Today we’d like to introduce you to Tawanda R. Wilson.
Hi Tawanda R., we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey started from a place of pain, silence, and survival. I grew up in a single-parent home and always desired a relationship with my father. At 13 years old, I finally had the opportunity to spend time with him, believing I was entering a safe space. Instead, I experienced sexual abuse at the hands of the person I trusted most. That moment changed my life and silenced my voice for nearly 30 years. For many years, I carried that trauma privately. I did not know how to process what had happened, so I buried it and learned how to function while silently hurting. Although I never turned to drugs or alcohol, I struggled internally while trying to navigate life as a wife. and mother while trying to heal. Eventually, I realized my story was bigger than my silence. What began as personal healing turned into purpose, and that purpose became Speak Up & Speak Out. I created the movement to encourage survivors to break their silence, reclaim their voice, and begin the journey toward healing. Through my book, speaking engagements, advocacy work, and community outreach, I now use my testimony to help others understand they are not alone. Today, Speak Up & Speak Out is more than a brand or organization; it is a movement focused on healing, awareness, empowerment, and restoration. My mission is to create safe spaces for survivors, educate communities, and remind people that even after trauma, there is still purpose, strength, and life ahead.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. One of the biggest struggles was finding the courage to speak about something I kept hidden for nearly 30 years. Breaking my silence meant confronting pain, trauma, shame, and emotions I had buried for most of my life. There were moments when I questioned whether people would understand my story or even believe me.
Building Speak Up & Speak Out also came with emotional challenges because every time I share my testimony, I have to revisit parts of my healing journey. At the same time, I was balancing life as a wife and mother while trying to pour into others without neglecting my own healing. Another challenge has been creating awareness around sexual abuse and helping people understand the importance of survivor support. These conversations are still uncomfortable for many people, which is exactly why the movement is needed. There were also moments where resources, funding, and opportunities are limited, but I refused to allow obstacles to stop the vision God placed in me. Despite the struggles, every testimony, every survivor who finds their voice, and every person who realizes they are not alone reminds me why Speak Up & Speak Out matters. The journey has not been easy, but it has been purposeful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the founder of a movement dedicated to bringing awareness to sexual abuse, empowering survivors, and creating safe spaces for healing and restoration. Before stepping fully into this role, I spent over 20 years working in Corporate America. While I was successful professionally, I knew there was a deeper purpose in my life beyond my career. Transitioning from Corporate America into this work was not easy because it required me to step outside of my comfort zone and fully embrace my story and calling. What began as personal healing eventually became a purpose. Through speaking engagements, workshops, and books, I now use my voice to help others break their silence and begin their healing journey.
One of the things I am most proud of is finding the courage to use my own story to help others. For years, I lived in silence, but now my testimony has become a source of hope for people who thought they were alone. Seeing survivors regain their voice and realize their pain does not define them is one of the greatest rewards of this journey.
What sets me apart is that Speak Up & Speak Out was born from lived experience. I am not just speaking from research or observation, I am speaking from survival, healing, and purpose. My mission is deeply personal, and that authenticity allows me to connect with people in a genuine and impactful way.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I would not necessarily call it luck; I would call it purpose, faith, and perseverance. Some of the experiences I went through in life felt like “bad luck” at the time, especially enduring abuse, carrying silent pain for years, and navigating difficult seasons personally and professionally. There were moments when I questioned why certain things happened to me, but over time, I realized those experiences were shaping me for the work I do today.
On the other hand, what some may call “good luck” came in the form of opportunities, connections, and the courage to finally use my voice. Doors began to open through speaking opportunities, community support, and people connecting with my story in ways I never imagined.
I believe every challenge and every opportunity played a role in preparing me for this journey. Even the painful parts of my story became part of my purpose. Today, I use those experiences to help others heal, grow, and understand that their past does not disqualify them from making an impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.speakupandspeakout.info
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawanda_wilson?igsh=MTlydmMzeXdwNTlwMg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HN53zKh2H/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawanda-thorne-wilson-57a376173
