50 Under 50 Bio
Meet Tomeka Walker, a true powerhouse of a woman. With an impressive list of qualifications, she's someone who's been there, done that, and still keeps going. Currently serving as the Founder and Executive Director of Khairi and Little Angels' Memorial, an organization named after her baby boy Khairi. Tomeka dedicates herself to educating and advocating in the areas of maternal awareness, and infant care. Tomeka is an accomplished woman. She has worked hard to earn not one, not two, but four degrees with another sure to come. Her passion for education has always driven her forward. Her knowledge of computers and information science was sharpened by obtaining an associate degree from Lawson State Community College and furthering it with a Bachelor of Science from Miles College with a minor in Business Administration. She also felt a pull toward criminal justice and obtained a second bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and then her master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati with a concentration in white-collar crimes. Despite all of her accomplishments, what truly sets Tomeka apart is her heart. Having experienced the pain of losing her only child, she knows firsthand just how isolating and unbearable the pain of grief can be and that's why she decided to do something about it. She became a Certified Childbirth Educator then the passion and calling from God motivated her to share the stories of other mothers in similar situations. She put her writing skills to the test and authored We Heard Your Cry - Real Life Stories of Mothers After the Loss of a Child, not once but twice. Two books filled with heart-wrenching tales of loss, grief and empowerment. The book has given a voice to the mothers who thought they were alone, providing them comfort and healing. Tomeka is proud of the work she has accomplished with her book, and she is forever blessed to have an angel watching over her and cheering her on every step of the way. He may not be here physically, but he is ever so present in her heart. In her spare time, Tomeka devotes herself to learning more about the life and development of infants, bridging the gap between families and grief, and breaking negative stigmas in the African American culture. She is living her life to the fullest, fulfilling the assignment God has given her, and spending quality time with her loved ones while meeting new positive people along the way. Tomeka's determination and drive are a beacon of hope for those around her, and she will undoubtedly continue to make a difference in her community and beyond. Tomeka encourages anyone who wants to learn more about her book to visit her website at www.weheardyourcrybook.com or the organization to visit www.klamemorial.org. Tomeka believes that sharing the stories of others has provided a platform for many women who have gone through a loss like she has and it gives others experiencing the loss hope to overcome and heal. For Tomeka, prayer and education is the key to overcoming any hardship, and We Heard Your Cry is a perfect example of how it can be used to empower and support others.