Meet Tomeka Mills | Founder of A.W. Brooks Serenity Home, Inc

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

Hi Tomeka, how does your business help the community?
A.W. Brooks Serenity Home is designed to fill a critical gap in our community by providing a safe, stable, and supportive home for high school-aged girls who have experienced trauma, neglect, or displacement. Too often, teenagers are overlooked in the foster care system, and we are working to change that.

Half of my childhood was spent in Ensley, so building this home here is deeply personal for me. I want to give back to the same community that shaped me by creating a place where girls can heal emotionally, gain life skills, pursue education, and prepare for college or a career.

Through our SHE model — Strong, Healing, Empowered — we are not only supporting individual girls but also strengthening families and neighborhoods. The impact reaches beyond Ensley, showing the world what’s possible when we invest in our youth and break cycles of instability.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work with A.W. Brooks Serenity Home is deeply personal and purpose-driven. What sets us apart is that we are building Birmingham’s first purpose-designed group home for high school-aged girls. Most programs focus on younger children, but teenagers — especially those navigating trauma — are often overlooked. Our SHE model, which stands for Strong, Healing, Empowered, ensures that these girls not only have a safe place to live but also receive the emotional support, life skills, and academic preparation they need to thrive.

I am most proud that this vision was born from both personal experience and a lifelong calling to give back. Half of my childhood was spent in Ensley, and it shaped who I am today. To now be in a position to bring hope and healing back to that same community is something I cherish deeply.

It has not been easy — starting a nonprofit from the ground up takes resilience, faith, and determination. There have been challenges with funding, planning, and simply being a new voice trying to break through. But each obstacle has strengthened my commitment. I’ve learned that persistence, transparency, and leaning on your support system are key.

What I want the world to know about me and about A.W. Brooks Serenity Home is that this work is more than an organization — it is a movement. It’s about giving teenage girls who have experienced trauma a second chance at life, breaking cycles of instability, and proving that it’s never too late to chase a dream that makes a difference. Our story is one of faith, courage, and community, and I believe its impact will ripple far beyond Birmingham.”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to visit Birmingham, I’d want them to really experience both the culture of the city and the heart of the community I call home. We’d start the week with good food — breakfast at Yo’ Mama’s downtown for their famous chicken and waffles, and definitely a stop at Green Acres in Ensley for some of the best fried chicken you’ll ever taste.

During the day, we’d visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Kelly Ingram Park, and the church where the four little girls were tragically killed in the 1963 bombing — such an important part of our city’s history to honor and reflect on. Then we’d balance that with fun outings like Railroad Park, a Birmingham Barons baseball game at Regions Field, or exploring Vulcan Park for the best views of the city.

For a slower pace, we’d spend a day at the Birmingham Museum of Art, visit the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and maybe take a short drive up to Red Mountain Park for fresh air and trails. And because my roots are in Ensley, I’d take them there to see the neighborhood that shaped me — the people and the community pride that still mean so much to me today.

What I love about Birmingham is that it’s a place of resilience, history, and creativity. A week here is enough to see that it’s not just about great food and fun spots — it’s about the spirit of the people who make this city special.”

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout first to my father, whose name A.W. Brooks Serenity Home proudly carries. His legacy of faith and strength inspires me every day. I also want to thank my husband, my children, my stepdad, my mom, and my sisters for their constant love and encouragement — their support gives me the foundation I need to keep pushing forward.

Growing up, half of my childhood was spent in Ensley, and the resilience of that community shaped who I am today. I’m also grateful for the mentors and supporters who continue to believe in me and this mission. Their encouragement reminds me that this vision is bigger than me — it’s about creating lasting change for generations to come.

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