Conversations with Tamira M. Moon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamira M. Moon.

Hi Tamira M., so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
CommUNITY is the heartbeat of my work, and that has guided me from the very beginning.
I’m an Ohio Buckeye who now calls Atlanta home as a proud Georgia Peach, and my journey into public health started with a simple but powerful desire: to serve, to advocate, and to create meaningful change for communities that are often overlooked.

I’m a two-time graduate of The Ohio State University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development and my Master of Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Promotion. From there, I built a career that blends strategy with real, community-centered impact, ensuring that the work doesn’t just look good on paper, but actually improves lives.
I spent over a decade leading statewide and national efforts focused on cancer prevention, education, and support, as well as advancing health equity, diversity, and inclusion. Through this work, I helped shape programs, design initiatives, and support public health efforts that reached communities across the country. But while I was doing this professionally, something deeply personal was unfolding.

During that time, my mother, Theresa Moon, was diagnosed with and passed away from a rare cancer, leiomyosarcoma. That experience forever changed me. It made the work I was doing no longer just professional, but deeply personal. I felt called to do something more direct, more intimate, and more rooted in giving back.
I founded To the Moon & Back Foundation, Inc. in 2017 as a love letter to my late mother, with a mission to pay it forward by supporting women and their families. What started as a passion project has grown into a platform that has reached thousands through scholarships, community events, and wellness initiatives. It has been one of the most meaningful ways I’ve been able to turn grief into purpose.

Today, I’m intentional about pushing the work even further by translating my public health expertise into experiences that feel relevant, engaging, and culturally grounded. My newest project, The Love Lab™, is a collaborative, immersive experience created with Chef Jaaion Barnes of Culture & Culinary that explores the connection between food, wellness, and connection. It represents where I am now—bringing together innovation, public health, and community in a way that invites people to not just learn, but to experience and transform.

At every stage of my journey, the goal has remained the same: to create impact that people can feel, see, and carry with them.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has not been a “crystal stair,” but every step has shaped me. One of my biggest challenges has been shifting my mindset from operating within public health organizations to stepping into my role as a public health business leader while still working within traditional systems.

For much of my career, I worked within established structures where resources, processes, and decision-making pathways were already in place. I knew how to lead and drive impact in those environments. My training and credentials equipped me with the technical expertise to design, implement, and evaluate effective public health strategies. But building something of my own required a different level of ownership. I had to move from executing within systems to helping build them, from contributing to a vision to actively shaping and sustaining it.

That transition required me to think differently about sustainability, partnerships, and growth. Expanding my work beyond traditional public health settings meant navigating uncertainty, wearing multiple hats, and making decisions without a clear roadmap. There were moments when the vision felt bigger than the capacity, and I had to trust myself to grow into it.
At the same time, I have continued to navigate spaces that are not always designed with equity at the center, advocating for ideas that challenge the status quo, often without immediate buy-in.

What has made this journey possible is a strong support system. I have been fortunate to have a dedicated network around me, including the board of To the Moon & Back Foundation, Inc., who help guide the vision, provide strategic insight, and ensure the work continues to grow with intention.

Through it all, I’ve learned that leadership evolves. It is not just about operating within systems, but also about having the courage to build alongside them. Each challenge has strengthened my ability to lead with clarity, stay grounded in my purpose, and step more fully into my role as both a public health leader and a business builder.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What sets my work apart is how I bring ideas to life in ways that feel real and relatable.

I don’t just create programs. I create experiences. Whether I’m advancing health equity, serving as Co-Chair of the Atlanta Black Chambers Health & Wellness Committee, or reimagining wellness through The Love Lab™ as Creative Curator, I focus on making the work practical, engaging, and relatable to everyday life.

I’ve learned that people don’t connect with information alone. They connect with how it shows up in their everyday lives. That’s why I blend strategy with culture, storytelling, and community. It’s important to me that the work is not only effective, but also meaningful and accessible.

What I’m most proud of is my ability to move between spaces and bring them together. I can sit at tables where decisions are made, and I can show up in community spaces to ensure those decisions truly reflect the people they are meant to serve. I don’t wait for a seat at the table. I help build tables that center community and drive impact.

At the end of the day, I want people to walk away from my work not just informed, but motivated to change.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that purpose must lead, even when the path is uncertain.

There will always be moments of doubt, transitions, and unexpected challenges. But when you are clear on your purpose, it becomes your anchor. It guides your decisions, shapes your resilience, and keeps you moving forward even when things don’t unfold as planned.

I’ve also learned the importance of knowing your self-worth. For a long time, I led with service and altruism, which will always be at the core of who I am. Over time, I learned that serving others and valuing my expertise are not mutually exclusive. Recognizing the worth of my expertise and learning how to build sustainably around it has been a major part of my journey.

I’ve learned to trust my voice and my vision. Not everyone will understand it immediately, and that’s okay. What matters is staying aligned with the impact you’re called to make.

At the end of the day, success for me is not just about achievement. It’s about creating something that leaves people better, stronger, and more empowered, and building a life and career that reflects both purpose and value.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ttmab.org/
• Instagram: ttmabfoundation
• Facebook: To the Moon & Back Foundation, Inc.
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamiramoon/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TotheMoonBackFoundation-v5o