By Tammy Reese | Monday, September 25, 2023 | 11:57 AM ET
Today, we bring you the remarkable story of Sophia A. Strother, who is a powerful example of defying the odds and rising above one’s circumstances. Like many of us, Sophia was shaped by her environment, but she refused to let it define her. Instead, she embraced her vision, her purpose, and her authority as a resilient Black business owner who has been featured on many platforms, including HGTV and Cosmopolitan.
If there were three ways to describe the phases in the life of Sophia A. Strother, they would be: LOSS OF INNOCENCE, PERSEVERANCE, and SURVIVE AND THRIVE. Strother’s childhood was filled with turmoil, including both parents falling prey to drug addiction, and sexual abuse at the age of nine, “ultimately being sexually trafficked by age 13 and becoming a mother by 15 by one of her mom’s dealers. After escaping at 15 with the help of her grandmother, the odds were stacked against her. However, Sophia did not take it lying down nor wished to become a statistic; she took the pain and used it as fuel to pull herself out of that dark place and become a voice for those who shared the same story. Sophia A. Strother is the founder of a multimillion-dollar company L2E. L2E Industries, LLC, is a premier courier service that is one of Amazon’s top contracted delivery service partners.
Sophia’s journey serves as a reminder that while our environments may influence us, they do not determine our destiny. We have the power to rewrite our narrative and create an environment that is conducive to wellness, growth, and peace.
We commend all that you have triumphed in your personal life and are deeply inspired by all you have accomplished in your professional life. Please tell us about your philanthropy work.
Sophia: In 2008, I founded Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition (EDKC), a nonprofit organization that managed a statewide awareness campaign on sexual abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking titled #GETLOUDGETOUT. My tireless efforts to raise awareness around domestic violence and sexual abuse led to being commissioned the “Yellow Rose of Texas Award” in 2016, the highest honor from the Governor bestowed to women with significant contributions to their community.
I have spoken at numerous conventions including the Global Human Sex Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Virtual Summit, the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault Conference, and the Light the Way Human Trafficking Conference hosted by The Texas Department of Family & Protective Services to name a few more recently. Also, I am a Board Member of Allies Against Slavery and the Facilitator for the Texas Human Trafficking Survivor Leadership Council.
What would you say is your passion or purpose?
Sophia: My passion is to rid the world of human trafficking along with enhancing communities one family at a time has led to me raising over $4 million dollars by assisting nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and small businesses through producing live events, grant writing, and crowdfunding.
What is your proudest business accomplishment?
Sophia: My proudest moments are hearing the testimonials from my team that they were able to buy their first home, get a new car, or start a family while working for L2E.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
Sophia: I will be hosting my first Learning 2 Exhale Symposium and Retreat October 20–22, 2023 at Lakeway Resort & Spa!
More on Sophia Strother
Sophia Strother is currently a doctoral candidate at Liberty University focusing on Public Policy — diving into the intersectionality of race and sexual trauma. She holds an MBA in Marketing and a BSBA in Business Management from American International College. Sophia believes that we have to have a holistic approach to success through your MIND, BODY, SOUL, and HOME. The Learning 2 Exhale Restoration Strategies gives everyone the blueprint to mapping out a true wealth journey that will allow you to sustain it through all of life’s lessons.
To connect with Sophia please visit http://www.sophiastrother.com/
Owner of Visionary Minds Public Relations and Media, Tammy Reese is an award-winning writer and journalist best known for landing major interviews with Angela Bassett, Sharon Stone, Sigourney Weaver, Laurence Fishburne, Geena Davis, Billy Porter, Morris Chestnut, Nelly, Mona Scott Young, Giancarlo Esposito, Luke Evans, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jennifer Connelly, Joseph Sikora, Meagan Good, Leon, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Phylicia Rashad, Omar Epps, Courtney Kemp, Vivica A Fox, Ryan Coogler, and so many more.
She is a proud member of ForbesBLK as well as New York Women in Film and Television.
Comments