Lateshia Pearson, a prominent figure known for her roles on Belle Collective and as the founder of Women Brunch Mississippi, has become an inspiring voice for women, particularly plus-size Black women. Her journey is not just about business and television; it's a powerful narrative of self-love, embracing her body, and championing representation in media.
From Mississippi to Millions: The Rise of Lateshia Pearson
October brings not only pumpkin spice lattes but also Lateshia Pearson to the forefront. Belle Collective chronicles the lives of influential Black women from Jackson, Mississippi, navigating business, relationships, and personal reinvention. Pearson, with her calm authority and transparent ambition, serves as the series' anchor.
What began as a simple brunch has grown into a full-fledged movement: Women Brunch Mississippi. This gathering offers women a voice, a platform, and a path to rise. Pearson envisioned Belle Collective to shift the narrative of who Southern Black women are and how they are seen. "When I first envisioned Belle Collective, I wanted to show the world that Southern Black women are powerful, ambitious and multidimensional," she remarked. "I wanted to showcase sisterhood, entrepreneurship and the beauty of Mississippi: our culture, our resilience and our faith. That message defines the series' heartbeat. Each season intertwines ambition and identity, showing how women managing million-dollar goals also navigate marriages, friendships and forgiveness.
Pearson designed Belle Collective to be both entertaining and intentional, explaining, "For me, it's all about intention. I know the platform can be entertaining, but my purpose has always been to empower." For critics who doubt that reality TV can carry meaning, she offers a simple reply: "I'd say: watch Belle Collective. … Because it's possible to have purpose and platform at the same time. Purpose is what you bring into the space. My story and the stories of other women on this show have opened conversations about business, marriage, friendships, healing, forgiveness and faith.
Embracing Vulnerability: Sharing Her Health Journey
Pearson's impact extends far beyond television. Her willingness to share her health journey has made her an unexpected advocate for women facing invisible challenges. "I shared it because I know what it feels like to suffer in silence," she said of revealing her experience with PCOS. "For years, I didn't understand why my body was changing, and I carried shame around that. Once I learned what PCOS was and how many women deal with it, I realized my story could help someone else stop blaming themselves. The response has been overwhelming, and women thank me for giving them the courage to talk to their doctors, to start eating differently, to love themselves again." Her transparency opened a wave of dialogue about self-care and self-forgiveness. It also changed how she moves through her own life.
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Pearson expressed, "It taught me grace. There are days when my body doesn't cooperate, and I still have to show up on camera, in meetings or on stage. PCOS humbled me and reminded me that health is not just physical, it's emotional and spiritual. I've learned to listen to my body, to rest and to honor it. As a voice on a platform like OWN, she sees an opportunity to keep broadening that discussion. "We're making progress, but there's still room to grow," she said. "OWN does a beautiful job at storytelling, but I'd love to see even more content on all major platforms that focus on wellness, not just physical health, but mental and emotional healing.
Building an Empire: Faith, Correction, and Structure
Pearson's own empire, Lateshia Pearson Enterprises, is the result of years of faith, correction and structure. "Oh, I've made plenty [of mistakes]! The biggest one was trying to do everything alone," she shared. "I thought asking for help meant weakness. I also didn't always separate business from personal relationships, and that taught me the value of contracts, boundaries and structure." When doubt creeps in, Pearson returns to her reason for starting this sisterhood. "I kept thinking about the women who needed to see that it's possible and that even with fear, you can still move forward. I would pray, journal and remind myself that faith and doubt can't coexist. Her entrepreneurial philosophy anchors everything she teaches through her coaching programs. "Start with what you have. You are the resource. Write down your vision, pray over it and take one step every day. Consistency creates opportunities. Don't wait to be 'ready,' instead start where you are and let faith and frequency fill in the gaps.
