Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebony Monchoir & Nathifa Robinson
Hi Ebony & Nathifa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Ebony and Nathifa are the co-founders of LiveLoveCru. Both Brooklyn, NY natives who moved to Miami in 2019, we launched our nonprofit organization in 2024 with the mission to empower our community through initiatives like The Blessed Bites Project. Guided by the values of courage, respect, and unity, we are dedicated to creating lasting change in South Florida and beyond. Our journey began in e-commerce, where we sold products aimed to empower individuals. From the beginning, we were motivated by the courage to help others grow and become their best selves. Over time, we realized that while personal empowerment was important, unity and community support were crucial to creating lasting change. This realization led us to pivot into nonprofit work where we could have a direct impact on those in need. The driving force behind our work has always been respect for the people we serve. We’ve been able to translate this into projects like The Blessed Bites Project, where we prepare and serve meals monthly to unhoused individuals in South Florida. #TheBBProject is an ongoing initiative that continues to nourish bodies and souls. We also ran The Diapers and Dignity Drive, a short-term initiative in which we successfully collected over 2,500 feminine and baby care products for sheltered young mothers. As we look ahead, we are excited to create and grow these initiatives with the ultimate goal of reaching both national and global communities. Our work is deeply rooted in the principles of Courage, Respect, and Unity and we believe that leading by example, can spark change, both locally and globally.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has had its challenges but every obstacle has taught us important lessons in resilience. One of the toughest challenges came when we transitioned from operating as a business to becoming a nonprofit. It was not an easy shift, especially when it came to rethinking our strategy on how we can serve the community effectively. Another significant struggle occurred during our Diapers and Dignity Drive when we struggled to secure product-based sponsorships from large corporations. We hit several roadblocks, but instead of giving up, we turned to our community for support. Through the love and unity of the people around us, we were able to achieve our goal. This experience reinforced the idea that while corporate support is valuable, the strength of our unity within the community is even more powerful. By coming together, we were able to accomplish much more than we expected.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Our work is focused on cultural empowerment through coaching where we guide individuals in aligning with their purpose and overcoming personal challenges. This approach underpins all of our community centered initiatives like #TheBBProject. What sets us apart is how deeply we are committed to the values of courage, respect and unity. For example, we don’t just distribute food or supplies, we create spaces where people feel seen, respected and a part of something larger. We don’t just meet immediate needs, we foster a culture of compassion and dignity. In addition to our nonprofit work, Ebony is a wellness practitioner and educator, preparing for law school, while Nathifa is pursuing a career as a funeral director/embalmer. These diverse experiences allow us to approach community empowerment from different angles, addressing both the spiritual and material needs of those we serve. At LiveLoveCru, we are proud to be a grassroots organization, knowing that even small actions can have a ripple effect. While we focus on local impact, we are working towards national and international change through unity and empowerment.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Our biggest advice is to trust your heart and have the courage to follow it. Early on we focused too much on profits over passion, but we’ve learned that when you follow your true purpose, the profits come naturally. The respect you show for yourself and your work will attract the right people and opportunities. Another lesson is to embrace divine timing. We spent a long time hesitating before shifting to a nonprofit, but now we see that everything happened exactly when it was meant to. No matter where you are on your journey, trust that things are unfolding as they should. Once you take the leap of faith, keep going. The road will have many challenges, both internal and external, but staying connected to your “why” will carry you through. Surround yourself with supportive people, who believe in your vision and together, you will overcome any obstacle. Your dreams are possible, your time is now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://livelovecru.myflodesk.com/a762xbll63
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livelovecru/
- Other: Donate to #TheBBProject- https://gofund.me/7a41e9d0
