Meet Latoya mckelvin | Movement Matters Collective Founder, Movement Specialist and Pilates Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Latoya mckelvin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Latoya, how does your business help the community?
Movement Matters Collective (MMC) goes beyond being a fitness studio – we’re a community hub dedicated to making well-being accessible and transformative.

We offer a diverse range of group classes, 1:1 sessions, and workshops catering to all ages, no matter your age or where you are on your wellness journey. Our goal is to create a welcoming space where everyone feels comfortable exploring movement and its positive impact on mind and body. We offer a holistic approach to wellness through workshops and events on topics like nutrition, stress management, and mindfulness, empowering individuals to cultivate a well-rounded approach to well-being. Community is at our core. Group classes and social events foster a sense of belonging and support. Individuals connect, motivate each other, and find strength in a shared journey toward well-being.

We’re a Black-owned and woman-led business. By actively promoting inclusivity and representation, we inspire individuals who might not have traditionally seen themselves in the wellness space. We partner with local organizations and initiatives that support historically excluded communities and promote access to health and wellness resources.

In essence, MMC empowers our community by providing the tools, knowledge, support system and space needed to embrace movement as a powerful tool for positive change, both personally and within the broader San Diego wellness landscape.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Movement Matters Collective (MMC) is a community-focused health and wellness organization. Our goal is to assist people from all walks of life in finding joy on their wellness journey. Our collaborative brings together amazing Pilates, Yoga, and wellness guides to provide group classes, 1:1 sessions, workshops, and workplace wellness programs, both in-studio and on-site. As a Black woman-owned wellness enclave, MMC strives to inspire individuals who might not have traditionally seen themselves reflected in the wellness space. Through partnerships with local organizations and initiatives that support historically excluded communities, we are part of an integrative local ecosystem that provides access to health and wellness resources.

Whenever I discuss MMC, I have to use words like “our” or “us” simply because it was such a collaborative effort. From being inspired by the amazing women in my family, to MMC’s Co-Founder my husband who has so much faith in his daydreaming Pisces wife, to the fabulous mentors who have provided guidance along the way, and to the beautiful individuals who make up the MMC tribe – you are all part of every detail.
The most rewarding part of MMC is seeing the bonds and connections that are created and continue to grow outside of our four walls.

As a dancer, if you had asked me if I intended to start a business, the answer would have been absolutely not! I remember being a tween telling my mom that I was going to live the life of a starving artist.
Along this journey, I’ve learned to be curious, to be driven by purpose, to reflect, and to go with the flow. I feel like I’ve found my true self on this path.
Overall, the message is clear and inspiring. Keep up the great work!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Sunday- Yoga on the cliffs w/ Yoga Jawn, day hanging out in OB then Bite to eat at Plant Power.

Monday- Yoga at the Japanese Friendship Garden w/ John Ortiz, Walk Balboa Park, World Beat Center Cafe for lunch. Check out a Museum, and Donna Jeans for dinner

Tuesday – Coffee at Cafe X, Pilates class at Pilates of San Diego East Village, Yasai Little Italy for an early dinner. Mothership for drinks

Wednesday- Coffee at the Coffee drop, afternoon at MMC’s open studio catching up on work & connecting with fellow co-workers. A personal candle experience with Dripping Candles by Chelle at the San Diego Made Factory

Thursday: Late breakfast at Lucky’s, North Park Farmers Market, Dance skate class and skating at Ringers

Friday: Drinks at the LaFayette Hotel, Show at the Owl San Diego

Saturday: Kairoa happy hour, show at Diversionary theatre, Redhouse pizza for aftershow theatre.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Movement Matters Collective thrives because of the incredible community it fosters. Countless individuals have directly or indirectly contributed to our journey. A major cornerstone of our success can definitely be attributed to the phenomenal female figures who have guided me from the very beginning. My mom, my aunts, and my sister are the northern star that initiated this MMC.

An immense thank you goes to incredible female mentors like Julie Sweet and Stella Hull-Lampkin. Their guidance has been invaluable, equipping me with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the entrepreneurial path.

On this journey, I’ve met and been embraced by incredible Black women entrepreneurs. We are all on our own paths but it is a constant source of strength and comfort to share space, uplift each other, and persevere.

Together, these incredible women have been instrumental in shaping Movement Matters Collective into the community hub it is today. Their influence and support are deeply appreciated.

Website: www.movementmatterscollective.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/movementmatterscollective

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/latoyamckelvin

Facebook: www.facebook.com/movementmattersco

Other: google business, https://g.co/kgs/WMx21U2