We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tasha Mae a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tasha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Yes, our organization, Advocacy Queen, actively serves an underserved community, specifically targeting marginalized and historically oppressed communities in Washington State, with a focus on those entangled in the complex webs of systemic services, legal, and governmental barriers.

My work is deeply rooted in my experiences as a Black American who navigated Washington State’s social and legal systems as a single mother for over two decades. This personal journey fuels my mission to dismantle the historic barriers that disproportionately impact communities of color. An exemplar of our commitment is our Advocacy Self-Defense Course, designed to equip individuals from low-income or historically marginalized communities with the skills needed to navigate and advocate within these systems confidently.

A story that encapsulates the essence of our impact involves a recent participant, Maria, a single mother struggling to access necessary legal aid due to language barriers and a lack of culturally relevant resources. Through our course, Maria learned crucial advocacy strategies, like effective documentation and navigating bureaucratic hurdles, which empowered her to successfully secure much-needed services for her family. Her success story is a testament to the transformative power of our approach, which not only educates but also empowers individuals to stand up for their rights and facilitates a more equitable access to justice.

Our initiatives like these are crucial in a landscape where such communities are often overlooked and underrepresented, and every story of empowerment further motivates us to expand our reach and deepen our impact.

Tasha, 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?

I’m Tasha Mae, a passionate influencer, advocate, and pageant guru, known for breaking barriers in both the beauty and advocacy sectors. My journey began in pageantry, where I made history as the first Black recipient of a Global Beauty Award, earning titles like Miss Plus America 2010 and Mrs. Curvé Globe 2020. These experiences not only spotlighted my commitment to inclusivity and empowerment but also paved the way for my deeper mission in advocacy.

In 2023, I founded Advocacy Queen, a nonprofit dedicated to being a modern-day underground railroad for marginalized individuals navigating complex systems and barriers in society. This initiative is deeply personal and stems from my own experiences navigating Washington State’s social and legal systems as a single mother. Advocacy Queen offers courses like the Advocacy Self-Defense Bootcamp, designed to empower individuals by teaching them to navigate and advocate within these systems effectively. We address issues such as systemic racism, navigational, informational, and representational barriers, making our programming not only relevant but deeply impactful.

What sets us apart is our community-centric approach, ensuring that our programs are developed with and for the communities we serve. This approach fosters a strong sense of ownership and relevance among our participants, enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of our interventions. I am most proud of how Advocacy Queen has empowered countless individuals to stand up for their rights and effectively advocate for themselves and their communities.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that Advocacy Queen is more than an organization; it’s a movement towards empowerment through education and strategic self-advocacy. We are committed to making a tangible impact, helping individuals to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and knowledge .

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My journey has been marked by considerable challenges that have not only tested my resilience but also shaped my advocacy. As a single mother for over two decades, I’ve faced a myriad of adversities, including two experiences of homelessness, surviving domestic violence, being underemployed, and wrestling with various financial struggles. These experiences were compounded by my battles with depression and overcoming childhood trauma.

Each of these hardships has left an indelible mark on my life, teaching me invaluable lessons about strength, perseverance, and the power of self-advocacy. These personal battles have been instrumental in founding Advocacy Queen, an organization born out of a need to channel my experiences into a force for positive change. Advocacy Queen is more than an organization; it is a testament to what can be achieved when we refuse to be defined by our circumstances.

Our mission at Advocacy Queen is to empower individuals not only to navigate complex systems and services but to become adept at advocating and representing themselves. Through tailored courses like the Advocacy Self-Defense Course, we equip participants with the tools and knowledge to challenge the status quo and transform their lives. My personal story of resilience and transformation underscores every lesson we teach, making our programs deeply relatable and impactful.

This journey from surviving to thriving is what drives me every day. It’s a reminder of the transformative power of resilience and the importance of self-advocacy. I am committed to helping others find their voice and stand up against the injustices they face, inspired by my own experiences of overcoming and moving forward.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most transformative lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the notion that passion alone is enough to drive success. Early in my career, I often acted on impulse, fueled by my desire to make an immediate impact in my community. I have a natural gift for organizing and advocating, but I found myself repeatedly launching into projects and events without adequate preparation or financial backing. This eagerness, although well-intentioned, frequently led to post-event challenges that were difficult to recover from, both financially and emotionally.

The turning point came after several such experiences, where the aftermath forced me to confront the realities of inadequate planning and support. I realized that while my talent and passion were strong, they needed to be balanced with strategic planning and resource management. This epiphany led me to shift my approach significantly. Now, I no longer rush into projects. Instead, I ensure that every initiative is well-planned, adequately supported, and fully funded before moving forward.

This change has taught me the value of patience and humility—learning to postpone, alter, or even cancel projects if they’re not viable at the time. I’ve learned to take a thorough inventory of what’s possible and to act based on preparedness, not just passion. This disciplined approach doesn’t dampen my enthusiasm but rather directs it more productively, ensuring that when I do act, it’s sustainable and impactful. Through this process, I’ve also learned not to be discouraged by delays or setbacks, understanding that the right time will come for my visions to be fully realized, and until then, I do the best I can with what I have. This lesson in strategic patience has been crucial, not just for my personal growth but also for the sustained success of my initiatives in empowering and advocating for others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://advocacyqueen.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advocacyqueen?igsh=MWU4ZjIxbXN3ZDRxZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdvocacyQueen?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tasha-mae-4670013a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app