Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammi Boyd
Hi Tammi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in South Florida. I was even a pastor’s grandkid; therefore, I grew up in the church. For my formative years all I knew was church; which consisted of Sunday School, morning worship, evening worship, communion, the washing of feet, weekly bible study, prayer meetings, revivals, you name it; I was part of all that. At some point during those years a connection was made within me that knew I was to preach, I just wasn’t sure it was what I wanted to do, due to the “strictness” of religion. However, during my mid-twenties, after exiting a marriage that occurred when I was sixteen years old, I found refuge in the church. So much so that as I was part of a group of women that were the epitome of older women teaching the younger women the way, I got so caught up in religion that it drew me into my calling. Yes, I made my way to the pulpit and in a very bold way. I would preach so powerfully; that I was told I had the spirit of Peter and Paul. Yes, the anointing inside of me made me shine in the pulpit, however, it also opened my eyes to the other side of people that I didn’t pay attention to, because I had blinders on. Finally, I no longer found church to be a safe haven, just a place to keep in line with what had been instilled in me, “you can stay out all night long, but you better be in church come Sunday morning.” After encountering drama, I left the church altogether.
For a period of time, I would not attend church services. Eventually I relocated from Florida to Georgia, and for the sake of me raising young men, I knew I needed to get back to it. So, my church wandering began. At some point, I landed on a church home, but not without resistance. I decided to wait for a long period of time prior to me joining. However, the walls came down and I joined. I started actively engaging in the Praise Dance Ministry; which started pulling the anointing back out of me. Then I would have the opportunity to speak at women’s activities and the gift in me started shining. So much so that I was asked if I would be willing to enter the Minister’s Licensing Program; unfortunately, I declined because after 14 ½ years, I had made the decision to relocate back to Florida.
So, I left my young men in Atlanta and made my way back to Florida. At this point finding an African American progressive church in the area was almost null and void, as a lot were stuck on traditions. But what helped me out was that a pastor was brought in from out of state to run the church where I was to be licensed in ministry. If I’m completely honest, had it not been for them bringing him in, I had no intentions on attending that church. I can literally recall visiting it about a year prior to me returning with the mindset that, “nope, not for me”. However, one day God literally spoke to me one Sunday morning and told me to go back to that church, in which I literally was like “you are joking right?” But I humbled myself and became obedient and attended that Sunday, and because a shift in leadership had taken place; I started attending. To which after months of fellowshipping (resistance present again), I joined. I entered the Ministers in Training Program, and this is where I would ultimately receive my ministerial license. However, not without opposition. I joined a church that was still stuck in tradition and was not quite a fan of women preachers. However, God told me to stay the course, even when some friends were like girl, it may be time for you to go elsewhere. But I had to listen to God and not others. It was during this time, that I really became aware of how badly people sitting in the church was hurting. As I would pray and minister, I would feel the pain of the people. I had deep conversations with God inquiring about “why was the church filled with so many hurting people?” and “How do we help them?”.
Prior to me officially becoming a licensed minister, I had to preach my trial sermon. Unbeknownst to me that was setting me up for a life transforming experience which took me from begging for death to living on purpose. Shortly after my trial sermon a traumatic experience surfaced in my life that caused me to leave the external world and go inside to connect to my higher power. I had always been a prayer warrior, but I was at a place that I could not pray for myself. All I could do was plead for my life to be over. After days of this, God had had enough. A voice spoke to me and asked me “how long are you going to stay like this?” To which I responded, “I am the victim.” To which dead silence occurred. I was then led towards meditation. I had already been dabbling a little bit, but now it became a life-or-death moment for me. Therefore, in addition to my prayers, I started spending more time in meditation and that’s when my healing started occurring. I recall meditating one day and seeing material being stitched together in front of me. God spoke and told me, “I’m healing the broken places of your life.” He also told me, “Your work is not going to be within the confines of a building.” He then proceeded to tell me, “You are going to write a book and tell your story. Your vulnerability and authenticity will allow you to live the life of healing others and have the impact that is needed in this world.”
These are the reasons now that my purpose and passion is to touch as many lives as I possibly can. To advocate for their mental health. I tapped into my spirituality; where I transitioned from being just a minister limited to the four walls of building, but a transformational speaker and life coach that is positioned to reach people right where that are at.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been far from easy. The struggle has been getting in front of the right people or audience that believes in the work that I am doing and willing to help share my gifts and talents with others. I’ve pitched my work to several people, but I guess when you’re selling positivity over drama, that’s not a big draw. Therefore, I created my own platform and started my own inspirational podcast to help get the word out, only to discover that if there’s no mess or drama involved, it’s not big on the popularity tip. I have since been led to have live events with panelists and guests, and that has been allowing me to position my brand for growth and expansion, which is exactly what has been taking place.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart from others is that I am relatable and known for my positive energy. I use my real and raw energy to help deliver messages in such a way that folks are attentive to what I have to say. I have on countless occasions been told that “your energy is contagious”. This is after persons have witnessed me speaking or ministering.
My brand: Thassa Woman is a name given to me by comedian DC Young Fly. I was at a comedy show at the Palm Beach Improv and went up to get my date a drink and when he saw me, he started screaming THASSA WOMANNNNN. The crowd went crazy, and the video went viral with over 2 million views.
At the time he gave me the name, I wasn’t ready to brand it because I had my healing journey to go through. Now that I have gone through it, Thassa Woman LLC is a huge advocate for mental health and healing. A brand that instills confidence in both men and women.
I am now a Life Coach here to help guide others towards their healing and forging a path forward by offering tools and tips to help encourage people on their life’s journey.
I am a transformational speaker, who offers different vantage points which equips and empowers people to do their work, and tap into the power that is within them, while maintaining their connection to God, the Creator.
I get a thrill out of hosting events as either a moderator or MC, because the energy I bring to the table tends to connect with others and they can feel it.
I have a podcast that I titled, “Planting and/or Watering” on You Tube. The reason for the title is because I am offering words of encouragement. As I have elevated spiritually, I am fully aware that all are not on the level that I am spiritually and may not have heard some of the things that I share. Therefore, I am either planting something new in the lives of the listeners or watering something that they may have heard along the way, but didn’t give it much thought; therefore, I am watering something that has already been planted. I also have labelled my community as “Imperfectionists”, because we are all “imperfectly perfect” people going through this journey, regardless of what others sometimes may try to tell us, we are amazing just the way we are but can always use help to get better. In addition, I have a panel discussion that I moderate titled, “Real Talk with Tammi B & Company”. Here we have weekly conversations about events going on in the world and then discussions that I believe help add value to the lives of the listeners. This is streamed live and unfiltered, giving the viewers opportunity to weigh in on the conversation. It also shows how to continue moving even when mistakes are made and not focus on having edits or filters done. Because life doesn’t allow for edits; it encourages you to pick up where are you are and keep it moving.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up an only child. I was shy and timid. As I got older, I was still shy, but you wouldn’t know it, because I hid it very well. I had an alter ego that I called Da Diva that will kick in at any given moment. Also, unlike the person that I am today, I was a follower. I just wanted to fit in. However, now that I am free, me being timid and a follower are things of the past, and I am a wholehearted leader.
I did play the little girly games like hopscotch, jumping jacks, jack stones, etc.; but I did also enjoy hanging with my male cousins. As I was a tom boy at heart. I would be in the trees with them. Play tag football. I even played on the basketball team in middle school. Oh, and I loved myself some Atari. Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man and Gallaga were my games.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thassawoman.com
- Instagram: @thassawoman
- Facebook: @thassawoman
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammirboyd/
- Twitter: @thassawoman
- Youtube: @thassawoman
