Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tyniece Wingfield. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Tyniece thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

I recently had the opportunity to plan and host my very own event entitled Faith, Family, Fitness, and Finance Expo. I was able to blend my occupation as a Care Coordinator in behavioral health with my event planning company, The Digital Wing. Although my company is for profit I will always have a philanthropic arm that helps the underserved. It is important to have opportunities where I can serve those that are less fortunate. I was able to team up with the International Health Commission of The AME Church and The Word Church (Cleveland, Ohio) in order to address disparities that are plaguing our communities. Some of these disparities are food insecurities, access to affordable healthcare, affordable housing, education discrimination, poverty amongst other issues.

We were able to host 2 panel discussion about health and wealth and the importance of having resources in our marginalized communities. We united with the new CEO of MetroHealth Hospital, Dr. Airica Steed to broaden the discussion around healthcare disparities and her vision to eliminate them. We had a plethora of retail and resource vendors during our market exhibition that gave our 500+ attendees a “wealth” of knowledge.

It matters to me that whenever someone sees The Digital Wing or my name associated with an activity, an event, or serving in the community that we are on a mission to make a difference. My mom raised us to care about those who may not have been as fortunate as I was. My mom (Erma J. Wingfield) visited the nursing homes, homeless shelters, local jails, and hospitals often as a part of her ministry. I am following in her footsteps as I honor her legacy of service while creating one of my own.

Tyniece, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My event planning journey started as me organizing a wedding rehearsal in 1998. I wasn’t in the wedding but there to support. It was a bit of exciting chaos happening and time was getting away from us. With absolutely no experience at all, I instructed folk where to sit, stand and how to march.

I have had the opportunity for 20+ years to work in the event planning space helping clients to bring their vision to life. We provide event management, logistics, marketing, media, coordinating and consulting services. With these services we are able to unburden our clients by taking on all the details so that they are able to enjoy their special day. We now focus more on fundraising events, corporate events, galas, conferences, workshops, and virtual events, etc.

What sets us a part is we work with your team to identify strategy, areas of opportunity for growth, we are honest if we cannot take the project and we like to have fun. “If we cannot enjoy it we do not employ it”.

We are most proud of working behind the scenes of some of the most noteworthy events in Cleveland, Ohio and surrounding areas. We are looking to take our talents on the road as we expand our business. If you book with us or if you need a service referral we are here to deliver. I have a background in behavioral health which allows me the benefit of offering empathy, support, and meaningful ways to cope in the most stressful times during the event planning process.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Now this may rub some folk the wrong way but I had to unlearn the ideology that “the customer is always right”. I took some abuse over the years because I would allow customers to treat me any kind of way. I never wanted to disappoint my customer and I would always try to go above and beyond even if the ask was outside the scope of my contract.

Today, if a client and I do not see eye-to-eye I still try to hear them and deliver the best service I can. I do not however, tolerate being berated or haggled because they are unable to afford my services. I educate my clients and I use fair and honest practices to operate.

It’s simple. I treat them how I want to be treated.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Some people know this but others do not. I lost my mom April 14th 2020. My mom was my inspiration. My mom was my source of strength. My mom was gifted in so many ways. I was able to be her caretaker along with my siblings and my dad before she passed. It was an honor to take care of her. She instilled resiliency in me. A little over a year later one of my sisters was killed tragically in a car accident. The next several months would be riddled with losses. Family, friends, and acquaintances. My dad also had his fair share of health challenges that would have me back and forth to the doctor with him even a 10-day stay in the hospital.

The grief was overwhelming. Still is. This year I experienced my own health crisis where I was diagnosed with a herniated disc that disabled me for nearly 2 months. I have had my challenges throughout my life but this was the first time I had ever experienced back-to-back hardships. I felt like my foundation was moved. I had to grow. I had no idea I was built like this. I mean all of this and I am still standing (well maybe sitting depending on how this disc acts). Resiliency is now woven into the fabric of my being. I wear it as a badge of honor proudly.

I encourage anyone facing difficult, unexpected, life-altering experiences to stay the course. Lean in to your support systems, eat healthy, pray, exercise, laugh and cry. You do not have to be strong to prove anything to anyone. Take care of you–mind, body, and soul. You will be amazed at what you are made of. The fire will refine you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thedigitalwing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyniecej/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyniecej
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyniece-wingfield-8999b416/

Image Credits
VARR Studios Natasha Herbert Photography