We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tarea Smith-lewis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tarea below.
Tarea, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?
Since 1990, I have accumulated extensive experience in the mental health industry. Presently, I hold Florida State certifications as a Mental Health Professional, Certified HIV/AIDS Counselor, and Emergency Response Instructor. Previously, I served as the Lead Mental Health Professional at a dual diagnosis facility for three years, concurrently establishing my business while working full-time. My primary objective was to enhance my family’s well-being and contribute to achieving financial stability alongside my husband. I firmly believe that sustaining a family requires collective effort and collaboration to truly prosper.
The bankruptcy of my previous employer, caused by inadequate management practices, led to widespread business closures and unemployment for myself and colleagues. Over several months, I witnessed declining productivity and client numbers, prompting repeated inquiries about the company’s viability, only to receive reassurances. Regrettably, management concealed the organization’s foreclosure status until the eleventh hour, ultimately disclosing plans to close all properties.
This experience revealed the significance of self-sufficiency, highlighting that reliance on others for sustenance can lead to vulnerability. Consequently, I prioritized my vision’s well-being and dedicated myself to expanding my business, ensuring our stability.
Warren Buffett’s statement, “Never depend on a single income, make an investment to create a second source,” emphasizes the importance of diversification and financial security.
Tarea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Tarea Smith-Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of A&T Health And Safety Institute 2000 L.L.C., announces the institution’s 11-year anniversary, highlighting significant achievements in innovation and emergency response. Through strategic rebranding and expansion, A&T Health reinforces its international market presence in CPR/AED education and emergency response training, promoting business and community awareness, education, and hands-on training to foster cognitive development and drive improved outcomes.
My husband Andre Lewis, a retired Sergeant of the Department of Juvenile Justice and trailblazing Senior Emergency Response Instructor, ignited my passion for emergency response training. His remarkable legacy continues through A&T Health And Safety Institute 2000, our joint endeavor to equip institutions worldwide with life-saving skills. As Andre faced health challenges, our shared dream of empowering others only grew stronger, inspiring me to take the reins and drive meaningful impact.
A&T Health is esteemed for its high-caliber emergency response training and equipment solutions, including ZOLL Medical Services Automated External Defibrillators. By adopting a niche marketing approach, we demonstrate specialized expertise, resulting in a competitive advantage within the health and safety training sector.
We distinguish ourselves by developing classroom experiences that are informative, interactive, and of the highest quality, offering participants the most current emergency response data and sophisticated equipment, instructed by seasoned experts. We tailor our programs to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our mobile emergency training solutions address problems on-site, providing comprehensive guidance on managing emergencies and potential crises. Our instructors are forward thinkers who emphasize monitoring baseline states, anticipating issues, and mitigating risks before they escalate. Our Active Shooter Training Program equips clients with effective tools, aligned with our proactive approach.
My company specializes in teaching emergency response techniques such as Stop Life-Threatening Bleeding, CPR, AED, First Aid for Adults/Pediatrics, and “AVERT” (Active Violence Emergency Response Training).
While other programs focus solely on the active shooter or stopping the bleed, AVERT goes beyond that by combining both of these important topics in a blended training program. We sell essential life-saving equipment such as ZOLL AED Products and Mobilized Comprehensive Rescue Systems with a built-in Android tablet and interactive instructional rescue app through ZOLL Medical Services.
We are known for our commitment to excellence and community involvement.
Are you aware that in our own neighborhoods, Black and Hispanic individuals are 26% less likely to receive life-saving bystander CPR than their white counterparts? In public spaces, this disparity grows to 37%. This staggering reality inspired our initiative to empower our Black and Brown communities with the knowledge and confidence to provide critical assistance during health emergencies until professional help arrives. We strive to make a positive impact in our black and brown communities by providing in-kind education and resources on sudden cardiac arrest and stroke prevention.
Accidents, medical emergencies, and acts of violence can occur without notice. Treatment in the first few minutes has a significant impact on patient outcomes.
It’s extremely important for everyone to know that if someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest, it is essential to start CPR within minutes, even though emergency personnel are enroute. If CPR is not initiated, it could lead to brain injury, damage, and even death. Severe bleeding can become fatal in 3 to 5 minutes, and airway complications can cause hypoxic brain death in as little as six minutes. It is critical that ordinary citizens be prepared to deal with unexpected emergencies until help arrives.
To add I serve as the founder of Tiandre’s Treasure Chest Inc., which is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. My mission is to eradicate low self-esteem in young women ages 7 and up by fostering strategies, insights, and tools needed to get them back on the “Runway of Life.” We are a full-service, wraparound community-based program, located in Miami Dade County, Florida.
We presently provide programming at Lincoln Gardens Apartments in Brownsville, Florida, and at the New Liberty Square Community Center located in Liberty City, Florida, under the management of Mr. Lavender Martinez and Mr. Nathaniel Joseph, Community Liaison Managers for The Related Group.
We define our wraparound services as a collaborative, strength-based planning approach involving children, youth, and families in a team-oriented environment, shifting from traditional problem-centered models to a needs-driven methodology.
We now partner with Imari Johnson, CCHW Patient Navigator / Facilitator I / Patient Transport Driver Our Village Parenting & Family Strengthening Program at the Jessie Trice community Health Systems and KeTia S. Harris, MPH, CBS, CCHW Program Coordinator / Facilitator II Our Village Parenting & Family Strengthening Program
at the Jessie Trice Community Health Center for pregnant families.
In collaboration with Imari and KeTia, we now offer workshops for parents and caregivers with children ages 0–2-years-old that reside in Miami Dade County. We provide 9-week workshop sessions that include warm meals, group events, education, resources, ongoing network of support, 1 on 1 navigation, strengthening attentive, compassionate, confident nurturing parenting and a certification of completion after a successful 9-week session.
