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LaShay Smith-Young | Nurse, Entrepreneur and Youth Mental Health Advocate Behind the YSF Just Listen Campaign
Join the movement @ysfcommunityorg

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God placed a purpose on my heart: helping families feel less alone as they navigate youth mental health.

As a mother and nurse, I believe our young people deserve to be heard with patience, not judgment.

That’s why I founded Young & Striving Foundation Incorporated and the Just Listen Project: to help parents and teens have honest, compassionate conversations and break the stigma around mental health.

My hope is that every young person, girls and boys alike, feels seen, valued, and supported, and every family knows it’s okay to begin with listening.

BLACK BOY JOY is available in paperback, Kindle, and hardcover.

🔗 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HHT1SB8V

#JustListen #YouthMentalHealth #BlackBoyJoy
Parents and caregivers, what helps your teen feel safe enough to open up?

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⛳️🏌🏾‍♂️ READY TO LEARN THE GAME OF GOLF? LET’S GET STARTED!

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📲 BOOK YOUR LESSON TODAY!
🌐 fundamentalsfirstgolf.com

Follow @fundamentals1stgolf

#FundamentalsFirstGolf #GolfForBeginners #BeginnerGolfLessons #AtlantaGolf #GolfLessonsAtlanta

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We can’t wait to celebrate Black Boy Joy: The Just Listen Story with you!

A story with a powerful message about listening, connection, and reminding our teens that their voices matter.

📩 Check your email for your book launch invitation and RSVP details.

Get your copy now and bring it along for a special book signing with LaShay and her son Koi!

🛒 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HHT1SB8V

📍 @serenityestates_atl
🏠 @naki_properties

Let’s make this celebration unforgettable! ✨

#BlackBoyJoy #TheJustListenStory #YSFCommunityOrg #JustListen

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Thank you to everyone who joined the LIVE on Facebook! 🖤

We appreciate you being part of the conversation and showing your support for the Just Listen Campaign.

Missed it? You can watch the replay here! 🤗✨

📚 Black Boy Joy is now available on Amazon! Get your copy here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HHT1SB8V

Once you get your copy, tag us in your post. We’d love to celebrate with you! ✨

#BlackBoyJoy #JustListenCampaign #YSF #YoungAndStrivingFoundation

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⛳️ Ready to stop saying “I want to learn how to golf” and finally book your first lesson? Your confident swing starts today!

Fundamentals First Golf is officially LIVE and ready to welcome beginners! Learn the fundamentals, build confidence, and have fun—one swing at a time. 🏌🏾‍♂️💚

Book your Private Beginner Lesson today and take the first step toward a confident, consistent swing. No experience necessary—just bring your willingness to learn!

Reserve your lesson with a deposit, with the remaining balance due at your lesson.

Don’t wait to get started—book your lesson today 👉🏾 fundamentalsfirstgolf.com
📲 Save our booking app to your Home Screen for easy access!

Tag a friend who’s been wanting to give golf a try. Let’s get swinging! ⛳️

#FundamentalsFirstGolf #AtlantaGolf #GolfLessons #BeginnerGolf #LearnToGolf

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WOW! THE LOVE ON DAY ONE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE!

Thank you all for the overwhelming support, kind words, shares, and excitement surrounding the release of Black Boy Joy! 🥹📚 Your love means more than you know, and we’re so grateful to everyone helping us spread this important message of healing, hope, and the power of listening.

And guess what?! 👀✨ Several of you have asked for a hardcover copy, and you know what they say…

YOUR WISH IS OUR COMMAND! 🪄📖💚

🎉 The HARDCOVER EDITION is coming to Amazon tomorrow, October 11!

For everyone who loves the feel of a good hardcover book, we’ve got you! 🥰

Thank you for showing up, spreading the word, and being part of the Just Listen campaign. This is only the beginning, and we’re so excited to continue this journey with you!

#BlackBoyJoy #HardcoverEdition #AmazonBooks #JustListenCampaign #MentalHealthAwareness

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PAPERBACK RELEASE DAY is here!

BLACK BOY JOY: The Just Listen Story is available today, October 10-World Mental Health Day! 📚

Thank You, God, for this moment, and thank you to every reader helping our message reach more families. 🙏🏾

Our young co-author, Koi, shaped this story through his lived experience; we honor his voice and the importance of truly listening.

This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”

The paperback is available now on Amazon, grab your copy and help us keep these important conversations going!

