Welcome to the premiere episode of the Mentors and Moguls podcast with your host, Heather Stone! Today’s guest is the lovely LaTasha Wilson Batch. Latasha is the executive director of the Best of the Batch Foundation, a 20-year-old educational-based organization that impacts more than 3,800 children across 8 counties in Pennsylvania.

A concept that LaTasha and her foundation are built on is prioritizing what kids love to do. By going back to basics, they landed on a basketball program. They were able to establish a family environment and cultivate a community by offering the program for free and in the evening hours when parents may still be working. The trick was, in order to play in the league, you need to attend a study hall. So, to play, you need to read!

When times were difficult, LaTasha is reminded of her purpose when she gets that hug when she first sees the children she is helping. That little extra light is what keeps her going after all these years. Even on the worst days, she knows she is there to help children grow into successful, intelligent, motivated adults no matter the situation they are in. Attending the college graduation of former program-goers and hearing that they want to return to volunteer is the foundation of what has made the organization so impactful.

When she looks back at all the lives shes effected, the first word that comes to mind is “complete.” It’s a cycle--negativity can breed the same. For her, it’s about breaking that cycle and starting a new one--children growing up and coming back to mentor more children.

LaTasha talks about more of the incredible programs the Best of the Batch Foundation provides and offers her wisdom on how she keeps the success rolling in.

What You’ll Learn

On today’s episode, LaTasha fills us in who her foundation is, it’s principles, how it operates, and what programs they offer. She also shares the wisdom she’s gained from running such an incredible organization for the past 20 years and the profound impact it has on the children in her area.

 

LINKS

http://batchfoundation.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/latashawilsonbatch/

Twitter: @lamay34