Written by Leia Neely for the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) NC State campus chapter fall newsletter
LaTosha Bradley was born and raised in Miami, Florida as the youngest of five grandkids. Her undergraduate journey began at the University of Miami. Bradley then transferred to Florida A&M where she received her B.A. of Arts & B.A. of Psychology. From there she went back to Miami for law school at St. Thomas University College of Law.
In her position at NC State, Bradley helps create and facilitate CALS Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) programming to promote a safe climate on campus and help break down any barriers facing minorities.
We are proud to call Bradley a supporter of MANRRS through her efforts at ODI.
Q: What did you learn/take from your experiences during undergrad?
A: At UVM resources were vast and varied which put less obstacles in my way. But at Florida A&M the benefit I experienced from that environment was that I learned to love myself. I learned the importance of confidence and being assured of who you are. I think students and people in general never get to see both sides of that.
Q: What brought you to NC State?
A: What led me to NC State was that I was looking for a job, and I wanted to apply for a title that said diversity. My son’s godmother had suggested I move to N.C. during the 2008 recession after losing my job in Broward County. One of the major desires for any work I’m doing is that I would love to be doing something meaningful.
Q: What challenges have you faced in your position at ODI? And what improvements do you hope to see be made?
A: The challenge that first comes to mind is helping everyone to see, acknowledge, or become aware of what the diversity call to action should be. And my hope is that we start to as a college, university, institution, define diversity as multiple underdeveloped groups that feel safe amongst this dominant group. What I hope to be able to accomplish is making being involved in the promoting and sustaining of diversity essential to success.
Q: What do you hope to see come out of the relationship you are building with MANRRS?
A: We want to build this student organization up with opportunities to be in places that get the word out. That way you can access the resources that NC State has and still create a community for yourself here that will allow you to grow as you learn. We want MANRRS to be a very visible, attainable resource.
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