Meet Tiah Tomlin-Harris | Advocate, Breast health educator & Engagement and outreach consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiah Tomlin-Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiah, what do you want your legacy to be?
I hope that when I leave this place and people say my name or think of me, they will smile. They would think of the loving and caring person that I am. They would speak highly of me, telling the world that I was an example of what it means to walk in your purpose and leave this place empty. They would say, she truly was a change agent for our community and believed that no woman should walk the breast cancer journey alone. She spoke out about the impact that breast cancer has on black women and was determined to be a part of the solution to end disparities. She was a loyal friend and faithful in everything. She believed that no matter what the situation looked like, she was going to trust God. Ultimately, I hope that my life’s walk and testimony will encourage others to walk in their purpose and to keep going, no matter how many times life knocks you down, have faith, and just keep moving.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For over 20 years, I worked in the pharmaceutical industry. While I was climbing the corporate ladder, I felt like I was missing something in my life. Well, that something was discovered in 2015, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was then that I realized that I was just living and not walking in my purpose. Getting that “it’s cancer” call made me realize immediately that there was a greater calling over my life. I asked God if he see me through the journey, I would commit my life to helping as many women as I can. And that is when I went from living to a life of purpose.

I started a sisterhood called My Breast Years Ahead because I wanted women, especially young black women, battling cancer to know that they are loved and are not in this alone in this journey. We now have close to 650 women in our sisterhood and it’s open for women with any type of cancer.

I also co-founded My Style Matters, a 501c3 non-profit organization, that is dedicated to helping improve the lives of individuals living with and thriving from cancer through educational programs and direct support services. Our focus is on helping individuals, families, and communities Kick Can’t-cer through a healthy lifestyle.

I became an advocate and advocate for survivors on capitol hill; serve as an advisory board member for serval organizations and pharmaceutical companies; published a research paper; spoke on numerous panels including the American Society for Clinical Oncology and American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

I am most passionate about addressing the disparities in breast cancer, as this disease is now the leading cause of cancer-related death amongst black women. I am on a mission to move black teens and women from breast health awareness to action and developed the Breast Health Matters program to educate black women and teens groups about breast health, breast cancer, risk factors, and risk reduction. I also created and launched Hey Girl Hey parties, a fun and interactive private event for women to have a safe space to talk about breast health with their sister circle in the comfort of their home.

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?
Covid has really put a damper on my outings. I work with the vulnerable community so I try to limit my movement. But our first place to visit would be Taverna Plaka to grab a bite to eat and be entertained by dancing and the throwing of napkins. Opah! Next I would seek out where Quinn and the Jukebox are playing. Live music is everything and they really make my soul dance…and my feet hurt. 🙂 Saturday morning, I would swing over to Joy Cafe for brunch and find an outdoor concert to attend that evening. Atlanta is good for that. If we can’t find an outdoor concert, then I would check out the City Winery. If all else fails, Ormsbys is the place to go for a chill, yet fun time. Sunday we would praise the Lord and head over to the Breakfast Club for brunch. Of course, there would be a wait. Wouldn’t be a great spot if it wasn’t.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wendall and Rhenea – parents

Shawn – business partner and friend

Maurice – husband

My Style Matters, Inc – a non-profit organization that I co-founded

My Breast Years Ahead Sisterhood – a community support group that I founded

The Nilmot Group, LLC – my business

Website: www.mystylematters.org

Instagram: @mystylematters

Twitter: @mystylematters2

Facebook: @mystylematters

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVvFT5lQsoPKy_1oWnvFNuw

Other: www.breasthealthmatters.org