Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonya Adair.
Hi Tonya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always been one who cares about people and love to help others realize their greatest potential. I’m a PK (pastor’s kid) and my life is rooted in believing in the power of service to others and to community. My life experiences have served to influence decisions along the way, and I tried to never let my circumstances dictate my outcomes.
I was a single mom when I started my career as an educator, teaching first grade and kindergarten in a small school in Louisiana. My son was my motivation to complete college, believing that my education would change the trajectory of his life. Growing up in the South, my high school years were not pleasant. Receiving little guidance, it was hard navigating through an era of bussing across city lines to ensure the integration of schools in neighborhoods where people like me did not feel welcome.
During my senior year, I met my guidance counselor who told me that college was not for me. This motivated me to go to college. Although it was hard, and interrupted by an unplanned pregnancy, I completed my bachelor’s degree 6 ½ years after high school.
I started teaching less than a month later. Shortly after, I married and moved to Wisconsin, continuing as a middle school math and science teacher, and after 9 years, I divorced and became a single mom again. I faced many struggles, but I never gave up on me, nor my sons. In fact, my own lived experiences became motivation for several parents watching me. As a single mom, I completed my master’s degree and continued to advance in my career, all while others were standing by watching my journey – parents of my students, friends, and church members. All of which shared that I became their motivation for college attainment.
As an educator, my goal was always to ensure better experiences than my own, for those I served. In every role, teacher, principal, and district administrator, my focus was always on helping my students and others thrive regardless of circumstances. I believed this while navigating through my own circumstances. Although I never pictured myself working in any other field of work, I knew that making a difference was always my self-driven charge.
As a non-profit leader, I realize now more than ever that I am called to serve, to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our community’s most vulnerable. That calling may look different from others, and I’m perfectly okay with that. Each of us has a unique, purpose-driven role to play in transforming our communities, shaped by our own lived experiences.
Whether it’s strategically advocating to remove barriers and amplifying the voices of those who have been silenced or creating opportunities and experiences that impact families for generations, my journey is deeply rooted in servanthood. I am committed to answering a call that is far greater than myself.
Since 2018, I’ve served as a non-profit leader in the City of Detroit. As an impact leader I worked to drive support to underserved communities, collaborated with regional business leaders and local philanthropic organizations to form collective impact partnerships focused on helping youth and families thrive.
During the pandemic, I partnered with philanthropy and local faith-based organizations and school districts to drive support into vulnerable communities. Most recently, I was selected as President and CEO of Alternatives For Girls (AFG). For over 37 years, AFG serves vulnerable girls and young women who are at risk of or are experiencing trauma from homelessness, violence or exploitation. We help them navigate through their traumatic circumstances to build a better future for themselves. I know without a doubt; I am where I am supposed to be. My experiences have led me to this space, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.
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?
Since childhood, I’ve faced many challenges. One of the most difficult, though rarely spoken about, is the trauma of being molested at a young age. This experience haunted me for years, well into adulthood because I kept it to myself for so long. I suffered in silence, plagued by nightmares of being molested and even raped. It wasn’t until I confided in a woman at my church, that I began to experience healing. I later learned she had endured a similar trauma. It was through that connection and shared vulnerability that I found freedom from the hurt and shame.
In a previous response, I shared other life experiences that have shaped who I am, growing up in the South, facing the challenges of divorce, and navigating single parenthood. All of these experiences have become building blocks in my journey, helping me grow into a servant leader who is both resilient and deeply relatable to those I’ve had the honor of serving over the years.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I proudly serve as President and CEO of Alternatives For Girls (AFG), a Detroit based, multi-service agency focused on helping our most vulnerable girls and young women who are at risk or have experienced trauma from homelessness, violence, or exploitation. We provide several comprehensive services to ensure girls and young women are supported and able to make positive changes that will positively impact their lives. Our work relies on the belief that every individual, when given the right support and guidance, has the potential to make a positive change not only in their own life, but in the world around them.
Prior to AFG I served for six years as an executive leader for United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM). Since my arrival to the United Way in 2018, I served in various capacities and focused on positively impacting children and families in communities served across Southeastern Michigan, I initiated programs and partnerships to deepen investments and capacity building supports in BIPOC-led organizations, schools, faith-based institutions, and smaller non-profits to advance United Way’s vision of creating more equitable communities across Southeastern Michigan, particularly during the pandemic. I led efforts to establish the organization’s first Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion department in 2021 and launched a regional 21-Day Equity Challenge engaging nearly 9,000 local and national community members in conversations to disrupt inequitable and non-inclusive practices.
I’ve spearheaded numerous initiatives and forged valuable partnerships to address pressing community needs leading multiple UWSEM partnerships and initiatives, including Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) Audacious Project COVID response and other Collective Impact digital inclusion efforts like Connect 313 (in partnership with City of Detroit & Rocket Community Fund) and Tech United (in partnership with 11 CIO leaders from major enterprise companies in Michigan) and created additional programs to support technology attainment for local students, Tech Funds for Detroit Charter School Students (in partnership with Skillman Foundation and Children’s Foundation),
My early career began as a teacher in a small school in Monroe, Louisiana. In 1997. From there, I relocated with my family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where I spent 26 years serving as an educator. Over the course of my tenure, I held a variety of leadership roles including teacher, curriculum coordinator, assistant principal, high school principal, chief innovation officer, and ultimately, chief academic officer for the largest school district in Wisconsin.
Beyond my professional commitments, I actively serve as Chair of the Board of Directors for City Year Detroit, Board Member of for the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan and Detroit Empowerment Plan. I am also a founding member of AYA House, and recently served as a Greenlight Fund- Detroit Advisory Council Member.
I believe my contributions and leadership have earned numerous accolades, including 2024 Michigan Chronicles Women of Excellence Honoree, 2023 Crain’s Notable Leaders in DEI Honoree, Corp! Magazine 2020 Salute to Diversity Award, a 2018 inductee of Alverno College Vanguard Society, as an esteemed alumnus, and a 2018 Top Ladies of Distinction Awardee.
I am a proud HBCU alumnus of Louisiana’s Grambling State University with a BS in Education and Alverno College of Wisconsin with an MA in Education Administration & Leadership. My educational background also includes ABD doctoral studies in Language and Literacy with Cardinal Stritch University which unfortunately closed during the pandemic.
I am most proud of my work in and with the community through the various organizations I’ve had the privilege to serve. From educator to nonprofit leader, each role has been different, but all have been rooted in a deep commitment to servant leadership. Through these organizations and alongside many amazing team members I have led efforts that have brought about tangible, positive outcomes for thousands of individuals. With the support of the community, our work has empowered people from all backgrounds to thrive.
I remain truly amazed and grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given to serve in every community I’ve called home. My passion continues to be fueled by purpose, and I am blessed to carry that forward in the great City of Detroit.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Life’s difficulties are tools and steps that lead you to your purpose. Never give up on your dreams and your God given purpose in life. Know that you are not in this work alone, be willing to partner with others and sometimes be willing to build the community tables you are seeking to be a part of. Regardless of what is going on around you, whatever you do, stay focused!
Contact Info:
- Website: www,alternativesforgirls.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alternativesforgirls/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlternativesForGirls
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alternatives-for-girls
