An Inspired Chat with La Kia A. Gooch of East Hollywood

We recently had the chance to connect with La Kia A. Gooch and have shared our conversation below.

Hi La Kia A., 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 is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
When I moved from Delaware to Los Angeles years ago, I made a promise to myself that I would always return home to celebrate my Grandmother’s birthday. Every November, I travel back to Delaware to spend time with my family and honor her special day. This year is especially meaningful; she is turning 100 years young. I could not be more grateful or joyful to have the opportunity to celebrate such an extraordinary milestone with her. Being able to see her, kiss her forehead, and share in this moment reminds me of the power of legacy, love, and family connection.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is La Kia A. Gooch. I am a Broadcast Media Executive, Author, and the Founder of STAND4Something Media Group Ltd., the parent company of multiple social impact brands focused on wellness, leadership, and creative entrepreneurship. My work sits at the intersection of storytelling, accessibility, and innovation.

I am the author of FRSH SQZD: 50 Years, 50 Recipes, 1 Juicy Book, a celebration of color, determination, and healing through food. The book is a reflection of my life’s journey and my belief that food is both medicine and memory. Each recipe honors a chapter of personal growth and the beauty of transformation.

In parallel, I lead The Providence Initiative, a workforce development and creative training program designed to support Veterans, Disabled Creatives, and Military Families. Our goal is to bridge wellness education with meaningful employment through media, storytelling, and entrepreneurship. What makes my work unique is that everything I create is built with accessibility, authenticity, and social impact at its core. My story is one of endurance, and every project I lead carries that same spirit of perseverance and purpose.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My Grandmother is a Stoic Matriarch who has had an immense influence on who I am and how I see myself. She played a strong hand in raising all of her Grand and Great Grandchildren. When I was young, she would read the Bible to me and often sing “This Little Light of Mine.” Many of the parables were lost on me as a child, but their meaning grew deeper with time.

My Grandmother has always encouraged me to use my voice, to stand firmly in my beliefs, and to leave every situation better than I found it. Her strength, grace, and unwavering faith have shaped my character and the way I move through the world. I am truly blessed to have such a Spectacular Elder in my life whose wisdom continues to guide and inspire me every day.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Loss has an interesting way of revealing where our emotional deficits lie. I have suffered immensely during this lifetime with the loss of my closest friends, my Baby Brother, and my Father. I did not realize that I had been avoiding the process of grief until it was too late. I carried an enormous burden, feeling as though it had been dropped on me without warning, and for a long time I was unable to move beyond it.

Seeking grief counseling became a turning point in my life. Speaking openly with a professional and allowing myself to feel each emotion helped me release years of suppressed pain. Through that process, I discovered that vulnerability is a superpower. It taught me that courage does not mean concealing pain but transforming it into purpose. Today, I lead with love and follow through with intention, always allowing space for honesty and emotional transparency.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
My Mother is unequivocally the most beautiful Spirit you could ever encounter. She has a heart that radiates kindness, an eternal optimism, and a steadfast belief in giving others the benefit of the doubt. Her compassion is boundless, and she has always been my North Star when it comes to community service and giving back.

Growing up, she was the neighborhood Mom. Our home was always filled with laughter, friends, and the comforting sense that everyone belonged. My Mother shows up for people even when it costs her personally, and that selflessness has been one of my greatest lessons. She is my example of how to be a Good Human and how to pour into others without expectation. I aspire to one day shine as brightly as she does. Until then, I am deeply grateful to have her light guiding me.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Vulnerability is a Super Power. Life’s most difficult experiences can lead us to believe that protecting our emotions is the best way to avoid pain. Yet, I have learned that leaning into our emotions and allowing ourselves to be seen, especially during times of hurt or uncertainty, is where real strength lives.

True success is not achieved through perfection or pretense, but through the courage to show up as your whole self. Vulnerability invites connection, empathy, and understanding. It softens the edges of conflict and opens the door for healing in ways that cannot be orchestrated.

Allow your intuition to guide you, and choose wisely whom you share your gentler parts with. Everything is not for everyone, but authenticity has a magnetic power of its own. Showing up fully, even when it feels uncomfortable, always yields greater alignment and peace. Do it scared.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stand4somethingmedia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illz_og
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/la-kia-a-gooch-99253984?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/illz_og
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illzog
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@twicebakedlive?si=RQxx6y1sPlMTALyE
• Other: www.medicalmilitia.org
  www.medicalmilitia.mn.co
  www.houseograndeur.com