Latoya Scott

Share your military spouse story:
As the youngest of 4 siblings, to now, a wife of a loving husband and mother of 3 children; I am truly blessed to have seen grace continually manifest in my life. I grew up in a household of 5, with both parents. I had a very loving, hardworking foundation. Even in the early stages of my life, I have always had a close relationship with the military. My father, is retired Navy, and worked for the City of Philadelphia. My 2nd eldest sister later enlisted in the Marine Corps and was stationed in Jacksonville, NC where it all began. At the age of 21, I was at the height of my life! I was in a deal to purchase my very first home in Philadelphia and everything was looking great; until my rent to own deal went south, and I lost everything outside of what I could carry out. After loosing my home and belongings I moved to Jacksonville, NC to help my sister and it was then, I met my now husband, the love of my life! 12 years, 3 children, 3 deployments, and 4 PCS moves later and we are still going strong. Enjoying this thing we call life!

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
While stationed in North Carolina, I have hosted over 50 workshops that empower women and teens foster self-esteem and etiquette, as well as created youth summer camps. My church received an abundance of pantry goods, vegetables, and food, that I collected weekly and loaded on a huge truck and drove on base to distribute to neighboring military spouses and families in need, who may not had the ability to leave base to go to the source of the food drives. In the middle of the pandemic we received orders to Japan. I worked the food drives until we boarded the plane. When arriving to Okinawa, I was appointed over a small group of 500 military spouses and active duty women; in which I coordinate monthly networking events to help women get more comfortable on the island as well as provide welcome baskets for new families and active duty women. In my short time arriving to Okinawa, I also volunteer with the local fraternity's youth leadership program which targets military youth.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
Over the last 9 years, being stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and now stationed on Camp Hansen. Combined, I have provided volunteer/leadership opportunities to 1,440 service members, 950 military spouses and civilians and orchestrated an estimate of 76 events, from community-based, corporate, and military wives networking gatherings across 5 states and internationally with some events reaching 50 and up to 3000 attendees. I am an advocate for small businesses and community involvement. I utilize all my platforms to educate, support and inspire those around me and in each of my respective communities.

Describe how you support your community:
For the City of Jacksonville, NC, I continue virtual meetings, for the Tourism Authority, assisting with the marketing and event planning efforts for tourism, which contribute to the economy for the city all while helping bridge the gap for military spouses community awareness. As well as volunteering my leadership knowledge for the Okinawa youth leadership seminars organized by the local Fraternity.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for community inclusion with the help of Final Touch Models and Next Level Fashion non-profit. Which brings positive social and professional opportunities that provide leadership and project management experience for the local youth, aspiring creatives, the military spouse, and junior service members. My motto "We are stronger Together"

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I have spread my message through outreach programs, local press, newspapers, radio, podcast interviews, social media, and speaking engagements. All of which has gain me many awards, grants, my blue check mark verification, and help spread awareness.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I will continue empowering military spouses to embrace each facet of life, through my duality as a mother, wife, small business owner, fashion visionary and pillar in my collective community. I will continue the path, in fostering creativity, as the Editor and Chief of my magazine, CEO of a multi-state modeling conglomerate, and President of a international non-profit, dedicated to the arts and creative development of all age groups.