Pressure is a Privilege

LaShunda Leslie-Smith

LaShunda Leslie-Smith, LMSW, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Services from St. John Fisher College, a Master’s in Social Work from the Greater Rochester Collaborative Master of Social Work Program, and a Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan College. LaShunda most recently served as the President and CEO of the Young Women’s College Prep Foundation, Inc., and is now the Executive Director of Connected Communities, a nonprofit whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty and revitalize the EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods of Rochester. LaShunda enjoys serving as a motivational speaker, workshop presenter, and conference keynote; she has shared her story of overcoming the challenges associated with becoming a mom at the young age of 14 all over the country. Recently LaShunda was named one of the Rochester Business Journal’s 40 under 40 honorees, and an ATHENA Young Professional finalist by the Women’s Council. LaShunda is blessed to share her life’s journey with her husband Moses and their two children, Branden and Myanna.

lashundalesliesmith.com
The Journey of A Teenage Mother Trailer

Selected Publications:
The Journey of a Teenage Mother: Struggle. Hope. Success.