Meet Monique Rivarde: Founder and President of BFAM, Inc.

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

Hi Monique, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, for the LORD your GOD is with you wherever you go.” This is the last Bible verse that my son Bobby Tillman read the night he was murdered November 7, 2010. This Bible verse has been etched in my soul from the moment I found out that Bobby read it before his murder. Starting my own business, which is an organization named BFAM, Inc. (Bobby Tillman’s Family) honoring my son, I had to be strong and courageous and take risks that a person who has never felt the pain I felt the night my son was murdered would take. My initial goal when starting the organization was to bring awareness to bullying since my son was randomly chosen to be beaten to death. However, as my organization began to form and GOD became the foundation of the organization, I knew that my organizations focus had to change from bullying to self-worth. I became an advocate for instilling self worth. My target audience is our youth, but I spread the message to anyone they GOD puts in my path. I have spoken in prisons, juvenile detention centers, Churches, schools, and other events where our youth are present. My organization has an annual 5K race called the ‘Bobby Tillman 5k Walk/Run of Love race’ and we have awarded 15 scholarships to graduating seniors thus far. I love that Joshua 1:9 reminds me every step of my journey that GOD has me and that I have the courage from GOD to take risks to help our community grow in love.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being the founder and president of my organization BFAM, Inc. has led me to working with our youth on a daily basis. Before my son‘s murder, I was a paralegal with a company in Atlanta. However, after Bobby passed away, I could not go back to that career. Through GOD, my passion became working with our youth and sharing my message of self-worth, self love, success, and courage with the students that crossed my path. Through the beautiful students that GOD brought into my life, I have learned that I have so much to be grateful for. When Bobby left this earth, I felt I had nothing to live for and that I could not even be a mother to my daughter any longer. But spending every day with the children that GOD blessed me with through the school systems, I was able to learn that life is worth living and being grateful for things that we take for granted every day is priceless. I currently work in the special education department at a high school in South Fulton Georgia and I absolutely love it!! The children are such a bright light in my life and a reminder of joy.

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?
The first place I would suggest that a friend visiting Georgia would visit is the CHURCH of Chapel Hill in Douglasville. This church has fed my soul so much and I love attending the virtual service every Sunday. I also love Mexican food, so I was suggest one of the many Mexican food restaurants in Douglasville or in metro Atlanta that are delicious. There are so many to name, but the one that I love the most is La Fiesta Mexican food restaurant. My children and I ate there many times before Bobby passed away. The food is delicious and one of the most authentic tasting we found in Georgia thus far. I would also have my friend visit the aquarium and watch the Beluga whales enjoy themselves. The last place that I would encourage my friend to visitIs one of the many beautiful hiking trails that Georgia has to offer. GOD’s nature is so beautiful and calming that you cannot visit Georgia without spending time in his nature. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Almighty GOD, my beautiful daughter Fashionee, my beautiful mother Juanita, and my family.

Website: www.bobbytillmanfoundation.com

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