Today we’d like to introduce you to Latasha Keith.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
You know, my story really starts with my grandmother. She is my rock, the one who raised me and gave me stability when everything else around me felt uncertain. My childhood wasn’t easy. My mom went to prison when I was younger, and later, while I was still in high school, she was deported. That was one of the hardest chapters of my life. I had to grow up fast,emotionally and mentally before I was even ready to.
Then, as a teenager, I became a mom myself. And that changed everything. I remember holding my baby and thinking, I have to break this cycle. I wanted to give my child a different life, one filled with love, opportunity, and stability. It wasn’t easy balancing school, motherhood, and life, but I refused to let my circumstances define my future.
My grandmother’s strength and faith kept me grounded. She taught me that even in pain, you can still have purpose. Basketball became my outlet and my safe space. It taught me discipline, teamwork, and how to fight through adversity. Every time I stepped on that court, I felt like I had a chance to rewrite my story.
Now, as a coach, mentor, and educator, I lead from that same place of love and perseverance. I tell my players all the time, it doesn’t matter what you’ve been through or how your story started. What matters is how you use it. My journey is living proof that you can come from brokenness and still build something beautiful. My past didn’t break me, it built me. And now, I use it to remind others that their pain can have purpose, too.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I was raised by my grandmother after my biological parents weren’t around. She adopted me and my siblings, and she gave us everything she could; school, church, structure, and discipline. When I became pregnant as a teenager, she put me out. At the time, she was overwhelmed and disappointed, and that was her reaction, even though it was painful for me. At the time, it felt like my whole world was crashing down. I’ll never forget coming home from high school and seeing a black trash bag with all my belongings sitting on the porch. Even though it hurt, it pushed me to grow up fast.
I stayed with my best friend and one of my high school teammates through most of my pregnancy. By my last trimester, I was living with my cousin until I gave birth to my son. I was kicked off the basketball team my high school sophomore and junior years, and that broke me because basketball was all I had. But even through that, I kept going.
When I graduated high school, my son was just one week old. I packed that same black trash bag, his little baby items, and boarded a van with my best friend and her family and off to Jarvis Christian College on a basketball scholarship. I didn’t have much, but I had faith, determination, and a reason to fight. I was a mom before I became a woman, and I had no choice but to keep moving forward and make a believer out of myself.
Those experiences shaped me. They taught me grit, faith, and perseverance lessons. I now pour into the young women I coach. My journey wasn’t smooth, but it was necessary. Every setback prepared me for the purpose I walk in today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Today, I wear a few different hats, but they all connect to one purpose, pouring into others. I’m the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Dallas College -Cedar Valley Campus. I teach in the Criminal Justice department, and I also serve as an Academic Coach for English and Writing in the Learning Commons. Every role gives me a different way to reach students, whether it’s helping them find their rhythm on the court, their confidence in the classroom, or their voice through writing.
I specialize in development, not just athletic or academic, but personal growth. I help my players and students understand that excellence isn’t just about talent; it’s about effort, discipline, and integrity. For many of them, basketball or college is just the first step toward something greater, and I take pride in helping them see that potential.
What I’m most proud of isn’t the wins or the titles, it’s the transformations. It’s watching a student who once doubted themselves write their first strong essay, or a player who struggled with confidence step into leadership. It’s hearing a young woman say, “Coach, you believed in me before I believed in myself.” That’s the kind of impact that lasts long after the season ends.
What sets me apart is that I lead from experience. I know what it feels like to start with nothing, to have to figure it out, to push through pain and still show up. My story taught me grace, grit, and the power of perseverance. And that’s exactly what I pour into every young person I work with, whether it’s on the court, in the classroom, or in life.
At the end of the day, I’m not just building basketball players or students, I’m building strong, resilient individuals who believe they can rise above anything. That’s what I’m most proud of.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a handful lol I’ll be honest about that. I used to get in trouble for talking too much, always had something to say, and I wasn’t afraid to stand up for myself. I was a fighter, sometimes literally. I remember getting suspended from high school, and later in college, I even got kicked out for a semester my senior year. That was a humbling moment. I ended up moving to Florida with one of my college teammate’s family until I could get back into school.
My childhood had its share of trauma, there were things I experienced that no child should have to face. But even through all that, there were people who saw something in me. My high school coach, for example, kept me on the team my senior year even though I was pregnant. That kind of grace and belief changed me. It showed me what it means to lead with compassion, and it taught me that sometimes, all someone needs is for one person not to give up on them.
I think that’s where my passion for mentorship really began. Because I know firsthand what it feels like to be given another chance, to be seen and believed in, even when you’re struggling. Growing up wasn’t easy, but it built my character. It taught me resilience, accountability, and how to turn pain into purpose.
Now, I use that same energy with my players, my students, and my own children. I lead with love, but I also lead with discipline. I want them to know that no matter where you start, you can still become something great. You just have to believe in yourself and sometimes, it takes someone else believing in you first.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedarvalleywbb_suns?igsh=MWk3NHk3djVxdmVodg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/latasharkeith