Much of Pearson's purpose flows through Women Brunch Mississippi and Empower Me Sis, her initiatives connecting female founders, dreamers and doers. "Honestly, no," she admits when asked if she expected its reach. "I started it in 2017, just wanting to bring female entrepreneurs and aspiring women together to pour into one another. I had no idea it would turn into a statewide movement that's now inspiring women across the country. That faith has been validated through transformation after transformation. "There was a young woman who attended one of my early brunches," Pearson recalls. "She came broken, unsure of her next step. A year later, she started her own business, came back as a vendor and told me that Women Brunch Mississippi gave her the courage to believe again. Her approach to leadership mirrors the community she's built - one mimosa at a time. "Authenticity," she says. "I don't create from competition; I create from connection and collaboration. When women walk into my events, I want them to feel seen, heard and valued. It's about leading with love and purpose, not ego. "Purpose and platform can live in the same space," Pearson added.
Season 6 of Belle Collective embodies growth, vulnerability and power in motion. The women's stories unfold through business expansion, family shifts and the art of rebuilding - with cameras rolling. "Belle Collective has given me visibility, yes. Through Belle Collective, Women Brunch Mississippi and Lateshia Pearson Enterprises, she's built a household name grounded in Southern heart, with women from around the world lined up for a seat at her table.
Redefining Beauty and Success: A Conversation with The Curvy Fashionista
The reality TV star and powerhouse entrepreneur opened up to The Curvy Fashionista about her journey with self-love, embracing her body, and why representation as a plus size woman on screen still matters. When Lateshia Pearson steps on the scene, whether it’s at her powerhouse Women Brunch Mississippi or commanding the screen on Belle Collective, you feel her presence. She’s built a brand on visibility, ambition, and authenticity, and in a world that rarely centers plus size Black women, Lateshia is changing the narrative just by showing up fully and unapologetically.
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Loving Herself Out Loud
“Even growing up, I’ve always loved me. Like, I love me, and I love that for me,” Lateshia shared confidently. “I think my gift is empowering others and making people feel amazing about themselves and in doing that, I empower myself too. I understand that I’m uniquely and wonderfully made. Regardless of if I’m plus size or whatever, I’m going to just show up as me.” That deep-rooted sense of self is part of what makes Lateshia such a compelling figure on Belle Collective. But even with that confidence, the journey to loving herself in the spotlight has come with reflection, intention, and real self-work.
Holding Space in an Industry That Wasn’t Built for Her
“Showing up as your authentic self, that’s everything,” she says. “I deal with PCOS. I have my own health challenges. But I don’t let that stop me. Girl, they’re gonna talk regardless, so you might as well show up as you.” She credits the OWN Network and executive producer Carlos King for taking a chance on changing what we see on screen. “That really took courage and vision, to put a plus size woman at the center of the show. That representation? It matters. And I think it’s inspired others to open those same doors.”
Self-Love on the Hard Days
“I’m big on affirmations,” Lateshia said. “Literally, I was just walking at the park earlier, speaking into myself. Telling myself, ‘Life is happening for me, not to me. I’m still alive, I have purpose.’ When I feel off, I sit in that moment. I don’t rush past it with toxic positivity. I acknowledge it, figure out why I’m feeling that way, and then I bounce back.” That ability to pause and reflect is how she continues to pour into others through her mentorship and business work. “You have to be your own cheerleader sometimes. But it’s okay to take five minutes, feel what you need to feel, and then get back to being who you are.”
Authentic Visibility as a Plus Size Black Woman
“You have to be confident,” she said with no hesitation. “This is me. I love myself. For every one person that hates, there’s a million that love you. People talk about size twos and size 22s. So do you. Be confident, be secure, be fly. Put your lashes on if you need to, get your hair done… whatever it takes to make yourself feel great.” But beyond the glam, Lateshia is intentional about prioritizing herself now more than ever. “I wasn’t doing that before. And that wasn’t authentic. So now, I protect my energy. I say no when I need to. And I show up for me first.”
Expanding the Narrative of What Success Looks Like
Lateshia knows the power of her presence, even if it took her a moment to realize the impact. “I didn’t set out to change the narrative,” she admitted. “I’m just showing up as me. But the messages I get from women? They tell me I inspire them. That they see themselves in me. That means everything.” She laughed as she got real: “No, I don’t always love wearing Spanx. But I love showing women they can rock a pantsuit, wear their faja, and still get money. You can show up stylish, curvy, and confident and that doesn’t cancel out your power.”
