Today, we’d like to introduce you to Lorraine Kingcannon.
Hi Lorraine, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Trauma and triumph are the defining elements of my story, and they powerfully shape the person I am today. Trauma signifies the painful challenges I have faced, which tested my resilience and compelled me to address generational problems.
Each personal loss and societal obstacle was a crucible, forging my strength and character. Triumph embodies the gainful victories that emerged from these struggles, transforming challenges into milestones. These triumphs are the landmarks of my growth and a testament to my unwavering belief in my God-given abilities.
The duality of trauma and triumph is the core of my identity and the driving force behind my dedication to helping others navigate their own journeys. This combination of experiences fuels my passion and commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
My journey has been challenging but transformative. For years, I grappled with traumatic grief, which unknowingly triggered PTSD. Traumatic grief arises from significant losses experienced under violent, sudden, or otherwise traumatic circumstances. It encompasses not just the sadness and loss but also the profound psychological impact of the trauma.
In my experience, I faced the loss of my maternal grandmother and step-grandfather to cancer. While their illnesses were severe, I only came to understand their full impact after their sudden passing. Additionally, within a short span, my younger brother was murdered by gun violence. Despite these trials, I achieved healing through confronting and managing these traumatic events.
Seeking counseling, though initially daunting due to community and family stigma, became a pivotal moment in my healing journey. This breakthrough occurred just five years ago and has empowered me to pursue my goals with renewed strength and clarity. My experiences have equipped me to be antifragile, fueling my commitment to moving forward with purpose and confidence.
As you know, we’re big fans of Hip Hop Glamm Nonprofit. What can you tell our readers who might not be as familiar with the brand about it?
After our younger brother’s murder in 2013, my brother Teandre Hamilton and I founded Hip Hop Glamm Nonprofit (hhglamm.org) to address gun violence in our community. Our mission is to prevent teens from falling into D.E.A.T.H., an acronym representing the despair, emptiness, anger, timidness, and heartbreak caused by gun violence.
These are the emotions experienced in the aftermath of a sudden, violent, and traumatic loss, which may lead to traumatic grief. We utilize hip-hop therapy, incorporating elements of hip-hop culture such as rap, graffiti, dance, and DJing to help individuals cope and heal. Hip Hop Glamm’s outreach efforts to families affected by gun violence include hospital visits, sending condolence cards, assisting with funerals, and providing other forms of support.
As the Chief Project Officer (CPO) of Hip Hop Glamm, I oversee projects that advance our gun violence initiative internally and externally. Think of our organization as a stool with three legs: law enforcement, community moral voice, and outreach and support. My role as the CPO is akin to the seat of the stool, ensuring that these three legs work together seamlessly to achieve sustainable and impactful results for our beneficiaries.
I bring a unique perspective to my role due to my personal experience with gun violence. Having endured the sudden, violent, and tragic loss of my brother, I can empathize deeply with others who are on their journey toward coping and healing. This personal connection sets me apart in the industry. I leverage this experience to ensure that we provide practical, powerful, and tangible solutions to gun violence in real-time. This also keeps me grounded in our mission and not taking on projects outside its scope.
Achievements and Unique Aspects: We are proud to have reached our ten years of service on August 23, 2023. Between 2023 and the present, our message has reached over 25,000 individuals via our website, socials, and Google combined. What sets us apart from other organizations is our firsthand experience with gun violence.
Also, when approaching a family impacted by gun violence, we aim to help the entire household with necessities, not just the teens, with things like food, shelter, jobs, education, transportation, etc., by connecting them with organizations in our network. Unlike many organizations, we are not focused on influencing policy and politics; instead, we are a boots-on-the-ground organization dedicated to offering immediate and practical solutions to gun violence, saving teens from D.E.A.T.H.
Hip Hop Glamm Nonprofit is committed to addressing gun violence through innovative and culturally relevant methods. Our hip-hop therapy and comprehensive outreach efforts provide critical support to families and individuals affected by gun violence. We stand out because of our personal story that connects us to the cause, our practical approach, and our dedication to going beyond gun violence awareness to providing family solutions and hope.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Advice for Finding a Mentor and Networking: I’ve been blessed with mentorship from my mom and auntie, Maria Kingcannon and Marti Hawkins. They have passed down invaluable wisdom that they learned from my grandmother, who I spoke about earlier, that we all lost suddenly to cancer. Gratefully, I have found mentors within my family, including siblings, uncles, aunts, and cousins.
However, over the years, these mentor-mentee relationships have become more indirect as my primary mentors have taken on more responsibilities in their personal and professional lives. Initially, transitioning from direct to indirect mentorship was challenging, and I struggled to find mentors outside my family. While I admired successful professionals and public figures, I didn’t consider them mentors because I didn’t know them personally.
That changed after hearing advice from Oprah about ten years ago. She suggested that when you don’t have mentors in your life, in the world of Google, it’s possible to have a bunch of mentors who don’t even know you. Just find their platforms online and the books they have published to get their success blueprint. This perspective was transformative for me. I began reading articles and books by these distant mentors and learning from their experiences and insights.
One of my favorite mentors I’ve researched is Condoleezza Rice, who said, “It’s good to have female or minority role models. But the important thing is to have mentors who care about you, and they come in all colors.” This quote from her memoir, Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family, resonated with me and expanded my understanding of mentorship. Currently, I am more of a mentor to others; however, I am actively seeking a mentor who lives in the DFW area.
Tips for Finding a Mentor and Networking:
- Look Within Your Network: Start with people you know. Family members, friends, and colleagues can be great mentors, and don’t hesitate to ask for guidance and support.
- Expand Your Horizons: If your immediate network is limited or not ideal, look for mentors outside the people you know. Also, attend industry events, join professional organizations, and participate in online forums related to your field. For example, I am a member of PMI for project managers.
- Be Open to Indirect Mentorship. Learn from the experiences and advice of public figures and successful professionals. Even if you don’t know them personally, their insights can still guide you.
- Give Back: Mentorship is a two-way street. Be open to offering your mentor insights and support in the areas you are strong in from your experience because mentors love it when you can help them innovate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hhglamm.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hip_hop_glamm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hiphopglamm
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/hip_hop_glamm
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hiphopglamm
