Philosophy01
Rethinking Wellness
Why the standard biomedical model leaves out human joy, rest, and everyday fulfillment.
Essay Series Coming Soon
Community Builder
Big Ideas.
Bold Vision.
A Life Well-Lived.
I’m a public health professional, creator, and entrepreneur with a passion for exploring what makes life meaningful. I turn ideas into initiatives that bring people together, challenge conventional thinking, and create opportunities for a better quality of life.
Lakischa Smith, MPH
New Orleans, LA
Hello World
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Curious MindCreative SpiritPurposeful Work
a little about me
A Little About Me.
A Lot About What Drives Me.
I’m naturally curious about people, their experiences, and the world around us. I’ve always been interested in the things that shape our lives beyond what we can see on the surface.
My background in public health has given me a deeper understanding of how our environments, relationships, opportunities, and communities influence our well-being. I earned my Master of Public Health in Healthcare Management & Policy from Florida International University, and my bachelor’s degree in Allied Health from Dillard University.
But I’m also a creative thinker. I love bringing ideas to life, exploring possibilities, and creating things that I believe can make a difference. That combination of curiosity, creativity, and purpose is what drives my work — whether I’m building community spaces or designing tools to help us understand quality of life in a fuller way.
Behavioral Health AdministrationCommunity-Centered Public HealthSocial Determinants of HealthVenture Innovation
Foundations & Focus
Academic Rigor
Trained in healthcare management, policy, and allied health — and always learning.
Community Cultural Grounding
Born in Natchez, MS but deeply rooted in New Orleans since childhood, honoring culture, shared storytelling, and authentic relational health.
Systemic Perspective
Addressing the social and environmental structures that shape wellness, rather than shifting blame onto individuals.
Translational Entrepreneurship
Bridging evidence-informed frameworks with accessible real-world initiatives, tools, and experiences.
“
I don’t believe we’re here just to exist. We’re here to experience life.
— Lakischa Smith, MPH
Initiatives & Platforms
Things I’ve Dreamed Up & Brought to Life
Some of my ideas begin with a question. Others come from something I’ve experienced, witnessed, or wished existed. What connects them is my desire to create something meaningful.
New Orleans
Community • Culture • Connection
Roots of Healing Wellness
I created Roots of Healing Wellness out of a deep love for my community and a genuine desire to see African Americans experience a better quality of life.
I’ve always had a special place in my heart for women and young people. I care deeply about their experiences, the challenges they face, the opportunities available to them, and their ability to live fulfilling lives.
My vision for ROHW goes beyond traditional ideas of wellness. I believe our communities deserve more than conversations about healthy eating, exercise, and managing stress. We deserve meaningful relationships, cultural connection, opportunities to grow, spaces to be heard, and experiences that bring joy and purpose to our lives.
Through ROHW, I’m bringing that vision to life by creating spaces, programs, and experiences that strengthen connections, celebrate our culture, amplify our voices, and help our communities live well.
Because I don’t just want to see our communities survive. I want to see us thrive.
Explore ROHWInsights • Assessment • Public Health
QOLvita — Maternal Quality of Life Intelligence
I created QOLvita because I believe a mother’s quality of life deserves attention at every stage of motherhood — not just during pregnancy and postpartum.
A mother’s needs, challenges, responsibilities, and sense of well-being change as her children grow, but her need for support doesn’t disappear.
I developed QOLvita to give mothers a way to assess and track their quality of life over time — from the early years of motherhood to raising teenagers, parenting adult children, and beyond. It looks at the everyday factors that shape her life, including financial stability, emotional well-being, social connection, personal identity, and access to support.
But I also wanted to address another important question: Are the programs, services, and referrals designed to support mothers actually improving their lives?
QOLvita is also designed to help organizations monitor changes in quality of life, identify unmet needs, and evaluate whether their initiatives and referral systems are making a meaningful difference.
My goal is to help shift the conversation from simply providing services to understanding whether those services are helping mothers live better.
Because motherhood evolves, and the way we measure and support a mother’s well-being should evolve with it.
Explore QOLvitaPlatform in active development
Measuring a Mother’s Quality of Life
my philosophy
I Think We Should Look at Life
a Little Differently.
I believe there’s more to wellness than the habits we practice and the health outcomes we measure. What about the friendships we build? The experiences we have? The opportunities available to us? The stories we share? The joy we find in everyday life?
These are the questions that inspire me.
I don’t believe we should settle for simply getting through life. I believe we should have opportunities to experience it fully — and that means rethinking the communities, systems, relationships, and environments that shape how we live.
Wellness isn’t just about how healthy we are. It’s about how well we live.
— Lakischa Smith, MPH
perspectives
Thoughts, Stories & Perspectives
A curated space for upcoming essays, reflections, community narratives, and commentary on quality of life.
Publishing In Progress
Health Policy02
Quality of Life & Public Health
Moving from survival metrics toward multidimensional well-being indicators in health systems.
Thought Piece Coming Soon
Community03
Community, Culture & Belonging
How culturally grounded social environments directly shape longevity and mental ease.
Field Reflection Coming Soon
Culture & Voice04
Black Women's Experiences
Centering the health narratives, maternal realities, and restorative traditions of Black women.
Perspective Piece Coming Soon
Entrepreneurship05
Building Purpose-Driven Ventures
Translating public health values into sustainable, mission-first organizations and platforms.
Founder Notes Coming Soon
Editorial Note
First Essays in Preparation
Rather than placeholder filler, this space will feature thoughtfully developed essays, guest dialogues, and field notes exploring the lived conditions of human wellness.
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let's talk
Have an Idea? Let’s Talk.
I’m always interested in meeting people who think creatively, care about their communities, and believe there’s room to do things differently. Whether you want to collaborate, share a story, explore an idea, or simply connect, I’d love to hear from you.
Areas for Engagement
- Partnerships: Cross-sector initiatives linking public health, community culture, and wellness.
- Speaking & Panels: Keynotes and panels on quality of life, behavioral health systems, and maternal wellness.
- Advisory & Strategy: Consulting on community-centered program development and quality-of-life assessment.
Based in New Orleans, LA • Available for travel & virtual engagements
Inquiries come straight to me — I read every message personally