02/06/2023
Introducing to some, and presenting to others, our Lead Consultant and CEO, LaKesha Lightfoot.
Today I celebrate my birthday and reflect on my journey to getting to this point. As a little girl from Port Arthur, TX growing up in a single-parent home; hard work and excellence were instilled in me as young as 3. My grandmother worked hard cleaning the homes of city officials and lawyers. My mother worked shift work like many parents in our city at the local refinery. My daddy worked shift work in the refineries in Houston. I come from a family of hardworking providers.
I was the little black girl that went to a catholic school Monday through Friday and attended a Baptist church service on Sunday. LOL. Faith and foundation were my everyday teaching.
I didn't play "the favorite" childhood games or knew any nursery rhymes. So, I was very determined, had great decision making skills, and was structured to say the least. So, imagine the culture shock going into the public school system during a transitional moment in every double digit child's life.
I didn't fit in, (still don't). I spoke differently from the other children, I dressed differently from the other children, I learned that my skin tone mattered pertaining to my blackness or should I say, lack thereof. I learned at an early age to be OKAY with sticking out. That others wouldn't understand you or your praise. Oh, but I had a praise on the inside of me.
However, I attempted to assimilate and it resulted in being expelled from school. Whew child...my momma was 🤬🤬🤬 and that's putting it mildly. LOL
I gathered myself, went back to doing my own thing, kept my head down, and out of trouble. Graduated high school and off to college, because college was my only choice...my mother did not play those games with me.
I moved to "the big city" a few days after graduation and before August of 1998 hit, I was living on my own in an apartment, when I'd never spent more than a week without adult supervision. I went to UHD for one semester but realized quickly that I needed more income to pay my bills. Therefore, I made the choice to drop out of school and work 2 jobs. I had a support system but I wanted to do as much as possible on my own.
The next course of life gave me many tangible life lessons...I became what I believed was my parents biggest disappointment 😞...I moved into the projects and became a single parent. I didn't have a college degree, matter of fact I think I only had 9 college hours when I found out I was pregnant with my son. You see I had just gone back to college because I knew I wanted better and my mother said to me "hold on Kesha, things are getting better". Then I bring a baby into the mix, yep my parents were livid.
Now, I have a different purpose and I'm in school, again, full-time...earned a certificate so I could get a better...school is a slow crawl now. Got a better job, but childcare, working full-time, and trying to figure out how to be a mother to someone😳...it was just too much! Depression set in and had me in a chokehold...School was definitely out of the question.
A few years pass, life is comfortable for my son and I but again I know this is not enough, back to school I go to finish my associates degree. During this school term I learn how to do taxes, long form(thank God for technology and tax software) in my accounting class.
Skip a few years, love my job, received several promotions and pay increases...life is good...Depression showed up again...parenting was my archnemesis. Lord I thank you for a village and support system. I had to get my strength restored and my mother allowed me to do so, guilt free. Now, I had too much time on my hands, so what do I do? Back to school I go...I am determined and focused to show my son, whatever thing you begin, you bring it to an end. My Baccalaureate was my end and I had to do it. I had to take accounting I & II...which reminded me I already knew tax law and why The IRS moves the way they do.
I did nothing with this knowledge besides talking to family and friends about it. Told them to prepare their returns. Never understood the value I was sitting on. A friend got into the industry and I was floored to understand how quickly and vastly the taxation industry was. I still didn't move.
2017, in the height of battling one of my worst episodes, I woke up one morning and went to the county clerk's office and got my DBA. RK Preparations and Consulting Firm, LLC., become what I threw ALL of my tears, heartache, frustration, feelings of uncertainty, and unworthiness into.
I'm determined to see it to the end because whatever I begin, I shall see it completed.
I'm looking forward to 43 and all it has inspired me to do. We are growing by clients and team members and God is at the steering wheel of this ship. If I, with all of my twists and turns in life can push on, know that you can too. If you need someone on your team to motivate and encourage you, contact me today at 346-230-4945. [email protected]
See you at the finish line!
