Meet Lucie S. Matsouaka—a seasoned Author, International Speaker, Certified Professional Career Coach, Certified Human Rights Consultant, and Youth Leadership Coach. Fluent in both English and French, Lucie is dedicated to empowering young leaders worldwide, arming them with the skills and confidence to make a real difference in their communities and beyond.
Her impactful work has received international recognition, from being honored with the prestigious “Prix D’honneur” at Belgium’s Golden Artistic Awards festival to earning accolades from the Maryland General Assembly for her steadfast dedication to promoting peace and human rights through partnerships with organizations like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Lucie’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity shines through her collaborative work in the groundbreaking book ‘Black Girls Hear,’ which achieved Amazon’s Best-seller status. Through this project, she shares stories of resilience and personal growth, amplifying voices that deserve to be heard.
Based in North Carolina with her husband and two children, Lucie’s expertise in coaching, public speaking, and advocacy embodies her passion for driving positive change and inspiring individuals to reach their full potential. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of leadership and the importance of embracing one’s unique voice to create a meaningful impact in the world.
FWM: Tell us about yourself!
LSM: “First and foremost, I pride myself on being a devoted mother—nothing tops the responsibility I feel in shaping my children’s future. I’m all about giving them a robust education, exposing them to different cultures, and constantly evolving myself because, let’s face it, I can’t guide them if I’m not growing myself.
I’m a fighter at heart. I don’t give up easily, pushing until I reach my goals or exhaust every possible option.
Lucie S. Matsouaka
I wear multiple hats in my professional life—I’m an author, a Certified Career Coach, and a bilingual Youth Leadership Coach (fluent in French and English). My sweet spot? Working with young adults, guiding them through understanding the importance of self-leadership before they go into the workforce.
My roots? They’re in Cameroon, Central Africa. However, over the past two decades, I’ve called the US home, after trotting through various African and European countries. These adventures have deeply influenced how I approach coaching and writing—it’s all about embracing diversity and multiple perspectives.”
FWM: What makes you a formidable woman?
LSM: I’m someone who values two key strengths: empathy and resilience. Empathy helps me deeply connect with others, offering meaningful support and understanding. On the flip side, resilience is where I take pride—I bounce back from challenges with determination, choosing to stay positive even when things get tough.
I’m a fighter at heart. I don’t give up easily, pushing until I reach my goals or exhaust every possible option. This determination fuels my drive to conquer or overcome obstacles in both my personal and professional life. Finding a balance between empathy and resilience is crucial to me—it’s about being compassionate while also staying strong within.
FWM: You are a writer. Could you tell us about your journey and what led you to make this choice?
LSM: You know, looking back, my journey into writing has been quite a ride. Back in middle school, used to spin tales in the back of my notebooks, only to get in trouble for it. But it didn’t stop me from wanting to write. Somehow, though, I ended up taking a different path in high school and college.
Unfortunately, with time, the imposter syndrome paid me a visit. It made me doubt that I was good enough to write. But then, something happened in 2017—I was asked to co-author “Black Girls Hear.” That was the turning point. Ever since that breakthrough, I’ve channeled all those pent-up frustrations and ideas into my writing. Instead of just griping about things that bother me, I’ve chosen to educate, provoke thoughts, and start those conversations we often shy away from. I’m a teacher at heart and using my words to encourage change has become my mission. It’s been a journey of resilience, facing doubts but pushing through them. Now, I’m committed to using my voice to advocate and offer solutions. My way of shaping a better world is by sparking tough conversations.
FWM: You recently published a book on leadership for kids, (“The Phenomenal Leader In Me”). Most leadership trainers take their gifts to an older or more mature audience. Why did you decide to focus on children?
LSM: The inspiration behind my leadership book for kids stems from a deep-rooted desire to foster integrity-driven leaders. Initially working as a Career Coach, I noticed a significant gap: individuals, despite excelling in interviews and landing jobs, often struggled to perform well in the long run. Our focus on job-specific skills overlooks the vital interpersonal and self-leadership skills crucial for sustained success.
Observing young adults entering the workforce, I pondered “What if we equipped them with essential self-leadership principles early on?” Hence, I began coaching teenagers and young adults on the importance of self-leadership. Over time, I realized the need for a foundational tool but couldn’t find one that aligned with my vision. That’s when and why I decided to create it myself.
“The Phenomenal Leader In Me” serves as an introduction to leadership principles for children aged 5 to 13. It’s a resource parents can use to instill the belief in their children that they’re destined for greatness. My fervent hope is that every child who reads this book understands that they possess the ability to become exceptional leaders. It’s about embracing principles like honesty, perseverance, compassion, and kindness—recognizing that true leadership extends beyond skills and school grades; it’s also about purpose and service.
My aim is for kids to grasp these concepts early on, making their journey towards leadership smoother. Empowering them with the belief in their potential and instilling these foundational values lays the groundwork for a future generation of impactful leaders.
FWM: What’s next for you?
LSM: After a successful launch in English, I’m thrilled to announce the upcoming releases of the French and Spanish versions of the same book. My goal remains steadfast: to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people globally.
Recently, I hosted the first book signing event for this book at a Barnes & Noble location in North Carolina. Following this, I’ve received invitations from other Barnes & Noble locations, prompting plans for a country-wide and international tour next year. As I prepare for this international journey, I’m considering how to adapt and tailor my teachings to resonate across diverse cultures and languages. It’s an exciting challenge that aligns perfectly with my mission of shaping leaders for tomorrow.
In the meantime, I’ll continue teaching and training young minds, advocating for the essential qualities our society needs in its future leaders. Waiting until they finish college to impart crucial principles seems impractical. It is in fact a lost opportunity, a time wasted, which we may never recover. No matter their chosen career path, nurturing these principles early on is vital.
FWM: What would you like to share with others coming behind you—Especially minority and marginalized populations? What have you overcome?
LSM: As someone born in the continent of Africa and now navigating life in the US, I’ve learned that our struggles often hold the key to our success. It might sound paradoxical but think about it this way: stepping into a new world means a constant process of learning and adaptation. Every hurdle becomes a chance to stretch and grow.
Let’s be real, it’s not always easy and it is not even desirable. In fact, it can be downright painful, with moments when quitting seems like the easiest option. But here’s the thing: the tough times are where the magic happens. They’re the catalyst for personal growth.
I’ve faced rejections, and I still do. Yet, I’ve honed in on my goals so fiercely that the sting of rejection seems to fade away. It’s not that it stops hurting, but my determination overshadows the pain. I’m driven by a vision that makes the obstacles feel like small bumps on the road to something greater.
Keep up with Lucie S. Matsouaka:
The Phenomenal Leader In Me: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550739572546
Other articles about Lucie: https://www.formidablewomanmag.com/fwm-power-20-lucie-matsouaka/
Brainz Magazine: https://www.brainzmagazine.com/executive-contributor/lucie-matsouaka
Website : www.LucieMatsouaka.com
Impressive story and journey. So proud of the goals you are aspiring to attain. What a blessing that these young minds can be transformed by your teachings! They need this guidance now before their subconscious minds are fully developed. Best of luck!!