CEO & Wellness Advocate, Fitness 4 Life 1 · Comedian, Favorite Neighborhood Girl Comedy · Worcester, MA
Latasha Hughes Thomasson has a word for what happens when you keep showing up after the cameras are gone and the crowd has gone home: magic.
"I continue to show up especially when no one else is watching, because that is when the real work, or magic as I like to call it, happens," she says. "Relationships and consistent action are what make lasting change."
A wellness advocate, a comedian, a mother of five, and a grandmother of one, Latasha has spent her career making sure families have what they need to do well. On November 14 at Knights, Crowns & Community, For One Child Foundation will honor her with the 2026 Royal Ambassador Award.
A Life Built on Advocacy
Latasha's service started where it does for many parents: learning to navigate the school system for her own children. Once she had learned to advocate for her family, she began helping other mothers do the same.
From there, her work grew. She was a case manager for youth facing serious challenges, supervised specialized foster homes, and served as a Family Networks Coordinator and Resource Development Specialist. "It has always brought me great pleasure knowing that the knowledge I have to share impacts positive change in the lives of others."
One moment stays with her: her first Deep Canvass project for municipal offices in Worcester. Going door to door and having one-on-one conversations with residents, she watched people go "from unsure and powerless to a flicker of hope and empowerment lighting up their face. That was priceless."
Safe Spaces for Young People
The cause closest to Latasha's heart is the lack of quality jobs and programs for preteens, teens, and young adults.
She knows from experience what those programs can do. Growing up, she attended the Prospect House summer program, the Girls Club, and even the Boys Club, where she learned to sew, throw pottery, act, swim, and camp. "We need more safe spaces for our youth to thrive," she says, "so they too can learn and move into a place of leadership in the community."
Five Years With For One Child
Latasha was introduced to Founder Racquel Knight through a mutual friend about five years ago and has been connected ever since. She began by attending fundraising and networking events, became a joke sponsor for the golf tournament (fitting for a comedian), and now attends the annual galas.
This year she played in the golf tournament for the first time "and absolutely fell in love with it." Next year, she plans to bring a whole team to the green.
What keeps her involved is the mission. "For One Child sees the invisible and hears the voices of the least empowered ones in the community: the children. Investing in them makes us all better, as a society, a community, a family, and as individuals. Success happens one generation at a time."
Off the Clock
- Surprising fact: She loves to crochet.
- Where you'll find her: Live comedy, dancing, karaoke, and time with family.
- Musical roots: She played the flute and organ and sang in her church choir for many years.
- Her flowers go to: Her mother, Lula Mae Hughes, who taught her the value of family and how to advocate for others "in a gentle and generous way that makes them feel a part of the process." Her lessons still guide Latasha: share, stay positive, stay grounded in success and in failure, and be careful how you treat people, because "life is an elevator."
"Don't tell me how you can't. Let's look at how we CAN!" — Latasha Hughes Thomasson
Her Advice: Know Where to Go
Not sure how to start making a difference? Latasha suggests showing up at the places where community decisions get made:
- Your public library
- School Committee meetings
- Town Hall or City Council meetings
- Your local community center
- Parents Empowering Parents (PEP) meetings
What This Honor Means
"This award is a small nod to the countless everyday empowering and inspiring conversations I have with new grads, teen mothers, caregivers, and community leaders," Latasha says. "I'm always giving from the heart, and by receiving this award, it has definitely touched mine."
We'll celebrate Latasha at Knights, Crowns & Community on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Thank you to everyone joining us for a sold-out evening honoring the people investing in the next generation.
For One Child Foundation: Empowering Education. Transforming Lives.