Our Story

Tonya Kelly, MEd, is the CEO/Founder of the 501c3 non-profit organization, Empower our Youth Foundation. Tonya by career is an Elementary Educator in Columbus, OH. The organization began in 2017 when her second daughter experienced being bullied till she had thoughts of suicide. With both of her daughters being bullied, she witnessed firsthand the negative impacts, family emotions, and experiences that damage a child's self-esteem and quality of life. Over the past three years, she has shared her testimony and served as an Anti-Bullying advocate assisting families in reporting any forms of bullying to the appropriate authorities and mentoring students. Tonya has used her education and prevention awareness programs to become a voice and stand up for families by offering literacy education, mentorship, social-emotional learning, and empowerment to the communities in Columbus, OH, and throughout the United States. As community advocates, families and youth learn how to respect, believe, and inspire themselves and others while celebrating life.