Who will you invite to listen and join the conversation?

#BlackBoyJoy #JustListen #WorldMentalHealthDay #YouthMentalHealth

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On September 27th, we gathered some of the most extraordinary women in Atlanta for a photoshoot for my upcoming featured article in VUE Atlanta, where I will be highlighting hidden gems in entrepreneurship, real estate, the medical industry, the world of accounting and so many more. Today was our last photoshoot and my heart is FILLED.

It was Dr. Davenport’s day to be captured in all her splendour because the day of the group photoshoot, she was saving lives during her shift at the hospital.

And that encapsulates my list; women who are saving our communities, while working hard in their professions and excelling in every way. Just extraordinary women!

I’m so grateful for this opportunity, and excited more than you can imagine for the issue to hit magazine stands throughout Atlanta.

This vision however, would not have came to light without the esteemed support from Bob Mackey who spent so many hours working with me behind the scenes to bring this vision to life in the most profound way @bobmackeyphotography - Kevin and Austin who spent so much energy and time making sure each featured woman felt at home and welcomed at The Reserves @thereserveshamiltonhomes - Natasha Blair @mrsnatashablair (who encouraged me every second of the conceptual idea, even at times when I was very discouraged) - LaShay Smith-Young @mrslashayyoung (who recommended some of the most extraordinary women) - Tiana, my assistant who exceeded the expectations on “go-day” @tianaahosea (thank you) and of course @handzdirtypr for the amazing collaboration with our swag bag sponsors @mdlogichealth 💕✨

Now, to Brian @bkauze of VUE Atlanta @vueatlanta who saw the vision right away! Brian, your enthusiasm and passion kept me going! I am so very honoured to have VUE Atlanta as the official partner for “Atlanta’s Top Women To Watch” @atlantatopwomentowatch 🫶🏽✨

Special mention to the first friend that I made here in Georgia, she returned from her trip in Italy and jumped hands right in, Natasha, you are so amazing, thank you for being such a wonderful friend @natashasthread_ 💕

And to each and every woman on the list, know just how much I admire you, and how much I appreciate you 💕✨

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A story that began at home, in a conversation between a mother and her son, is now ready to meet the world.

From the first words on the page to this moment, we’ve carried this story with so much heart. And now we get to pass it on to you.

To the teen who needs to know they’re not alone.
To the parent who wants to understand a little more.
To the person who knows that one honest conversation can open a door.

Black Boy Joy: The Just Listen Story arrives October 10, on World Mental Health Day.

We’re excited. We’re grateful. And we’re ready to finally share it. 📖🖤💚

2 DAYS TO GO! ✨

#BlackBoyJoy #JustListen #WorldMentalHealthDay #BookRelease #TeenMentalHealth ParentingTeens MentalHealthMatters

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LaShay and Koi’s story is one of love, vulnerability, and learning the importance of truly listening.

Through the difficult moments, the questions, and the conversations that aren’t always easy to have, they discovered just how powerful it can be when a young person feels safe enough to speak and knows someone is willing to listen.

That experience became the heart behind Black Boy Joy: The Just Listen Story.

Now, they’re excited to share that story with you. 📖✨

The paperback releases this Saturday, October 10, in honor of World Mental Health Day.

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Years of caring for patients as a registered nurse taught me to pay attention to what is said, and what is left unsaid.
Motherhood taught me something harder: my child did not always need an answer, a solution, or my next question. Sometimes he needed me to slow down and simply stay.
I had to unlearn listening just to respond. I had to release the urge to fix, assume, or rush the conversation toward a place that felt more comfortable for me.
God used both nursing and motherhood to reshape my heart: listen with patience, lead with compassion, and make room for a young person’s truth.
That lesson is woven through BLACK BOY JOY: The Just Listen Story, releasing in paperback October 10. My prayer is that it helps another family feel seen, heard, and hopeful.
If this message speaks to you, share it with a parent or caregiver, and join us for this next chapter. JUST LISTEN. 🤎📖 #BlackBoyJoy #JustListen #YouthMentalHealth #ParentingTeens

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 💗

This month is especially personal as we honor and remember those we’ve lost, celebrate survivors, and stand beside everyone affected by breast cancer.

In loving memory of my mom. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 🩷🕊️

Let’s continue to raise awareness, support one another, and remind our loved ones that early detection saves lives.

🎀 Wear pink. Get checked. Spread awareness.

#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #InLovingMemory #ForeverLoved #ForeverRemembered

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