Ms. Latesha Higgs
CEO/The DIVA Effect, Inc.
Program Director/DIVA Dolls
Latesha Higgs, a native of Baltimore, MD and mother of two, is the founder and CEO of The DIVA Effect, Inc. and the program coordinator of its girls mentoring program, DIVA Dolls. From her grandfather, the late Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Higgs, she observed, learned and recognized the importance of community uplift and empowerment. She witnessed his genuine love, respect and compassion for others and dreamed of one day continuing his legacy of servant leadership by helping and strengthening others and their communities.
Adhering closely to the scripture Philippians 2:4, “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others”, servant leadership is the philosophy that helps govern Latesha's life. Having overcome teen pregnancy, divorce, mental health battles, sexual assault and other trials, in 2015 she boldly embarked on a journey to discover ways of helping other women and girls overcome their current trials by using a holistic approach to address the needs of the mind, body, and spirit. In 2016, with the collaborative efforts of her sister, April Henderson, she eventually launched The DIVA Effect, Inc. In 2018, the organization’s after-school program for girls grades 3-6, DIVA Dolls, was born. This mentoring program grooms and raises young girls to be servant leaders of the community by first teaching them how to develop healthy habits of the mind, body, and spirit. In addition to monthly community service projects and activities, this program features weekly fun and engaging sessions for girls and monthly sessions for their parents. In May of 2019, the organization became one of multiple Community Champions for Maryland’s 2019 Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign and hosted a number of free activities and events during Children’s Mental Health Awareness week.
Currently, Latesha is an educator in Baltimore City and a graduate student of Morgan State University’s City and Regional Planning Program. She’s also a mental health advocate and as an official In Our Own Voice presenter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), she often speaks at various events sharing her lived experiences managing a mood disorder as well as the story of her brother’s death by suicide. In addition to her membership in NAMI, Latesha is a member of many other community and civic organizations including the Baltimore City Commission of Women and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Ms. Latesha Higgs is available for public speaking engagements and can be reached through our social media sites or our online contact form (tab above).
Adhering closely to the scripture Philippians 2:4, “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others”, servant leadership is the philosophy that helps govern Latesha's life. Having overcome teen pregnancy, divorce, mental health battles, sexual assault and other trials, in 2015 she boldly embarked on a journey to discover ways of helping other women and girls overcome their current trials by using a holistic approach to address the needs of the mind, body, and spirit. In 2016, with the collaborative efforts of her sister, April Henderson, she eventually launched The DIVA Effect, Inc. In 2018, the organization’s after-school program for girls grades 3-6, DIVA Dolls, was born. This mentoring program grooms and raises young girls to be servant leaders of the community by first teaching them how to develop healthy habits of the mind, body, and spirit. In addition to monthly community service projects and activities, this program features weekly fun and engaging sessions for girls and monthly sessions for their parents. In May of 2019, the organization became one of multiple Community Champions for Maryland’s 2019 Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign and hosted a number of free activities and events during Children’s Mental Health Awareness week.
Currently, Latesha is an educator in Baltimore City and a graduate student of Morgan State University’s City and Regional Planning Program. She’s also a mental health advocate and as an official In Our Own Voice presenter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), she often speaks at various events sharing her lived experiences managing a mood disorder as well as the story of her brother’s death by suicide. In addition to her membership in NAMI, Latesha is a member of many other community and civic organizations including the Baltimore City Commission of Women and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Ms. Latesha Higgs is available for public speaking engagements and can be reached through our social media sites or our online contact form (tab above).