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What’s Still Missing in Plus Size Media Representation
“Curvy women need to know they can shoot their shot,” Lateshia said. “Sometimes it’s about our mindset. We think we can’t go after certain things because of our size. But we have to change that. There need to be more platforms like The Curvy Fashionista that show us what’s possible.” She also emphasized the importance of actively creating space, not just waiting to be invited in. “We need to see more curvy women being pitched, being booked, being seen. We deserve to be in every room.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
When asked how she hopes to inspire the next wave of curvy girls, Lateshia lit up: “Just look at me! I’m from a small town in Mississippi with 1,500 people. But I always knew I was meant for more. So, I want every girl watching to know you are not your environment. You can think yourself out of it. Believe with me.” Her story is proof that you don’t have to wait for permission. “Shoot your shot. What’s the worst that can happen? They say no. Okay, go ask the next person.”
A Love Letter to Her Body
To close out the interview, we asked Lateshia what she would say to her body in a love letter. Her answer was both raw and poetic: “I love you. I see you trying. I see you fighting. You are beautiful. You are worthy. The most beautiful creation I’ve ever seen. The way you move, the way you feel… you are magic. And I love you.”
The Importance of Joyful Movement
Lateshia Pearson's journey also touches upon the importance of movement and physical activity, not solely for weight loss, but for overall well-being. Growing up in a plus-size body often comes with external pressures to engage in sports or physical activity, rooted in the idea that movement equals weight loss. However, research and personal experiences show that exercise doesn't always result in weight loss, and that's not the most important reason to move our bodies.
Embracing Joyful Movement
Joyful movement is a way of approaching physical activity that focuses on choice, happiness, celebration, intuition, pleasure, and flexibility. It starts with finding an activity you genuinely enjoy, whether it's walking your pet, dancing, or swimming. We often have grand ideas of what exercise "should" look like, but the truth is that moving your body in any capacity is beneficial to both your mind and spirit.
Benefits Beyond Weight Loss
There are numerous benefits to movement that have no connection to weight loss, including improved sleeping habits, stress reduction, and enhanced mindfulness. It's essential to find something that works for you, as not everyone enjoys the same type of movement. If possible, find a friend who shares your interests in physical activity to make it even more enjoyable.
Setting Realistic Goals
Setting a realistic goal can be important when you’re starting a joyful movement journey. The purpose of shifting the focus to celebrating your body includes not focusing on weight loss or burning calories. A realistic goal may look like committing to 15 minutes of movement per day to start and adjust that going forward as you find something you enjoy.
Shifting Perspectives on Exercise
Fat activists emphasize the importance of understanding the science behind exercise and weight loss, discovering that exercising doesn't actually lead to weight loss. This understanding shifts our perspective around movement and exercise. If we can think of movement as something we do for fun, connection to ourselves and others, mental and physical health, and because we freaking love it, we will start to choose activities that feel good. The more we focus on exercise for weight loss the more we are robbed of the ACTUAL benefits of movement and why exercise is so essential to our human experience.
The Science Behind Healthy Habits
According to an NIH Article entitled “Healthy lifestyle habits and mortality in overweight and obese individuals,” healthy lifestyle habits are associated with a significant decrease in mortality regardless of baseline BMI. Individuals were divided into groups based on their BMI and the amount of “healthy behaviors” they adopted over 14 years including not smoking, eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, moderate alcohol consumption, and exercising 12 days per month. When all four of these behaviors were put into action, regardless of the person’s BMI, their overall health risk decreased and there was virtually no difference across all the BMI categories. Most importantly to our point, the weight of the participants did not change over time regardless of the adopted “healthy habits.”
Listening to Your Body
It's crucial to start joyful movement slowly and gently. Movement is meant to feel good, even when we’re pushing ourselves, and we shouldn’t be pushing past where our body is able, as that only leads to pain and injury. The only way to do this is to slow down and listen to our bodies. Talk to our bodies. Be gentle and kind with our bodies. Not ask it to do what it can’t just because we could 5 years ago or because someone next to us can.