Our Story

The Soul Empowerment Collective was born out of lived experience, navigating the education system, social services, and witnessing firsthand how these systems often fail to support Black individuals, families, and students. For Loren Alexander, the founder, this work is deeply personal. It stems from her own experiences of being unheard, unseen, and denied the accommodations she needed, as well as the stories of others around her facing similar challenges.

During her professional journey, Loren worked alongside children and families navigating IEPs, 504 Plans, and academic accommodations. She observed how students were often misdiagnosed, misunderstood, or judged by professionals who lacked cultural competence and connection. Too often, decisions were made without truly seeing the child, their potential, their strengths, or their needs.

At the same time, Loren’s experience as a Black graduate student in a Critical Race Theory program revealed another truth, that even those advocating for systemic equity are not immune to its failures. Despite legal protections requiring accommodations, Loren’s needs were dismissed, leaving her feeling burdensome, being called burdensome by faculty, and remaining unsupported by systems and individuals that claimed to exist for her care.

These experiences of harm, dismissal, and systemic neglect led Loren to embrace self-advocacy as both a survival tool and a foundation for change. Now, as she pursues her path to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Loren has turned those lessons into action. The Soul Empowerment Collective stands as an extension of her mission, which is to create a space where advocacy meets healing, and where cultural awareness and compassion drive every effort.

The Soul Empowerment Collective exists to be a force of change, breaking cycles of mistrust and harm often associated with education, social services, and mental health care. We honor the humanity of those we serve, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and empowered to thrive, because no one should have to navigate these systems alone.

This is not just about addressing systemic barriers, it’s about reimagining what care, advocacy, and empowerment can look like, one soul at a time.