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

Tonya, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

This Is 4 My Girlz, Inc. is a youth organization on a mission to equip and empower the young ladies of our future with opportunities to reach their full potential beyond their circumstances. Our focus is on personal development, safety awareness, essential life skills, career development, and the value of life for all womankind.

I founded This Is 4 My Girlz back in 2015, but the seeds were planted much earlier in my life. What started as a personal desire to simply give back, soon became a full circle moment for me. I had a sheltered upbringing, but my mother’s love was my anchor, and my grandmother’s stern guidance kept me on a righteous path. I’m so grateful for the foundation they gave me, but coming from a complex family dynamic, there were gaps in support and connection that still left me searching for my own village and the opportunity to preserve more childhood experiences.

The groups I did get to experience – the Archonettes of Zeta Phi Beta Inc., the San Antonio Youth Ensemble (S.A.Y.E.), and Southeast Heat Track Club – showed me how powerful these spaces could be. Those opportunities in my formative years continue to inspire my community work today, and they really show the lasting impact that structured youth development can have on one’s path through life.

Those experiences of belonging and growth stayed with me even in my adult years. From childhood to becoming a successful multi-business owner, impactful connections with female peers over time, and my commitment to being an exemplary mother to my daughter has ignited a fire to carry the vision of This Is 4 My Girlz, Inc. all the way through.

When I became a teen mom at 19, I soon realized even more how one’s environment can be of influence or impact and how important having a supportive village is, all while leading by example for young ladies like me and my daughter Genesis.

Here’s a little known fact: This Is 4 My Girlz’s logo is really special to me – it has an amplified ‘G’ that serves two purposes. It honors both the Gen-Z “girlz” we serve and my daughter Genesis, whose name is also the inspiration behind our scholarship program.

This Is 4 My Girlz is about creating that perfect balance – a place where girls learn essential life skills while also having the freedom to just enjoy being young. We tackle the important stuff but make sure there’s plenty of room for fun and making memories too.
We’re a welcoming village where every girl belongs regardless of her background or circumstances. We work alongside parents while offering extra guidance, resources, and that special sense of sisterhood.

I wanted to create something that wasn’t just another program but felt innovative and exciting – where learning happens alongside empowered experiences that transform how these young women see themselves and their futures.

We’re all about giving girls the support and chances they need to reach their full potential, no matter what challenges they face. I truly believe they can make their mark on the world when they have the right people in their corner for guidance, resources, and support.

Today, we run all kinds of mentorship programs and workshops for young ladies – annual charm school, personal safety training, college tours, annual tea parties partnered with DreamWeek San Antonio, mental health workshops, interview coaching – everything they need to succeed in life and thrive against adversity with GODFIDENCE!

Some of our community efforts, signature events, and emerging programs include: our “Stuff-The-Purse” Project, the “Passion 4 Fashion” show, “Unity In The Park” Field Day / Health & Wellness Fair, “Rhythm & Girlz” Step Team, costume-themed “Fall Charity Ball,” the “We Are One” annual gala, “The Summit Jam” (our upcoming youth conference), GeneSIS Scholarship & QUEENDOM Awards, “SiSTARS Circle” group bonding activities, HBCU college tours, and a mental health awareness podcast.

We team up with community leaders throughout the year to teach girls about hygiene, money management, public speaking, etiquette, law enforcement rights & interaction, roadside safety, self-care practices, nutrition & culinary basics, first aid CPR training, and more.

I am especially grateful for our team of dedicated mentors called #TheCommunityGodmothers, who use their time, skills, and expertise to pour into our members – Chandra Johnson (Chief Operating Officer), Charity Reid (Financial Literacy Coach), Na-Tasha Thomas (SiSTARS Circle Program Director), Rai Washington (Personal Safety Mentor), Ginger Gold (Inner “G” Beauty Advisor), and Andrea Shackleford (Volunteer Engagement Specialist).

This Is 4 My Girlz has open enrollment for girls ages 8-17 and young ladies 18-24, offering exclusive year-round access to our workshops and events, essential resources, group outings/activities, college tours, scholarships, community service, career development, and more!

Tonya, 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?

People call me ‘TheOneWomanArmy’ because I am a visionary by nature and run several businesses alongside This Is 4 My Girlz, which is truly my heart project.
I’ve got my graphic design business (DESIGNS.U.NV Creative Hub), a mobile boutique that partners with our “Stuff-The-Purse” Project (SouthernDemeanor), a photography/party rental business (The Bigger Picture Studio), life insurance & mobile notary (The R.E.I.G.N. Agency), and real estate investing (Powerhouse Property Solutions & Design).

What drives me in all my work is promoting platforms that encourage creative expression, breaking down barriers for communities of color, and helping families build wealth and leave legacies.

But above all my professional accomplishments, I consider my role as a mother my most important and rewarding title. I take particular pride in my daughter’s 2025 graduation from thee Prairie View A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing, a Digital Media Arts minor, and a first-generation college graduate. That’s a defining testament and reflection of my stride through motherhood and single-parenting, and I am so very proud of her!

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2021, despite professional success, Tonya faced significant personal challenges that required difficult decisions and sacrifices. This period became a pivotal moment for her to prioritize her mental health, personal sovereignty, and self-respect.

During this rebuilding phase, Tonya experienced revelations about personal relationships in her life – some positive, some negative – all of which contributed to her healing journey and personal growth. This time of reflection allowed her to emerge with a renewed approach to life centered on accountability, obedience, faith, passion, purpose, boundaries, self-love, and spiritual guidance.

Tonya now views those difficult losses as essential lessons that realigned her with more meaningful blessings and opportunities. This personal transformation has inspired her leadership approach and deepened her ability to connect with and guide the young women served by This Is 4 My Girlz, Inc.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

This Is 4 My Girlz was entirely self-funded by me from its founding in 2015 until recently. In 2025, we expanded our organization’s structure into a year-round program and started offering memberships that bring in yearly income.

Currently, our programs and efforts are supported through diversified funding, which includes:

– Awarded grants
– Fundraising projects
– Donor contributions
– Corporate sponsorships
– Membership dues

This shift from solely self-funded to a more sustainable financial model shows how much This Is 4 My Girlz, Inc. has grown and the bigger impact we’re making after ten years serving our community. We’re creating the village I always wanted more of – not just for me, but for every girl who needs it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thisis4mygirlz.org
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thisis4mygirlz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisis4mygirlz
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thisis4mygirlz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thisis4mygirlz
• Other: www.tiktok.com/@thisis4mygirlz, https://linktr.ee/thisis4mygirlz (LinkTree)

Image Credits

– Lamarcus Feggins, Different World Images
– Tonya Swain, The Bigger Picture Studio