‘Know Your Worth’, the simple phrase that Latanya Maynard has repeated as a domestic abuse survivor and victims’ advocate then turned into a brand, was recently recognized by the Black Excellence Awards Gala in Jacksonville, Florida.
“I can’t even begin to explain what it feels like to be named Best Boss Brand Apparel winner,” said Maynard. “Know Your Worth was never about winning an award. It was always about reiterating the message that you find the strength to leave harmful relationships when you finally know and understand you are worth so much more than what your abuser manipulates you into thinking. I started putting the words on a simple t-shirt and now we carry fitness wear, dresses, skirts, home decor and even jewelry. It’s one thing to want to reiterate a message but a totally different thing when people support you and you are invited to go to different states to set up your booth.”
Maynard, who is originally from Eleuthera, The Bahamas, said the Know Your Worth brand was birthed from her personal survivor story and reflecting on growing up in a home where there was abuse. She said that she had to learn to heal first before helping others.
The author of ‘All Hope Is Not Lost’, Maynard is an Edward Waters University graduate with a BA in Criminal Justice and an MA in Community Counseling. She said it is her duty to continue to speak for those who may not have the chance to lift their voice.
“I am very disheartened to see so many people, especially mothers end up dead as a result of domestic violence,” said Maynard. “In the past few weeks, I have seen so many stories from home and here where women have tried to get help but enablers who knew of the situation were not a great help and law enforcement failed. Now there are children who will grow up motherless not realizing that their mothers were simply trying to get away or were threatened if they made an attempt to leave. We do need to do better as a village when it comes to domestic violence. We can’t just wait for something to happen, hold a candlelight vigil and move on in a week when entire lives have changed forever. We must remind them to know their worth at every chance.”
For more information visit www.shopknowyourworth.com
By Arthia Nixon, The Ambassador Agency
