Meet Tawana Pruitt | Survivor, Author & Motivational Speaker

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

Hi Tawana, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When deciding on my business(es) I had to think about the audience and whether or not I could reach them. Was my idea attainable while being reachable. How would it benefit my audience? Would they learn and grow from it? Could my name become a name that would be recognizable?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a Alumni of Indiana University Northwest, SPEA Department with a double Masters Degree in both Criminal Justice and Public Administration. With that being said I relocated to Georgia in 2006 and changed my entire career to becoming an Educator. Being and Educator is not only my career but it’s my passion to ensure that the scholars are educated and retain that which is instructed. This hasn’t always been easy for me due to the politics of the educational system. I wasn’t raised to be a yes sir type of individual. Therefore I don’t conform to that of the good ole boys club.

I’m also a Behavior Clinician as well as a Registered Behavior Technician. Where I worked with individuals from age 2 – 21 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is a second passion of mines because I my eldest son has this diagnosis along with ADHD, BiPolar and Schizophrenia. My second born grand daughter whom I like to refer to as my twin has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (high functioning). I’ve taught them that just because you have a special needs diagnosis doesn’t mean you are handicap. Because a diagnosis is just that and it can be strengthened to benefit the individual. I’m NOT a crutch and I’m NOT that parent/grandparent to use a diagnosis to hold them down to low levels. We reach beyond the stars in this family!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well if my best friend who I refer to as Sis would visit the Atlanta area for a week with me, I would arrange for the following to take place:

Breakfast – Rosie’s Cafe, Atlanta Breakfast Club, Thumbs Up Diner and Breakfast at Barney’s.
Lunch – Slutty Vegan, Cheesecake Factory, The Optimist and Blue Ridge Grill.
Dinner – Yard Bird, Blaze Steakhouse, Old Lady Gang, South City Midtown, Bones Restaurant and The Capital Grille.

Night(s) on the town would include: visiting Anthony D’Or for wine tasting, Canvas Creations by You for some girls night giggles while we sip and paint the neon style, Blue Flame so we could have a nice chill night while the ladies dance and we make it rain. This is just to name a few. Because when we get together it’s nothing but positive vibes, love, laughter and a good memorable time.

We would eat nothing but the best to include Lamb Chops and the drinks would never stop flowing like Deleon and whatever the top shelf had to offer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I can’t go without dedicating this interview to my late Granny Girl Mrs. Allonia Lewis Pruitt. She always told me to stand in my truth and that no one could ever tell my story but me! I live each and every day reminding myself of the knowledge that my Granny Girl instilled in me.

Website: www.tawanapruitt.com

Instagram: here_i_am3518

Linkedin: Tawana Pruitt

Twitter: TawanaPruitt

Facebook: Here I Am Lord I Surrender

Youtube: Here_I_AmRadio

Image Credits
Photo Credits – True Definition Photography Photo Credits – Tawana D. Pruitt