An Inspired Chat with LaTanya Sherman of Skid Row

We recently had the chance to connect with LaTanya Sherman and have shared our conversation below.

Hi LaTanya, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Intelligence is the most important because it equips you with the knowledge needed to understand the importance of having integrity as well as knowing how to improve your energy levels when needed. It is the key to learning, understanding, and growth!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am LaTanya Denise Sherman, the Founder and Executive Director for Project Educate. We are a grass roots non profit serving the homeless community of Skid Row with creative and innovative solutions to address the devastating crisis known as homelessness. In 2025 we launched two new initiatives. The first is Hope & Hygiene to address period poverty for homeless women. Each month we provide sanitary, hygiene, toiletry, and grooming supplies to women. They also receive mental health services, nutrition, and other vital resources at the James Wood Community Center. The second is Cuts & Convo to address the needs of our homeless Veterans. We provide free haircuts, hygiene, nutrition, and above all social Wellness to eliminate the loneliness and isolation that most Veterans in homeless shelters face. In addition to these two new initiatives we host a variety of events that are “Teaching People How To Live, In Spite Of Where They Live” .
Our EDUCATE = Empowering Disadvantaged Underserved Communities All Through Education.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I would have to say in 1981 being elected as the Associated Student Body President at Lynwood High School in my senior year, superseding my brother, Carl W. Sherman, Jr., who was the previous year’s ASB President. It not only felt powerful having that position but being the second African American female to be elected and having a cover story in the Lynwood Wave that featured me, my brother, and my father, Carl W.Sherman, Sr., who was a well known and prominent lawyer, not to mention the only African American attorney in the city.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
How to be resilient! More importantly, it taught me a different way of understanding empathy, humility, and humanity. It restored my faith and the hope that came with it. Taught me the true meaning of “What doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger”. To be patient and NEVER give up on your dreams, hopes, and wishes.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Project EDUCATE! It seeks to exemplify the much-needed change in response to Los Angeles’s homeless tragedy. Project EDUCATE envisions communities in which all of its residents have access to humane and dignified housing conditions and basic necessities for their sustainment. African Americans make up approximately 9% of the population in Los Angeles County but more than 35% of the homeless population. These are more than just numbers and percentages. These are people. Our neighbors. Families. Mothers. Fathers. Children. Each homeless individual represents an abundance of lost potential for the betterment of our communities and nation’s future.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Definitely doing what I was born to do and being the change I want to see in the world. My work brings me more joy than I can explain or express. It is aligned with my natural talents and core values. It is my passion for giving and helping others that gives me all the energy I need to fulfill its mission. When work has a true impact, doesn’t feel like work, and everything comes naturally. and all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, I believe it is what you were born to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.4Projecteducate.org
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/4projecteducate
• Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/Project Educate
• Twitter: https://Twitter.com/ProjectEducate3
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/ProjectEducate
• Youtube: youtube.com/Project Educate (@4Projecteducate)
• Other: TikTok.com/Project Educate (@4Projecteducate)