From the Yard to the World: Winning Publicist LaTorria Lemon Enriches Her CAU Bonds With Meaningful Mentorship
Written By: Dani Canada
For award-winning publicist LaTorria Lemon, returning to Clark Atlanta University for homecoming is a nostalgic and heartwarming "full circle celebration." It’s not just about seeing familiar faces but also about honoring the place that shaped her journey. As she reconnects with her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters, friends, and the university itself, LaTorria feels a profound sense of gratitude and appreciation. Speaking with OffTheYard, she shared, “We’re all coming back to show love to not just each other but also the university—it’s a beautiful feeling.”
During her undergraduate years, LaTorria was deeply involved in planning and organizing homecoming events, balancing responsibilities in public relations and her role on the Royal Court. “In undergrad, I was so busy planning homecomings and being active on campus that I didn’t really get to grasp the element of just having fun during homecoming,” she explained. The obligations kept her from fully savoring the festivities. Now, as an alumna, she experiences homecoming in a relaxed and joyful way, unburdened by student duties. Unlike when she was a student and felt “at home” year-round, returning as an alumna brings a renewed sense of appreciation for the celebration.
The highlight of CAU’s homecoming, according to LaTorria, is the tailgate. For her, it’s less about the football game and more about the vibrant community, the cooking, and the reunion tents that give it a family-reunion feel. Each department and organization, including the School of Mass Media Arts, where she earned her degree, has its own tent, creating an atmosphere that’s part cookout, part homecoming reunion. “Our tailgate is really just a lot of tents, cooking, and barbecuing...that's the star of the show,” she told OffTheYard, laughing, “I can never tell you if we won the game or not because we’re not even paying attention to the game.”
Reflecting on her career in public relations, LaTorria believes that students should maximize every opportunity for internships, volunteering, and networking, especially during their time at CAU. She advised, “Be hungry, not thirsty,” urging students to seek experiences that may not always come with financial rewards but can lead to valuable connections. “Some of the relationships I made came from volunteering, interning—those were priceless moments that led into my career,” she told OffTheYard, stressing the importance of building relationships with classmates and professors, who can later become vital parts of their professional networks.
Mentorship is also essential to LaTorria, who encourages students to seek mentors and be proactive in the relationship. Her own mentors have played pivotal roles in her career, guiding her through highs and lows. As a mentor herself, LaTorria values the opportunity to guide students and early-career professionals, emphasizing that successful mentorship requires commitment from both sides. “Get a mentor and learn how to be a mentee,” she advised. “I always tell my mentees, there’s knowledge and opportunity that I have, but I also want to see that you have a desire and that you want it.” LaTorria believes mentees should contribute to the relationship by demonstrating persistence, follow-through, and a willingness to learn.
In addition to CAU’s homecoming, LaTorria has attended other HBCU homecomings, including those at Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University, and Howard University. While she appreciates the unique traditions each campus offers, for LaTorria, there’s no place like CAU. She enjoys the concerts and large-scale events at other schools but feels most at home at CAU’s tailgate, with its laid-back, familial atmosphere. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, “It’s actually kind of cool to see everybody’s tradition...but I always say, hey, there’s no place like home for me.”
LaTorria’s love for her alma mater and the community she built there shines through in her conversation with OffTheYard. For her, CAU homecoming is more than a reunion—it’s a reminder of where it all began and a celebration of the enduring bonds that continue to shape her life.