Building Connections & Thriving in 2025

The first few months of 2025 have been full of momentum and meaningful connections for We Are Thriving! Our President and Founder, LaShaundrea Bradford, has been actively working to grow our presence across the community. From attending community wellness events and health fairs to partnering with other organizations on volunteer initiatives and participating in nonprofit strategy meetings, her dedication to our mission is clear.

As a result, our network is expanding, and so is our impact. We’re excited about what’s ahead and grateful for the continued support as we work to connect more communities to the resources they need to thrive.

Stay tuned—there’s so much more to come!

Celebrating Our Leaders on Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day

At We Are Thriving, Inc., we are proud to celebrate two incredible board members, President and Founder LaShaundrea Bradford and Treasurer Alisha Jones, on Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day. Their dedication, leadership, and passion for nutrition positively impact our communities every day.

LaShaundrea Bradford, MS, RDN, LD
As the Founder and President of We Are Thriving, Inc., LaShaundrea Bradford is a driving force behind our mission. A freelance registered dietitian and research consultant, she brings extensive experience in community and public health nutrition, culinary nutrition, and research. Her leadership extends beyond our organization—she is currently the President-Elect of the Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and will serve as the 2025-2026 President. LaShaundrea believes in the power of community, stating, “Everyone has a role in the success of their community, no matter how great or small.” Her vision and dedication continue to inspire those around her.

Alisha Jones, MS, RDN, LD
As Treasurer of We Are Thriving, Inc., Alisha Jones plays a vital role in ensuring the financial and operational success of our organization. She serves the Mississippi Gulf Coast with expertise in community nutrition, research, and healthcare facilities. Her passion for improving lives through nutrition is reflected in her motto: “I’m striving to be better than I was yesterday.” Alisha’s commitment to continuous growth and excellence makes her an invaluable part of our leadership team.

On this special day, we celebrate the hard work and impact of LaShaundrea and Alisha, as well as all registered dietitians who dedicate their lives to promoting health and wellness. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to making our communities thrive!

We Are Thriving, Inc. Empowers the Community at the Collins Health and Resource Fair

This past weekend, We Are Thriving, Inc. had the privilege of participating in the Health and Resource Fair in Collins, MS. Our founder, LaShaundrea Bradford, a registered dietitian, shared valuable insights on how to build healthier eating habits. She emphasized the importance of portion control, incorporating a variety of vegetables into daily meals, and staying active to support overall well-being.

At We Are Thriving, Inc., our mission is to connect communities with registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) and essential health and wellness resources. Events like these allow us to empower individuals through education, helping them make informed choices for a healthier future. By sharing knowledge, we are sowing seeds of wellness—one conversation at a time.

Stay connected with us for more community events and nutrition insights!

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a champion of equality, justice, and selfless service. Dr. King believed in the power of community and action, famously stating, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Let his words inspire us to serve, uplift, and strive for a more just world. Together, we can keep his dream alive through acts of kindness and compassion.

If you would like to know more about Dr. King’s life through his writings, speeches, and sermons, here is a Facebook post his daughter, Dr. Bernice King, shared: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1UEG2n9mZz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

President Jimmy Carter: Humanitarian and Servant Leader

Photo credit: WH.gov

Yesterday, the world lost a true humanitarian and servant leader: President Jimmy Carter. His dedicated efforts to support underserved and marginalized communities demonstrated the importance of service in fostering positive change in the world. We Are Thriving will never forget his calls for peace, equality, and compassion and his dedication to improving the lives of others. We are committed to honoring his legacy through our actions and efforts. President Carter’s presence will be missed.

A Candlelight Vigil for Lives Lost in 2024

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to participate in a candlelight vigil (👈click the link to see the local news coverage) for four individuals who lost their lives in 2024 while homeless. We see homeless persons on the street and in parking lots with signs asking for food or spare change, but do we really see them? Do we see the human being behind the homelessness?

Since the holiday season is known for good cheer and generosity, please consider donating to organizations that assist those experiencing homelessness or the unhoused. Anything you give will always be appreciated. Also, if you see a homeless person any time during the year, please acknowledge their existence. You never know; your smile or “hello” could be the hope they need to get back on their feet. We must remember that homeless persons are human beings. They are just like us and desire to be loved and cared for, too.

Let’s keep hope and humanity alive!

Happy Holidays,

LaShaundrea

**If you want to donate to organizations that assist the homeless and unhoused populations, here are a few phrases to enter into your search engine to get you started–

“Homeless resources,” “agencies for the homeless,” and “assistance for the unhoused.”

We Are Thriving is LIVE!

We are officially LIVE!

This weekend, We Are Thriving participated in our first Health and Wellness Fair in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. This weekend, we sowed by providing attendees information on three keys to a healthier diet– 1) practicing mindful eating, 2) managing portion sizes, and 3) adding a variety of vegetables to meals. Even the slightest improvement in these areas can lead to a healthier lifestyle.

We Are Thriving

We Are Thriving, Inc. is a nonprofit organization which provides a platform and space that raises awareness about health and well-being issues. Our platform is used to relay information about resources and opportunities as well as connect individuals, communities and businesses with experts who provide health and wellness services. One of our top priorities is nutritional health. In alignment with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), WeART’s goal is to improve nutritional health by connecting individuals and communities with nutrition professionals who provide nutrition education, coaching and counseling.