By: Paulette McGee
La-Verne Parris, JD, MSc, MEd, embodies resilience, transformation, and empowerment. As an award-winning environmental justice, bioethics, and science educator, certified life coach, and self-taught illustrator, Parris has built a career devoted to inspiring others to strive toward their highest potential. Her diverse skill set and personal journey have culminated in a multifaceted business, La-Verne Parris LLC, which focuses on creating innovative tools and strategies that encourage personal growth and systemic change.
The Roots of Her Mission
Born in Jamaica and raised in the fast-paced world of New York City, Parris blends her cultural heritage and urban experience to craft a unique perspective. Her personal motto, “Happiness is a choice,” reflects her belief that individuals can shape their outlooks even in the face of adversity. Through her work, she encourages individuals and organizations to address challenges and explore opportunities for growth.
As a lifelong caregiver and creative, Parris understands the significance of balance, purpose, and mindset. Her journey from “homeless to homeowner, from hurting to healer, from jobless to job coach” highlights her philosophy of resilience. These experiences have influenced her mission to support others in discovering joy and fulfillment, even during difficult times.
The Happiness Handbooks Series: A Guide to Personal Growth
At the heart of Parris’s work is her acclaimed Happiness Handbooks series. A collection of six mini-books in one, the series provides a humorous, heartfelt, and actionable guide for women navigating life’s challenges. Parris combines power poems, life hacks, and mindset tools to empower readers to reconnect with their authenticity, recharge their emotional energy, and develop resilience in a demanding world.
Drawing on her Jamaican traditions, decades spent in New York City, and extensive travels, Parris offers a perspective that is both culturally rich and universally relatable. The Happiness Handbooks encourage readers to embrace their inner magic and take charge of their lives, illustrating that happiness can be cultivated daily through intentional practice.
Empowering Caregivers Through Innovation
Parris’s work extends beyond her writing. Recognizing the challenges faced by caregivers—particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic—she has developed a dynamic system aimed at helping caregivers thrive both personally and professionally. Her methodologies focus on mindset transformation, supporting caregivers in stepping into their potential and maintaining their well-being while fulfilling their caregiving roles.
Through La-Verne Parris LLC, she collaborates with facilities to create programs that aim to enhance caregiver performance and improve their overall quality of life. By focusing on strategies that align with caregivers’ values and strengths, Parris seeks to ensure they feel supported and prepared to navigate their demanding responsibilities.
Overcoming Adversity: A Personal and Professional Triumph
Parris’s ability to navigate life’s challenges is perhaps best illustrated by her response to a personal crisis in 2022. When her mother faced a health emergency requiring intensive care and rehabilitation, Parris stepped in as a primary caregiver while also supporting her brother with autism and intellectual disabilities.
Despite the immense demands on her time and energy, Parris relied on the mindset tools she had cultivated throughout her career. These strategies enabled her to manage her responsibilities while also nurturing her creativity. During this period, she completed her second book, developed television show treatments, and finalized songs for production—all while caring for her family. Her approach exemplifies how resilience and adaptability can help overcome significant obstacles.
Building Resilient Teams and Cultivating Leadership
Parris’s leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, integrity, and empowerment. She believes in fostering a growth mindset within her teams and draws on the strength of her ancestors to inspire her colleagues. By encouraging creative problem-solving and valuing diverse perspectives, Parris strives to build teams capable of tackling challenges effectively.
Her “CALM” philosophy—Collaborate and lead with integrity, Acknowledge strengths, Learning and growth analyses, and Mindset strengthening—guides her interactions during times of crisis. This approach is designed to help teams remain focused, motivated, and united, even in uncertain situations.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Parris continues to broaden her impact through innovative projects. From developing tools for caregivers and educators to pitching treatments for uplifting reality TV shows, she is consistently exploring new ways to inspire and empower others. Her commitment to protecting her intellectual property and staying ahead of industry trends underscores her dedication to ensuring her work remains relevant and meaningful.
Parris also prioritizes self-care and collaboration in her business practices. By maintaining a consistent routine and seeking support from her network of mentors and peers, she models the principles she advocates. Her emphasis on humility, curiosity, and adaptability allows her to thrive, even in challenging circumstances.
A Legacy of Empowerment
La-Verne Parris is more than a life coach, educator, or author—she is a source of inspiration and empowerment. Through her writing, coaching, and advocacy, she encourages individuals to rise above their circumstances and embrace their potential. Her work reminds us that happiness is an ongoing choice and a practice that can lead to profound personal transformation.
As the Happiness Handbooks encourage readers to “all rise,” Parris’s journey serves as a powerful example of what is possible when we face life’s challenges with courage, humor, and determination. Whether through her books, coaching, or innovative programs, Parris is leaving a meaningful mark on the world, one mindset transformation at a time.
Find the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Handbooks-Verne-Parris/dp/1669841995
More info at: laverneparrislifecoach.com
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results may vary, and readers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for specific guidance tailored to their circumstances.
Published by Tom W.