We also provide women and youth empowerment sessions, group therapy with a licensed therapist, financial literacy with William Crawford, Financial Educator, wisdom in the word of God, taught by Dr. Thelma Knowles, and emergency response trainings by Andre Lewis, Sr. Instructor Trainer of A&T Health And Safety Institute 2000 with invaluable support from our sons Joel Lewis and Rondo Smiff, Instructors.
Our 911 to Mom program is designed to empower mothers and daughters to communicate effectively, foster healthy relationships, and establish necessary boundaries.
Lastly, I serve as a published Runway Model and reigning Title Holder of Ms. Runway Curves 2021, leveraging my platform to instruct fashion modeling techniques that combat low self-esteem, culminating in an annual community fashion show offered free of charge
in collaboration with International Designer Ava Stringfellow and her husband Reggie Stringfellow, co-founders of B.Fly Beauty Photos. This event gives our ‘Treasures” an opportunity to grace the “Runway of Life.”
My runway training programming unleashes potential, enabling individuals to feel empowered, overcome obstacles, and realize their limitless capabilities.
I am extremely proud of the fact that we made history! Tiandre’s Treasure Chest Inc. launched the very first mother daughter duo fashion show ever, at the New Liberty Square Community Center on September 24, 2023.
We also partnered with Mr. Damian Dollard, Strategic Distribution Manager for the USA at ZOLL Medical Services, to donate the very first Automated External Defibrillator. The New Liberty Square Community Center located at 6304 NW 14th Ave Miami, FL 33147 received a Power Heart G5 AED on March 12, 2024.
To add, ZOLL Medical Services donated a commemorative plaque to be displayed inside the community center in honor of Tiandre’s Treasure Chest Inc., in collaboration with FL State Senator Shevrin Jones, City of Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez, Chairwoman Christine King, and Commissioner Keon Hardemon.
As we are Service Providers for The Related Group, I am compelled to express gratitude to The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation at The Miami Foundation, under the visionary leadership of Jorge M. Pérez, chairman and CEO of The Related Group, for their philanthropic investment in our grassroots initiative. Their funding facilitated the expansion of our programming to an additional location, resulting in a 45 percent increase in youth served through our summer program and heightened community engagement throughout Dade County, Florida.
Our forthcoming aim is to establish a community emergency responders’ alliance to provide a safe haven for families to dwell and prosper within the New Liberty Square Community and Lincoln Gardens Apartments.
A&T Health And Safety Institute will provide the training and educate the residents in emergency response techniques to ensure the C.E.R.T. Team knows what to do in case of an unexpected emergency.
We are grateful for our cooperate and community partners.
As Territory Development Representative for Simply Healthcare Plans, Inc. Cherentha Ferguson plays a key role in our community partnerships, driving initiatives that bolster collaborations and empower senior citizens in Broward County through emergency preparedness training. Her creative approaches benefit Simply Health members, while strategic planning facilitates partnerships with key stakeholders and officials to amplify our program reach and ensure practical knowledge in responding to sudden emergencies like cardiac arrest.
We also partner with Tiquana Deloach, CEO of Light House Angels, to train the senior citizen population of the New Liberty Square and Lincoln Gardens senior’s program in emergency response techniques and to teach them how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, as well as how to respond confidently in case of an unforeseen emergency until help arrives.
Our organization serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment within our local communities at large. We are changing lives with one family at a time.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I attribute my established market reputation to the consistent quality of our products and services. Our emergency response training programs are unparalleled, tailored to meet specific client needs. Furthermore, our community outreach is extensive, built on a foundation of philanthropy, relationship-building, and strategic partnerships. We have provided complimentary training to thousands of individuals within underserved communities, where access to CPR training is often limited to employment requirements. Our expertise encompasses committee participation, including the American Heart Association Community Impact Equality Board, alongside influential leaders such as Robert Hill Jr., Katherine Nunez, Sabine Delouche, and Christina Vitale
We have also established partnerships with Mr. Terry Joseph Jr. CEO of The Family Christian Association of America. Through a partnership with Special Agent Trevor McKenzie, we have contributed emergency response scholarships to HSI Miami Explorer Post 1811 over the last four years, aiding candidate advancement and graduation readiness.
In my opinion businesses that actively champion local causes demonstrate a steadfast commitment to the community, culminating in heightened customer appreciation and loyalty. Clients exhibit allegiance to businesses that mirror their values and contribute positively to the community. Partnerships with local entities enable businesses to expand their presence and engage a broader demographic. Community collaborations yield innovative opportunities and alliances. Through proactive community involvement, businesses mitigate local issues and enhance the overall well-being of residents.
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
My personal narrative is the most compelling marketing story I’ve shared so far. Its vulnerability and real-life applicability make it memorable and impactful, illustrating that unforeseen challenges are an unavoidable part of life.
In the still of night, at 3 AM, my world narrowed to an unyielding quest for life, propelled by inner fortitude. Drenched in sweat and with difficulty breathing I reached for my husband; his decisive 911 call forged a lifeline. Recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack, he intervened, prepared to administer CPR as my life balanced on the edge. Swift medical response revealed double pulmonary embolisms. Against the clock, doctors performed a lifesaving procedure. My racing heart, beating at 156 times per minute, gradually found its rhythm. Within ICU, I courageously faced 17 immobile hours, knowing each passing moment paved my path to recovery. Three years of healing gave rise to renewed vitality; today, I inspire as a resilient survivor!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://athealthandsafety2000.com/
- Instagram: athealth2000
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AandTHealth/
Image Credits
Tiandre’s Annointed Touch Photography
B.Fly Beauty Photography