Lori Hanford
Meet
Lori Hanford is a mom, entrepreneur, media correspondent, and educator with over 15 years of experience in Education. She is also the founder of Links Family Engagement Services, LLC., a family engagement service that seeks to enrich the lives of children, young adults, and their families through strategically aligned interventions. Their mission is to create safe spaces for children to heal from the weight of “their” world by scaffolding the root cause of their behavior and emotional issues. Through personalized sessions, Links Family Engagement Services offers full coaching and support in academics, behavior, social and emotional health, life skills, self-awareness, and goal setting- all while bridging the dysfunctional family dynamics through restorative practices. Hanford’s credentials are complementary to her craft. She holds multiple certifications in Student Engagement Coaching and Mentoring. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid for Young Adults and Early Crisis Intervention. In addition, she is also a licensed trainer in Restorative Practices, Restorative Circle, and Conferences. Her certifications allow her to unleash her “Super Powers” that engage, equip, and empower young adults into becoming the best version of themselves. Notwithstanding all of her accomplishments in education, Ms. Hanford has built a strong social media presence for herself that includes “Grey Dimples” and the moniker, “Your Rich Auntie Lori” as a media correspondent for ATL Plus Magazine, which is becoming a household name. In a few short 28 A T L + M A G A Z I N E
months, Hanford has overtaken the red carpets by rebranding herself as a media correspondent for the new up-and-coming magazine. Her ability to connect with people from Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z alike, “Rich Auntie Lori,” has allotted her the ability to cross generations in solidifying her brand. Her infectious personality, coupled with her passion for people, has been witnessed, as she has been the correspondent for some of Atlanta’s premier events such as, The 100 Black Men of Dekalb Gala, Diner En Blanc, The NBMBAA Welcoming Party and Holiday Soiree-just to name a few. However, the highlight for Rich Auntie Lori was the honor of hosting the red carpet for the 39th Mayor’s Masked Ball with ATL Plus Magazine. “My years of networking as a volunteer for community events, nonprofits, social causes, and being an educational advocate for youth has truly paid off for me! The exposure and connections I have made over the years have paved the way for a smooth transition into this role as a media correspondent. I talk to people for a living, and now I have a microphone to record their stories. I have truly found my happy place,” exclaimed Hanford when asked about her feelings and newfound experience. any way. Support is a VERB and that’s what you do for people you care about.” As an addition to Ms. Hanford’s brand- she has decided to venture off into the world of Business Development and Marketing. Her vast network of colleagues , politicians and business owners, has become the
