The first college graduate in a family of six. LaQuana grew up in a home where college was a dream, not an assumption, and she became the first of six children to walk across a graduation stage. She did it through networking, mentors, and sheer persistence, learning early that who you know and how you advocate for yourself can open doors that grades alone cannot. That experience planted a deep conviction that young people need both opportunity and a guide who believes in them.

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Every setback became a setup for something greater. Throughout her journey as a student and then as a professional, life did not unfold in a straight line. There were detours, disappointments, and times when “no” seemed like the final answer. Instead of stopping, she treated each obstacle as information about where she needed to grow next. This mindset shaped her work as a school counselor and career facilitator, where she taught students that perseverance is not pretending things are easy, it is learning to keep moving with support, strategy, and faith in your own abilities.

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Her son, his struggles with reading, and a story called Ray of Sunshine. When her own son struggled to learn to read at an early age, LaQuana experienced the education system from the parent side, feeling the frustration, worry, and fierce desire to see her child thrive. Her career working with the military meant frequent moves and new schools, and the one constant in her son’s world was his dog and the encouragement he received at home. That season inspired her to write a children’s book to speak to him, called Ray of Sunshine, which follows a boy who travels from place to place while learning that his feelings matter, his voice is heard, and he can grow through challenge with the right support.

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From one family’s story to a mission for many. Watching her son find his footing, return to a college job that valued him, and step into adulthood confirmed what she had seen in hundreds of students before him: with guidance, perseverance, and practical tools, young people can rise above circumstances that once felt overwhelming or impossible. Rise Above the Multitudes Consulting was born from that blend of professional experience and personal story. Today, LaQuana uses what she learned in her own family to help other students, parents, and organizations build pathways where students feel seen, prepared, and ready to take their next step.