Founder/President
Although I was Detroit bred, Memphis fed me, planted seeds in me, and cultivated me into the woman I have blossomed into today. I graduated with a B.S in Real Estate Finance from the University of Memphis in 2012 and became a licensed real estate agent in Tennessee. During my college tenure, I began my philanthropic journey by volunteering with Literacy Midsouth tutoring elementary children. I continued that journey by mentoring youth through the Memphis Ambassador Program (M.A.P), where I impacted the lives of young high school students and volunteered to Dress for Success, helping to facilitate fundraisers during the tenure of Susan Kyles. I also participated on the community involvement committee for the University of Memphis’ M.I.L.E program, where we volunteered periodically at the Ronald McDonald and Grizzlies house.
However, soon after graduation, I started my family, and after becoming a mother, my views on health and wellness drastically changed. I conducted an immense amount of research regarding what it means to live a healthy and holistic lifestyle. I learned the importance of incorporating quality, whole fresh foods into our diets to aid in our cognitive and physical development. I knew the dangers of overconsuming processed foods. I realized that the community where I grew up and many minority communities that mirror mine was mildly aware of these dangers. The community landscape didn’t support this theory considering the growing number of fast-food chains, liquor stores on each corner, and the lack of access to quality grocers. At this moment, I grew a passion and purpose to share my findings with my community and help them to live healthier lifestyles.
In March of 2015, I conceptualized Fresh Start Kidz, Inc. (FSK) to bridge the gap between families denied access to quality, fresh, and healthy food. In Dec 2015, I self-published my first book, “No Way Tré You Can’t Have Your Way, Fruit Instead of Junk Food Today,” to educate the youth on a rudimentary level on why junk food is not a good option for them and how they could make more delicious, healthier choices. In February 2016, I incorporated Fresh Start Kidz, Inc. as a 501c3 non-profit under the laws of Tennessee and, in December 2020, a domestic foreign 501c3 in the state of Georgia.
Since I found Fresh Start Kidz, Inc, I held a summer program at Freedom Prep Highschool in Whitehaven, TN, where I educated the students on the importance of making healthy choices. I have donated over 250 books throughout the Memphis community and specifically South Memphis. I joined forces with Super Star “Young Dolph” and hosted Back 2 School drives in 2016 and 2017, and in November 2018, we hosted a Turkey giveaway where we donated over 300 turkeys to the South Memphis and 300 turkeys in Englewood, IL.
My goal is to leave a national health-driven footprint by giving back to underprivileged communities and making healthy food more accessible