Meet Wande Okunoren-Meadows | Executive Director: Hand, Heart, + Soul Project & Director: Culture, Quality and Engagement, Little Ones Learning Center

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wande Okunoren-Meadows and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wande, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?

Some folks think working in the non-profit sector is a great cause that benefits the greater good. Hmmm. Maybe, yes and no. I went into this thinking just that and I am finding it is anything but. It is just as difficult and stressful as any other line of work and it takes a significant toll on an individual. Some of us are constantly in pursuit of limited resources, coupled with the urgency to address issues, and it creates an environment that can be emotionally draining.

I find that my passion for the movement and the cause sometimes leads to a blurred boundary between my personal and professional life, making it challenging to disconnect which leads to other problems- it’s a domino effect. In addition, the competitive nature of the non-profit world, with organizations vying for funding, can turn the landscape cutthroat. I do not like to compete. There is supposed to be abundance, where we can all “win”, we can all eat.

I despise donkey and pony shows and value authenticity and this can sometimes be hard when the opposite is the norm. There is pressure to prove impact, secure grants, and navigate the overlapping complexities of partnerships that can lead to high-stakes situations. It’s fragile. It’s all the things.

Embarrassingly, while my organization is one of holistic health and wellness, I have sacrificed my well-being to ensure the success of our organization- just as other leaders have, I am not an anomaly, without healing and recuperation, where both passion and burnout coexist. It’s not healthy, but I am grateful that other organizations are recognizing this and putting in measures to address burnout and support non-profits and their leadership. It’s not enough to say, “get rest” or ” practice self-care”, but for me, there must be conditions created and provided for that to take place and be real.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The Hand, Heart, and Soul Project does three things: We provide children and families access to nutrient-dense foods.
We develop holistic programs focused on health, wellness, nutrition, and education.
We advocate on the local, state, and national platforms and bring historically marginalized and minoritized voices to decision-making spaces.

We stand out distinctly from others due to a blend of innovation, cultural awareness, and an unwavering commitment to advocacy. We have a strong sense of social, educational, and food justice. I am an early childhood advocate with over 29 years of experience leading and championing community-based programming. As a disruptive innovator, I call for designing meaningful solutions through collaborative partnerships.

I found that families and early educators had significant barriers to accessing healthy, non-GMO food and families often lacked a voice in the local programs made to serve them so, I started two pivotal programs: the Little Lion’s Farm Stand at our family-owned and operated Little Ones Learning Center, to provide fresh and local produce for children and families, and then with my mother, co-created the nonprofit, Hand, Heart + Soul Project, to serve as a community convener and services provider not only for Little Ones Learning Center, but other early childhood programs throughout Clayton. The Hand, Heart, Soul Project (HHSP) is the amplifier and brought to scale the work of Little Ones Learning Center. We can’t forget that. This is where everything originates and HHSP ensures that families are food secure, children’s nutritional needs are met and healthy habits are formed at an early age, while also supporting other community needs. Our organization also works alongside other early childhood providers to serve as an ambassador and advocate for programs.

Our organization was formed and grew during the worst public health crisis in modern history, COVID-19. Daily workouts with my fitness trainer preserved my sanity during COVID-19, while I went to work daily, along with many other early educators, who never paused during the pandemic. That period took a real mental toll on me in ways I was not prepared for.

I am still on a challenging journey. There are no trophies or badges of honor for so-called “relentless perseverance” and “resiliency”, I wish we would stop trying to be so “resilient”. It was not good for me to be “resilient”. My family bore the weight of sacrifices (and still does), enduring both financial strains and stressors and limited time together as I pursued my aspirations. The mental and emotional toll was profound and I navigated moments of doubt and setbacks. In addition to the challenges, there were doubters (a story is never complete without those folks, I guess)—those who questioned my abilities, some overtly and others covertly. Yet, the lack of faith from some only fueled my determination. Each obstacle became a stepping stone, and every naysayer, a catalyst. The winding road has sculpted my character and continues to propel me forward. But I also desire rest, peace, and joy. I do see them. Ase.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh boy….I love itineraries. here we go…

Sunday
AM Garden Parc for all-you-can-eat brunch
Afternoon Piedmont Park, people watch
Movies at IPIC Theaters in Midtown

Monday
workout
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
random ax throwing or paintball or gun range
Treat your Feet for foot and body massages

Tuesday
workout
Hike at stone mountain or Day trip to Blaque Butterfly in Monticello
Boogaloo

Wednesday
workout
Escape Room at the Battery
Fellaship for the games
Red Phone Booth for late night drinks

Thursday
workout
Negril ATL for lunch
Apt 4B for dinner
The James Room for late-night

Friday
Ride Birds on the Belt Line during the day
Frequency Friday’s at the High (pray it’s a summer night)- I love the vibe and mix of people and music
Bar Vegan for later night drinks

Saturday
workout
Golden Glide Skating Rink
Twisted Sisters Pourhouse for lunch
Comedy at City Winery

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I hesitate to mention any names for fear of leaving anyone out, and also knowing that there have been dozens of people, groups, and organizations who have lifted me personally, Hand, Heart, and Soul Project, and Little Ones Learning Center. I would start by mentioning and shouting out Team Little Ones Learning Center. That crew is phenomenal and the leaders there have a special place among the stars. I honor them and collectively, they have allowed me to be a better mom, do my work better, and have provided the inspiration I needed to amplify the vision. Period. I extend gratitude to my family for their encouragement and my kiddos who have allowed me to release mommy guilt for spending many hours away while I worked long hours. I would do many things over if I could. I can not get that time back, but we do what we must. As my dear pal Sagdrina says, “This work does not love us back”. There are so many industry peers both within the early education industry and the nonprofit world who have shared insights and I have collaborated with in a positive way. Ase. There have been organizations, agencies, and foundations in the past and present that have provided a conducive environment for our success and more importantly, provided a safe environment for dialog, Funding is very much needed, but it is amplified when there is a relationship established and grateful for each of those which allows us to operate. #funduslikeyouwantustowin is ever so real. I don’t want to hear about red tape and more bureaucracy, I want to hear how we can make s*ht happen. Period. A shout-out is also in order to the Hand, Heart, + Soul Project team. I desire excellence, not perfection, and am grateful to our team for adding to our success. Finally, I acknowledge my own efforts and determination. Throughout this journey, I have had to put on a protective mental covering for my mind to shield out the BS, the folks who in so many words felt we were operating outside of our ability and felt we were a scrappy org. I asked one lady to consider joining our board and she told me, “Once your budget increases, then we can talk”. The nerve, I’m like, hell, that’s why I wanted you to join the board, damnit! Folks want to get on when things are moving, not during the hard work of building is taking place. And with that, gratitude to the HHSP board.

Website: www.handheartsoulproject.org and www.littleoneslearningcenterga.com

Instagram: @handheartsoulproject and @littleonesfp

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wande-okunoren-meadows/

Twitter: @handheartsoul1 and @littleonesfp

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handheartsoulproject and https://www.facebook.com/LittleOnesLearningCenterFP/

Image Credits
Lindentree Photography, Tristen Glaze Photography, Madison Truscan Photography