In this interview, we delve into the inspiring story of how Lashontrei Henton, the Writer and Founder of The Caleb Book Series, built her path to success in the literary world. Join us as Lashontrei shares her journey, the pivotal decisions that shaped her career, the values that drive her work, and the ways she is redefining the role of a children’s author. Discover how The Caleb Book Series has evolved from a heartfelt personal project into a movement of empowerment for children, how Lashontrei navigated the challenges of balancing multiple roles, and her aspirations for the future. Get ready to be inspired by Lashontrei’s dedication, resilience, and vision for making a lasting impact on young readers everywhere.
Journey to Becoming a Leader in the Industry
As a single mother and caregiver, Lashontrei Henton found her purpose in storytelling. Her journey began with a desire to heal and uplift—not just for herself and her son, but for communities that often felt unseen. Her son, Caleb, became both the inspiration and motivation for The Caleb Book Series, a self-published brand that has since blossomed into a full movement centered on self-love and self-awareness for children. A pivotal moment in her career came when she pursued her Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications at the University of West Alabama. Lashontrei didn’t just earn a degree—she actively applied her learning in real time to expand and enhance The Caleb Book Series. Marketing strategies, branding techniques, and campaign development lessons were integrated directly into her work, and her journey was later featured in a University of West Alabama news article, highlighting how she used those skills to create and scale her series.
Inspiration Behind Starting The Caleb Book Series
The inspiration behind The Caleb Book Series was deeply personal. When Caleb was diagnosed with autism, Lashontrei began writing down observations and affirmations to help him understand and express himself. These affirmations transformed into stories, and ultimately into a mission to help children everywhere feel empowered, seen, and celebrated. From this foundation, The Caleb Book Series quickly expanded beyond books. Lashontrei launched the “I Matter Workshop” with the support of two local small business owners—Hometown Nutrition and Suga Moma’s Cupcakes & Thangs. Together, they organized a fundraiser that helped fund the workshop and collaborated with mentorship programs, proving that when communities work together, real change is possible. Her goal remains to foster confidence and communication in children, especially those who are neurodivergent or from underserved communities.
Values and Principles Guiding the Career
Empathy, authenticity, faith, and consistency are the principles that have guided Lashontrei’s career. These values are at the core of everything she creates, whether it be writing a book, producing content, or engaging directly with families. She leads with heart and purpose, aiming to ensure that every child who opens one of her books or attends one of her events feels that they matter. As a woman of faith and resilience, with a professional background in Integrated Marketing Communications, she strives to communicate with clarity and intent—not simply to promote her brand, but to connect with people on a deeper level. Her “why” remains constant: to use storytelling as a transformative tool to shift perspectives and uplift voices.
Biggest Influences and Impact on Leadership Style
Lashontrei’s biggest influence is her son, Caleb. Watching him grow and learn gave her the courage to create and the determination to share his story with the world. She also draws inspiration from the writers in her family, including her grandparents, Robert and Susan Hairston, and her aunt, Regina Hairston Smith. Their encouragement and belief in her voice as a writer provided the foundation for her storytelling and leadership style.
Industry Disruption in 2025
Lashontrei is redefining what it means to be a children’s author. The Caleb Book Series is not just a set of books—it is a movement, a mission, and a measurable force for change. By blending education, advocacy, and emotional development into every product and event, Lashontrei has created something that resonates deeply with families and educators alike.
Staying Ahead of Market Trends and Innovating Continuously
Lashontrei stays ahead of the curve by remaining deeply connected to her audience. She actively listens to families, educators, and community leaders to understand the evolving social and emotional needs of children. For her, true innovation happens at the intersection of purpose and strategy.
Significant Challenges in 2025 and Overcoming Them
Balancing motherhood, her role as a full-time caregiver and designee director in childcare, community work, and entrepreneurship has been her most significant challenge. While she has not yet fully transitioned out of her childcare role at House of F.A.M.E., she has learned to maximize “the margins”—small windows of time that she uses to create a big impact.
Her mentor, Tonya Ware, along with her family—Mary Jernigan, Tynneshia Armstrong, and Tandreka Hemphill—play an important role in her journey. Even though she does not have an official team, they are always there to help ensure The Caleb Book Series events run smoothly, and their support means the world to her. Her creative and production support from LateBloom Productions, combined with encouragement from loved ones, ensures she never feels alone in her work.
Approach to Risk Management and Decision-Making in Uncertain Times
Lashontrei combines intuition with insight when making decisions. She prays, conducts thorough research, and then executes, always with contingencies in mind. She often relies on feedback loops and small-scale pilot launches to test ideas before making major investments. For example, before committing to large inventory orders for plush toys or affirmation cards, she tests the market through focus groups to ensure demand.
Qualities Defining a Great Business Leader
Lashontrei believes great leaders are defined by resilience, clarity, creativity, and compassion. They must understand timing, maintain consistency, and never compromise on their core mission. She strives to embody these qualities by balancing her personal responsibilities, delivering with excellence, and remaining present even in challenging times. Creativity and accountability are essential to her leadership approach.
Inspiring and Motivating Others
While she does not currently lead a formal team, Lashontrei draws motivation from her support network and the positive feedback she receives from parents and educators. These stories of impact remind her of her larger mission and inspire her to keep going.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity is at the heart of The Caleb Book Series. Lashontrei partners with inclusive businesses and collaborators to ensure representation in everything she produces. Inclusivity is not just a principle—it is the lifeblood of her brand.
Balancing Business Goals and a Positive Work Environment
Lashontrei prioritizes mental peace and personal alignment, incorporating creative breaks, check-in tools, and flexibility into her workflow. She understands that balance is key to sustaining long-term success.
Influence on the Industry Over the Next Five Years
In the coming years, Lashontrei envisions The Caleb Book Series being present in more bookstores, homes, classrooms, and community centers worldwide. She aims to expand the reach of the “I Matter” movement, while personally continuing her work as a creative visionary, speaker, and mentor to aspiring authors and leaders.
Advice for Aspiring Business Leaders
Her advice to aspiring leaders is to start with their own story and let it serve others. Purpose should always come before perfection. She emphasizes that massive followings are not required for massive impact—consistency and clarity are far more important. She encourages entrepreneurs to apply for contests, speak up, invest in their craft, remain open to pivoting, and always believe in their own magic.
Significant Achievements and Milestones
Lashontrei’s achievements include being recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Emerging Leaders, placing in the Top 20 for the Entrepreneur of Impact Contest, winning Third Place in the BookFest Awards for Children’s Beginning Readers with The Troublemakers (2024), and receiving the Children’s Fiction Book Excellence Award for The Troublemakers (2024). She was a finalist in the American Legacy Book Awards for My Variety Child (2024) and in the International Book Awards for the same title (2023). Her work has been featured in a Times Square Video Montage for the BookFest Awards, and My Variety Child won Second Place for Book Cover Design in both the Illustration and Children’s Family categories (2023).
In conclusion, Lashontrei Henton’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and purpose-driven storytelling. From transforming personal experiences into a movement that inspires children to embrace their uniqueness, to building a brand that champions inclusivity and empowerment, her work continues to leave a lasting mark on communities and readers alike. With an unwavering commitment to her mission and a vision for expanding her influence globally, Lashontrei stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring leaders and creatives determined to make an impact.
