High-touch. High-integrity. Built for leaders.
Whole Without Compromise
I'm Latoya De'Shaun, M.Ed.—Self-Possession Strategist, Speaker, and Woman of God. I help high-performance leaders stop chasing external validation and start leading from internal authority and God-given authority—so success no longer costs them themselves.
My framework is designed for Black women, but I also serve high-performance women of all backgrounds and partner with organizations through keynotes, workshops, and leadership development programs.
You've Checked Every Box—But At What Cost?
You're the reliable one. The strong one. The one everyone counts on. On paper, you're succeeding.
But inside? You're running on empty. Burnt out from overgiving. Numb from performing. Disconnected from yourself—mistaking sacrifice for love, and busyness for worth.
Here's what no one tells high-performing women:
You're not burnt out from doing too much. You're burnt out from abandoning yourself while doing it.
I'm Latoya De'Shaun, M.Ed.—Self-Possession Strategist, Speaker, and Woman of God. I teach self-possession—the ability to lead, create, and succeed from internal governance and God-given authority, not approval or urgency.
For over a decade, I've worked behind the curtain with high-profile clients—award-winning actors like Mahershala Ali, professional athletes like Nneka Ogwumike, cultural movement leaders like Patrisse Cullors (co-founder of Black Lives Matter), and global brands like Vogue, Time, and MAC Cosmetics. I wasn't just doing makeup—I was coaching them through nerves, uncertainty, and pressure in the moments that mattered most.
I know the pressure. I know the trade-offs. I know the impossible decisions. I know what it costs to perform at the highest level. And I know how to guide you back to yourself—without dimming your ambition or impact.
Through private coaching, workshops, and keynotes, I help high-performing women stop disappearing inside their own success.
This isn't surface-level healing. It's a sacred disruption.
If you're done performing for others and ready to operate from who you actually are—not who you think you need to be—let's talk.
What is Self-Possession?
Self-possession is the ability to be internally governed—not by approval, urgency, or fear, but by your values, your identity, and your God-given authority.
It means:
- You belong to yourself—your decisions aren't outsourced to expectations, guilt, or obligation.
- You hold boundaries without guilt or over-explaining—because they come from conviction, not performance.
- You can sit in tension without scrambling to fix it, defend yourself, or make others comfortable.
- You lead from identity, not performance—from who you are, not who you think you need to be.
Self-possession isn't about becoming harder or louder. It's about becoming anchored.
And once you're anchored, your life reorganizes itself around that truth.
Self-possession is the shift from:
Reacting → Deciding
Performing → Standing
Managing perception → Honoring truth
People-pleasing → Self-stewarding
How Can I Help?
Ready to Reclaim What You Gave Away? Here’s What Happens Next:
Private Coaching
One-on-one strategic mentorship for high-profile women ready to operate from internal governance—so success no longer costs them themselves.
Workshops & Masterclasses
Transformative group experiences—for teams, organizations, and cohorts of high-performing women—focused on self-possession, boundaries, and operating from internal governance.
Keynotes & Speaking
I deliver keynotes for conferences, corporate events, and leadership summits—drawing on over a decade behind the curtain with high-profile clients to teach self-possession, internal governance, and sustainable high performance.
Client Success Stories
*Testimonials displayed on this website represent real experiences from actual clients. However, these testimonials do not guarantee that you will achieve the same or similar results.
Ifunanya Nweke, Nonprofit/Education
Latoya was honest, direct, and relatable. Her personal examples helped me see what was holding me back, and it all clicked. Her mentorship continues to remind me that living a fulfilling life simply means living with intention.
Sherrye D. Player-Tucker, Makeup Artist
I was stuck trying to figure out my next move—until working with Latoya helped me see I was the wall. Her mentorship taught me to trust the process, take a real chance on myself, and let God lead.
Shoshana Muhammad, Technical Editor/Writer
Working with Latoya felt like mental soul coaching. She woke me up from autopilot, helped me rediscover my spirituality, and sparked real motivation in my life. Now, I wake up excited for what’s next.
Empowering Resources
The Self-Abandonment Assessment
High-performing women aren't burnt out from doing too much—they're burnt out from abandoning themselves while doing it. Download this free guide to identify the signs and discover what self-possession looks like.
ReDefineHer Community
A sacred community for high-achieving Black women reclaiming internal authority and building lives from conviction—not obligation. Connect with women who lead from identity, hold boundaries without guilt, and refuse to abandon themselves for success.
Immersive Personal Development Retreats
Join retreats designed for high-performing women ready to reclaim internal governance and build lives rooted in identity, not performance. Reconnect with yourself, gain clarity, and step into the next chapter—whole without compromise.
Ready to Activate This in Your Community?
Let’s Create a Custom Workshop or Keynote That Sparks Bold Action
Not sure where to start?
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Connect With Latoya De'Shaun
I'd would love to stay in touch along the way.
The information provided by Patent Leather Project, Inc. (“we,” “our,” or “us”) on this website, through coaching programs, downloadable resources, emails, blog posts, podcast episodes, social media, workshops, events, or any other content is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as professional advice. While we offer spiritual and strategic guidance, we are not licensed therapists, medical professionals, attorneys, or financial advisors. For specific concerns, always seek professional advice that fits your needs.