feels like you’re swinging at the wind — fighting battles you didn’t ask for, carrying weight you never thought you could hold. Every step forward feels like a step through mud. Every victory, no matter how small, ...

Who I Am Now

Life has a way of testing you when you least expect it, sometimes through loss, sometimes through growth, and often through both at the same time. Right now, I’m somewhere in between those two places. I’ve spent the last year rebuilding, not just my...

Your Presence Is Power: Rising With Heart Through Every Storm

There’s something sacred about showing up, especially when no one’s watching. It’s easy to share our wins. It’s easy to speak from the mountain. But what about those mornings when the weight of life feels like it might bury you? What about the quiet...

Embracing the Beauty of Becoming

Sometimes, we forget just how far we’ve come. We get so focused on where we think we should be, that we overlook the quiet ways we’re growing, healing, and evolving right here and now. If that’s you today, this is your reminder: The person you are i...

Healing in the Hidden: Why the Quiet Seasons Matter More Than You Think

There are seasons where everything slows down. Not by choice but by circumstance. The momentum fades, clarity blurs, and what once made sense no longer does. It feels like life pressed pause, and you’re just… stuck in the silence. But I’ve learned s...

The Love I Was Always Searching For

It’s wild when I look back, how hard I used to try to earn the kind of love I now realize I was supposed to give myself. The appreciation. The understanding. The feeling of being chosen… without hesitation. I spent a long time trying to prove I was ...

The Beauty of Growth: Inviting Wonders into Your Life Like Never Before

There’s something sacred about growth, especially the kind that comes from within. It doesn’t always look glamorous or feel easy, but the more I allow myself to evolve through honesty, loss, and purpose, the more I see how life meets me with wonders...

Why Emotional Intelligence is the Silent Power We All Deserve to Pursue

There’s something sacred about the desire to grow — not for status, not for applause, but for peace. Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is one of those quiet superpowers that rarely makes headlines but transforms everything: how we lead, how we love, ho...

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Poetic Reflections

Raw words. Real emotions. Soul reminders to carry with you.

The Walk With Me series is a growing digital collection of poetic reflections and inner truths, written for anyone walking through grief, growth, or spiritual awakening.

These aren’t just poems, they’re checkpoints on your healing journey. They’re quiet moments with your soul.

Walk With Me

Let's Connect

You’re not meant to do this alone.

Have questions, need support, or just want to share your heart? Reach out, your message matters.

You can also connect with us on Instagram: @laheartdesiress

Inspire. Empower. Educate.

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Inspire. Empower. Educate. ⋆