BY KARIN DAVIS-THOMPSON, Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG — Lola B. Morgan said she truly believes she is walking in her purpose.
It started with her first book, “The Butterfly and the Bully,” a workbook with positive reinforcements to help children who have experienced trauma develop better coping mechanisms.
Along with using positive affirmations to develop confidence and better self-esteem, the book encourages children to journal to help them build the skills they need to deal with difficulties that would be hard for an adult to manage and even more difficult for a child.
“I wanted to use my testimony to let people know they have the power to advocate for themselves,” she said. “I wanted them to know that you don’t have to hurt others because you were hurt.”
“The Butterfly and the Bully,” for children ages five and up, started a movement for Morgan and the realization that what she had to say could make a difference for someone else.
“That book was the catalyst,” she revealed. “It birthed a lot of things for me. I ended up writing a trauma-informed tool and didn’t realize it until after I had written it.”
She said her book also encouraged her to make sure that children of color could see themselves in the book with illustrations that embraced representation and a character she based on a family member.
But along with the chance to reach children dealing with trauma, “The Butterfly and the Bully” started her on her own journey of finding her purpose and the opportunity to make that purpose her full-time job with her company: A Griot’s Corner.
In her business, she works with clients 13-18 and 33-50, providing support, guidance and helping them find emotional and mental freedom. She offers life coaching and conducts corporate workshops around mindset management.
Along the way, Morgan has become a certified life coach and a mental health first aid instructor, teaching participants how to assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis, much like people are taught CPR to help someone in need.
The 35-year-old said doing this work has been the most rewarding thing she’s ever done.
“During the time that I was writing my book, I was working in property management; I wasn’t working in this field, she said. “But now, I feel like I am right where I need to be.”
Morgan feels being right where she needs to be means the chance to do transformational work for her clients.
Not only is she proud of individuals that come to her for guidance, but she appreciates companies willing to invest in the mental health of their employees.
“To know that businesses are ready to help employees in that way and I can be a part of that is so rewarding,” she said. “This path has been affirmative for me in a lot of different ways. I am grateful for the chance to operate in my calling. I don’t want to do anything else.”
To learn more about A Griot’s Corner, visit www.agriotscorner.com. Also, visit Greenbooktb.com to find more Black-owned businesses to support.
This highlight is a part of the Green Book of Tampa Bay business owner spotlight. The Green Book is a local directory connecting Black-owned businesses with the broader community.
