Dr. LaTracey McDonald

The Visionary Empowering Authors, Artists, and Communities

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Dr. LaTracey McDonald

From educator to entrepreneur, from minister to mogul—Dr. LaTracey McDonald is a powerhouse of inspiration. With a legacy built on education, publishing, and community outreach, she has transformed her passion into a movement. As the founder of multiple businesses and non-profits, her mission is clear: to empower, uplift, and create lasting change.

Dr. McDonald of Huntsville, AL, is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background in education, non-profit management, publishing, and business consulting. She holds a Doctorate in Humanitarianism from the Global International Alliance and a Mini MBA in Non-Profit Management from St. Thomas University. She has also completed the Institute for Executive Leadership Development at St. Thomas University. Even more, Dr. McDonald is an ordained elder and has received numerous awards, including “Publisher of the Year” and “Author of the Year.” She is the author of 49 books, with over 10 achieving best-seller status. Her passion lies in community outreach, capacity building, and leadership development.

Dr. McDonald is a is a best-selling author and a globally recognized motivational speaker. She is also a multifaceted entrepreneur, owning several businesses that focus on enhancing the quality of lives of others. These include LaTracey C. Hughes Enterprises, LLC, Black Authors Rock, LLC, Capstone Experience, Inc., and BAR Arts Collective. At the same time, her ventures offer a wide range of services, including coaching, consulting, publishing, bookstores, and professional development. Dr. McDonald specializes in grant writing, business development, printing, publishing, and promotions as well.

Capstone Experience, Inc. and Bar Arts Collective are both non-profit organizations. Capstone focuses on community outreach, strategic planning, and event management, and BAR Arts Collective is dedicated to arts and education. Annually, she hosts the Sexy With A Pen Artist Awards Gala and the Speak It! Write It! Publish It! Conference, where she recognizes and honors artists.

The arts and being a resource for her community is something that’s always been close to Dr. McDonald’s heart. She began her career working in education and non-profit management. In 2008, she founded Capstone Experience, Inc., and led it from a startup to a thriving organization. Since October 2010, she has run LaTracey C. Hughes Enterprises, LLC and Black Authors Rock, LLC. While her home served as a proving ground for Dr. McDonald, her reach is now on a global scale.

It’s very apparent that Dr. McDonald is passionate about empowering others through education, leadership development, and community outreach. She says, “I enjoy helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential and positively impact my community. What brings me the most joy is witnessing the manifestation of their goals, from the planning stage to execution.”

Of course, she couldn’t accomplish all that she has without the love and support of her family, and confesses they are her greatest form of inspiration. “I am building a legacy for my children and grandson,” she says. “My extensive education, community service, and leadership skills have played vital roles. However, nothing is more important than my impact on my family. My twelve-year-old daughter, Everyone’s Purpose, is a three-time best-selling author and business owner. She is surely following in her mother’s footsteps.”

Running several businesses at once can be a very daunting task, as is the case for Dr. McDonald, maintaining her health and wellness while doing so and making it look effortless. She has also navigated the complexities of growing two non-profit organizations, securing funding through grant writing, and balancing multiple business ventures, including publishing, consulting, and motivational speaking. She has faced these challenges head-on through prayer, strategic pivoting, and seeking assistance during pivotal moments. She acknowledges the lessons learned from failures and continuously aligns her decisions with her long-term goals. “My strong leadership and unwavering commitment to my mission have been key to my success,” she explains.

As a sole proprietor, Dr. McDonald has built a successful and impactful career, and while there have been a few peaks and valleys, she appreciates how things have occurred. She says, “If I could change anything, I would have built a strong team sooner to support the vision and mission of my God-given empire rather than carrying the weight of being a one-woman show. My advice to others whose journey may mirror that of mine is to pursue continuous education, gain hands-on experience, and build strong community relationships. Having resilience and adaptability and knowing when to rest while staying committed to one’s mission is very important. Above all, remember that you can never give up.”

In the future, Dr. McDonald’s dedication to community outreach and leadership development remains at the forefront of her mission. She is also placing her focus on expanding her influence through social media while bringing people from online spaces into in-person experiences through her publishing, coaching, and consulting businesses. As a trailblazer and blueprint for others, she is committed to further growing both non-profits, BAR Arts Collective and Capstone Experience, Inc., while continuing her work as a motivational speaker and author. The next Speak It! Write It! Publish It! Working Conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Huntsville. Stay tuned for more details.