Latishia James (Purposefully LJ)

Latishia AV James is the Youth Program Coordinator at The Women’s Collective, a DC based nonprofit that provides prevention, care, and support services and advocates for the health and human rights of girls and women. The Women’s Collective meets the needs of low income women, girls and families living with/or at risk for HIV/AIDS and other STDs. Latishia has dedicated her life to assisting in the development, healing and empowerment of young girls, women and LGBTQ youth to reconcile their sexuality with their spirituality. In her capacity at The Women’s Collective, Latishia has grown the youth program department to viable programs in just under two years. Her passion and drive in supporting women and girls stems from her personal experiences; losing a mother to AIDS related illness and being a two time survivor of sexual assault. She uses her experiences to empower not only the women and girls she encounters day to day, but all women. Prior to The Women’s Collective she worked at the International Rescue Committee as an Americorps VISTA fellow where she crafted health education curricula and taught health workshops to newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers.

Outside of her “day job” Latishia is an advocate for the LGBTQ community fighting for the inclusion of transwomen in women’s programs as well as the LGBTQ movement as a whole. Latishia uses dance as a means of healing and expression of faith serving as the Dance Ministry Leader at Metropolitan Community Church DC. As a passion party consultant she instructs people on safe and healthy sex practices while educating through hands on demonstrations and emphasizing that safe sex can be pleasurable. She was recently accepted to Wesley Theological Seminary to pursue a Master of Divinity degree which will further her personal mission of holistic healing for all people regardless of ability, sex, gender, or health status.