At an early age, Tonya's parents recognized their daughter was blessed with many talents. Tonya loved to sing and play the piano. An "old" spirit it was not uncommon to hear Tonya capturing an audience--passionately bellowing out one of her favorite singers-Billie Holliday tunes. As a young teenager, Tonya continued to perform. In addition to doing back up vocals for local rap artists, she sang in her church choir and later joined radio pioneer and civil rights leader, Bob Law, Respect Yourself Youth Choir.Tonya eventually gave up her love for performing to focus on her new life as a wife and mother. In 2001, after finally ending her tumultuous marriage, she suddenly became ill. Convinced that she was going to die, she decided to write a memoir to leave as a legacy for her precious children. After showing the first few chapters to a few friends, Tonya ultimately decided to fictionalize her book. Less than five months later, Leaving the Wilderness, Tonya's debut novel was released! The book and Tonya's poetic style of writing received many accolades from the publishing industry. Rawsistaz--the largest online book club--dubbed her, "The anointed writer..." Tonya is also the author of the award winning novel, Jay's Mansion, Cha-Ching and she is also a contributor of 100 Words of Wisdom for Women.The success of Leaving the Wilderness combined with Tonya's warm and outgoing spirit embarked her on another facet of her lifelong journey. Today, as a domestic violence advocate, Tonya travels throughout the country speaking on her experiences. A tireless advocate, Tonya will soon open The Ronald N. Vaughn House of Hope and Serenity. The transition shelter, which is named after her late father, will provide housing and other services to battered women and their families to help rebuild their lives.Tonya has been featured on radio, and print including, BET.com, Times Dispatch, Richmond Voice, New York Newsday, Streez Magazines.In 2004, Tonya launched Leave the Wilderness, an international ministry dedicated to aiding and uplifting battered women and their children. As the CEO of her organization, she has sponsored numerous events to benefit the restoration of battered women. Always ambitious, in early 2005, Tonya began writing the stage play for Leaving the Wilderness. In the fall of 2005, Tonya presented Leaving the Wilderness the stage production. The star-studded production received rave reviews and will continue production in 2008. Through her organization, Leave the Wilderness she has partnered with countless organizations to eradicate domestic violence, including, Hiyaahpower.com, and Chosen Communications.In the fall 2006, Tonya launched The Tonya Blount Show an inspirational and lifestyles television talk show. The show aired in Virginia on MYTV and will air in NYC in October 2007. Early 2007, the show named "The Best Variety Show" by YOUnity Guild America (www.disilgold.com), and Tonya Blount was named "The Best New Talk Show Host by Marguerite Press.Tonya is also huge sports fan. Her love allowed her the opportunity to partner with several organizations...the NASCAR endorsed Association for Diversity in Motor Sports (AFDIMS), whose mission is to create participation and legacy in the motor sports industry through exposure to the sport, education and career training, and Tonya is also a contributing editor for Fighting City magazine--a magazine that promotes boxing. She is the spokesperson for Driven2read.org, an organization based in Richmond, Virginia that promotes reading and writing and the former spokesmodel for Fezelry Jewelry.
