HBB Star – Dr. LaTracey McDonald

We love catching up with the movers and shakers in our Huntsville community and today we had the opportunity to connect with Dr. LaTracey McDonald. Check out our conversation below:

Hello Dr. LaTracey, tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from, what’s your upbringing?

Hello all, I was raised in Minneapolis, MN and being the oldest of 5, my mother was the epitome of resilience. Being the first in the family to graduate, I became the blueprint and trailblazer for not only my family but the world.

What inspired you to start your own business?

Singing… lonely, I am so lonely, I have nobody for my own, I am so lonely! You have felt this way at some point in your life. I needed somebody to call my own, so I created just that for US! I am Dr. LaTracey, the Iconic Melanated Creator of the online tribe, Black Authors Rock Community. B.A.R. equips, empowers and edifies. Doesn’t that make you feel inclusive?

What is unique about your business? Tell us a bit more.

Black Authors Rock, is a full-service coaching, consulting, publishing firm and bookstores. Marginalized for having diversity in literacy in southern Mississippi, the nonprofit arm, B.A.R. Arts Collective was brought into existence. Being an unrepresented author reminded me so much of how I grew up being labeled disadvantaged with the physical and mental limitations that I couldn’t do anything about. This is where my story began!

What have been your biggest challenges, and how have you overcome them?

Being a Published Author of 46 books and having supported over 120 others to publish theirs, I knew first hand what being lonely felt like. With less than 6% of Black and Brown people being published authors, inclusivity was vital. Why does it have to be BLACK is the question I am often asked? Well, why not? We aren’t prohibiting others from being a part. Supporting black authors on the journey to literary equality is our mission. I created exactly what we needed! We needed ways to persevere through our pain to purpose while profiting from it. This is why this global movement can’t be constricted but celebrated in the Rocket City as well as on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where it all began. Starting from the bottom now we are here!

If you could speak to your younger self, just starting out, what advice would you give him/her?

Be your authentic self unapologetically! With the many titles I’ve attained, I still didn’t think I was enough! Don’t despise small beginnings. It’s okay… it’s gonna cost you something; do it anyway!

What’s your dream/the end game?

To turn my pain into my purpose while making it profitable for not only myself but my legacy! My dream is to be the catalyst for change through the arts. I desire to have the financial freedom to create jobs and businesses for others to attain the same.

What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?

Dream big! Write it down and execute! Open your mouth and ask for help! You never know where your YES will come from! If you do receive a NO just remember that means next opportunity! You are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

Thank you Dr. LaTracey for taking the time to chat with us!