We were lucky to catch up with Aaliyah Strong recently and have shared our conversation below.
Aaliyah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
On February 2,2022 my fiancé Tyshon Ross was shot and killed while we were working at a lounge downtown Atlanta. In the days to follow , the expenses for his funeral on top of bills began to pile up. I had no idea how I would raise the money to lay him to rest, without falling behind on household expenses . Nonetheless, the establishment we were working at was not willing to help with his funeral costs or costs to support my son and I . I then had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life . Do I take care of the house ? Or do I use the money I had left to contribute to the funeral . Ultimately, I used the remainder of my savings to lay Tyshon to rest . I prayed that I would figure out how to move forward and sustain the household expenses . With resources being few to none for survivors of Gun Violence ; my son and I were eventually evicted . I took the risk and ultimately paid the price . However , the blessing in the risk was the fact that I now created an organization that has helped so many families across Georgia (Tyme to Thrive Beyond Grief).
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Aaliyah Strong. I am the Founder & CEO of Tyme to Thrive Beyond Grief. This is an Atlanta based Non-Profit organization . Our mission is to provide financial and emotional support to families who have lost a loved one to Gun Violence.
This organization was founded after my fiancé Tyshon Ross was shot and killed on February 2,2022.
Through my own personal story I realized many victims including myself are often denied services and resources and become victims of their own victimization . This is why I created this organization. Families deserve support ; not only deserve but NEED support and resources after losing a loved one to Gun Violence to assist with long lasting effects of such tragedy .
How did you build your audience on social media?
Social media today played a big part in the growth of this organization. What first started as just a thought ; I began posting my thoughts and other tragic killings happening throughout Atlanta. Slowly but surely I began to realize this journey was familiar to many . As I continue to post and make videos of the struggles I was facing , I began to receive an influx of support and survivor stories , which ultimately led to me creating Tyme to Thrive Beyond Grief .
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Resilient. If I had not tapped into this , I can say without a doubt I would not be where I am today . I faced so many barriers during this journey and grief is a demon of its own.
From the beginning , when I needed resources I received so many “NO’s & Unfortunately”. I wanted to give up , I had nothing left to give . Then , when I was evicted fighting for a place to stay with my son and I , I truly believe if it hadn’t have been for the small circle of support and my resiliency I would not be here telling this story today ; but I kept fighting . I fight for every family who went through this . I fight for families who had no one to fight for them !
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tymetothrive?igshid=YTQwZjQ0NmI0OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/3087632798177191/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF
- Twitter: https://x.com/tymetothrive?s=21&t=SUaByAOLiHuqQD1tpylRYQ
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tymetothrive?si=NAc5Nn7GecrSH_Rs