Monika C. Mathews is building a community of caring and opportunity for Seattle’s youth

By Vaughn Williams

Monika C. Matthews, Director of Life Enrichment Group and owner of Queen Care, spoke about the importance of self-care and Black business ownership while updating the community about her group's upcoming event the Dash for Education/Community. This event is an annual spring fundraiser for the Life Enrichment Group, happening this Saturday, from 1-3 pm at 3702 South Hudson Street. (For information check out the flier below).

Matthews spoke about the importance of mental health, especially amongst the youth within our communities.

"This year's fundraiser is really so that we can invest in the mental welfare of our young people," said Matthews. With COVID-19 falling out of the public consciousness, Matthews believes that moving forward, mental health should be a priority for the community.

Matthews also remarked on the significance of mentoring youth and entrepreneurship because, at this year's fundraiser, Life Enrichment Group will be offering programs focusing on internships and college exploration. 

"Everything around me was just negative," said Matthews as she reminisced about when she first moved to Washington. Matthews described how she felt directionless and how her moment of clarity was sparked through her love for her son. "I didn't want better for myself, but I wanted better for him," said Matthews.

This revelation was the catalyst for Matthews' to start her business,  "You are going to be what you didn't have growing up to these young people. You are going to be that support system that wraps your arms around these young people and loves them like they're your own," said Matthews.  

Matthews spoke in-depth about Young Queens, a leadership and personal development program that Life Enrichment Group offered in several public schools across Seattle. Matthews believes that the current education system is failing the youth and that the community needs to insert itself into the education space so that Black youth in Seattle can succeed. "We want our young people to go to college; it doesn't matter if it is a two-year, four-year, or vocational school," said Matthews.

Queen Care, Matthews' business, is a full-circle experience." Those same streets that I was running back then, now I'm here in a positive capacity," said Matthews. 

Owning a business according to Matthews is vital because she can teach the youth the importance of entrepreneurship. However, most importantly, Matthews wants to start a legacy of Black-owned businesses.

"We are always stopping and starting, we're starting a business, but then two years later, you don't see it anymore for various reasons. I want to combat against that; Our culture is always stopping and starting. I want to leave my kids something," said Matthews. 

Check out the Life Enrichment Group at,  http://lifeenrichmentgroup.org/

Also check out Queen Care at,  https://www.queencareproducts.com/ 

Watch the full youtube interview with Matthews above.