Life & Work with Lariesha Lee of Grand Rapids

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lariesha Lee.

Lariesha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m originally from Idlewild, MI (yeah I’m from the Wild). I was 17 years old when I got pregnant. At the time, I was Miss Lake County a pageant queen, an athlete, and a girl with big dreams. I played sports every season and had my eyes set on a bright future. But overnight, everything changed. I didn’t understand my body, didn’t know my options, and felt so incredibly alone.

People around me encouraged abortion, but something in me knew that wasn’t the right path. So I chose to keep my baby not realizing what that decision would cost me.

By the age of 23, I had three children, no college degree, no stable job, and no consistent support. My boyfriend now husband and I were young, trying to raise a family without a roadmap. We were learning how to be parents while still figuring out how to be adults. I felt caught between surviving motherhood and becoming the woman I knew I was meant to be. It was overwhelming.

I hit rock bottom and decided: I want more. I want healing.

I had tried college several times straight after high school and again in my early 20s but I didn’t do well and eventually dropped out. When I finally felt emotionally and mentally ready to succeed, I applied to be readmitted into GRCC. Because of financial aid suspension, I was denied. I appealed again still denied. It wasn’t until over two years later, after submitting another appeal, that I was finally approved to attend.

I remember being told that I wasn’t capable of college-level work. That hurt deeply. But I didn’t stop trying.

Church became a turning point for me. Madison Square Church lifted me up, spiritually and emotionally. I leaned into community and support services. That’s when the tide began to turn.

After a little over a year, I completed my Associate of Arts degree from GRCC. Then I transferred to Grand Valley State University, where I earned my Bachelor of Social Work in just one year. I didn’t stop there—I went on to earn my Master of Social Work through the Advanced Standing program at GVSU.

During my graduate internship, I worked so hard and showed so much passion that I was hired as Assistant Director at the very place I served GVSU’s Center for Women & Gender Equity. I’ve now held that position for the past four years, supporting students, leading gender equity initiatives, and building spaces for healing and empowerment.

Now, I’m stepping into a new chapter. I’m transitioning into full-time entrepreneurship as a Clinical Therapist at Inner Fitness Counseling & Wellness and launching my nonprofit, LeadHERship Impact. This organization is built from my lived experience it provides culturally responsive mentorship, identity development, and leadership enrichment for young Black women in Grand Rapids.

My journey has been anything but linear. I’ve faced rejection, hardship, and systems that weren’t designed for someone like me to succeed. But through faith, perseverance, and community I did more than succeed. I transformed.

I didn’t just go back to school I rebuilt my life. I didn’t just survive I stepped fully into purpose.

And now, everything I do is rooted in helping others see that they, too, can rise.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey hasn’t been easy. I’ve faced spaces that weren’t built for me places that, at times, have intentionally tried to shut me out. But I’ve continued to show up, speak up, and do what’s right, even when it’s uncomfortable. What’s kept me going is a deep sense of discipline, my faith, and the grounding presence of my family. Spiritually, I know I’m walking in purpose, and that gives me the strength to persevere. My family reminds me of my “why,” and discipline helps me stay focused when the road gets tough. Together, they’ve been my anchor in the midst of every challenge.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Clinical Therapist at Inner Fitness Counseling and Wellness Center, as well as a speaker and advocate committed to healing-centered work that nurtures the whole person mind, body, and spirit. I specialize in supporting adolescents, young adults, and women as they navigate life transitions, trauma, identity, and emotional wellness. My therapeutic approach integrates narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness, all through a culturally responsive and strengths-based lens.

I’m known for creating safe, affirming spaces whether in therapy sessions, workshops, or community programs where people, especially Black women and girls, feel seen, supported, and empowered to heal and grow. As the founder of LeadHERship Impact, a nonprofit organization, I’m dedicated to helping young Black women embrace their identity, strengthen their leadership skills, and thrive beyond systemic barriers.

What sets me apart is my ability to blend clinical insight with lived experience, grounded values, and a deep passion for community care. I don’t just provide services I cultivate relationships that spark healing and transformation. I’m most proud of the lives I’ve witnessed shift when clients rediscover their strength, when youth stand taller in their truth, and when systems begin to shift because we chose to show up and lead differently.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is growth and making an impact that lasts especially for my kids and for my community. I want to be the kind of person who plants seeds, even if I don’t see all the fruit. I’ve gone through a lot to get where I am, and I believe every struggle, every lesson, and every moment of growth can be used to help someone else rise.

I think about legacy like the roots of a tree something strong, grounded, and growing long after I’m gone. That’s what I hope to leave behind. I want the young women I work with to feel rooted in who they are, confident in their identity, and powerful in their voice.

And I think about the kids in our neighborhoods the ones growing up around violence and survival, not dreams. I want more for them. I want us to build communities where children can feel safe, where joy is expected, and where peace isn’t a luxury. I want us to dream something better for them and then actually do the work to make that dream real.

To me, legacy isn’t about titles or applause it’s about showing up. It’s about living with purpose, loving people well, and using whatever you’ve been through to help someone else grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/larieshalee
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/larieshalee