Meet Tyra Brown

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tyra Brown. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tyra below.

Tyra , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I found my purpose through my own lived experiences and challenges. I went through moments in my life where I felt broken, uncertain, and lost, but those experiences shaped me into the person I am today. As I began my healing journey, I realized that my struggles were not just obstacles but stepping stones to something greater.

Growing Leading Optimistic Women (GLOW) was born from my passion for helping women and youth turn their MESS into their MESSAGE. I saw a need in my community for support systems that focus on self-care, emotional healing, and personal growth. My purpose became clear when I realized that I wanted to create safe spaces where women and young girls could feel empowered, heal from trauma, and develop the confidence to lead fulfilling lives.

Now, everything I do, whether it’s through GLOW’s programs, self-care initiatives, or trauma-informed workshops, aligns with that purpose: helping others discover their strength, resilience, and potential.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Tyra Brown, and I am the founder of Growing Leading Optimistic Women (GLOW) a nonprofit dedicated to helping women and youth turn their struggles into strength. But before I became the woman leading this mission, I was the woman searching for her own light.

For years, I carried the weight of trauma, heartbreak, and setbacks that made me question my worth and purpose. I know what it feels like to be lost, to feel like life is burying you rather than planting you. I’ve lived through self-doubt, pain, and instability, but I refused to let my story end there.

Instead, I chose to rebuild.

I created GLOW because I didn’t want other women and young girls to feel alone in their struggles. I wanted to build a space where healing is possible, where women can break free from their past and step into their purpose. GLOW was born from my own pain, my own journey of rediscovery, and my belief that every woman deserves the chance to rise again.

One of our core initiatives, From Mess to Message, helps women embrace their personal journeys, heal from their past, and turn their struggles into something powerful. Because I believe our pain isn’t meant to break us—it’s meant to shape us into the women we are destined to become.

In addition, we run Breaking Barriers Through Trauma, a free, community-wide program held every Sunday in West Philadelphia. This initiative creates a safe space for individuals of all ages to process trauma, regain confidence, and rebuild their lives. Through movement-based activities like jump rope, yoga, and hiking, along with wellness support, we provide the tools needed to move forward. This aligns with GLOW’s holistic, trauma-informed approach to self-care, mental wellness, leadership, and personal development, ensuring that both emotional and physical healing are at the heart of everything we do.

What makes all of this even more special? It’s a need. In a world where so many women and young people face trauma, isolation, and barriers that keep them from thriving, GLOW offers the lifeline they’ve been searching for. It’s not just a program, it’s a solution to the gap in support and healing that so many people are missing.

What’s even more powerful? It’s completely FREE. I believe healing, empowerment, and transformation should never be reserved for those who can afford it. Everyone deserves the chance to rebuild, rise, and create the life they deserve. And as the founder, I’m not just leading this mission, I am the living proof that this work works. I’m not just telling you it’s possible; I’m showing you that it’s real.

Beyond our free programs, we also host retreats, brunches, and intimate gatherings where women can connect, reflect, and grow together. These experiences create intentional spaces for deeper healing and self-discovery, reminding us that transformation happens not just in the struggle but in the moments of community, empowerment, and joy.

My story is proof that no matter how broken you feel, you can rebuild. You can heal. You can rise. Through From Mess to Message, Breaking Barriers Through Trauma, and every program we create, I am committed to showing women and youth that their past does not define them, their strength does.

I am still growing, still learning, still healing. But now, I get to do it alongside a community of people who are on the same journey. And that, to me, is the most powerful part of it all.

We don’t just survive—we rise. And together, we are building something unbreakable.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, self-awareness, and the willingness to learn and grow. Each of these has played a critical role in shaping me into the woman I am today and in allowing me to build GLOW into a movement that empowers others.

1. Resilience – The Power to Keep Going
Life will test you. There were moments in my journey where I felt like giving up, times when I questioned my own strength. But resilience is what kept me moving forward, even when things felt impossible. I learned that setbacks are not the end of the story; they are just part of the process. My advice to those starting out is to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Every obstacle you face is preparing you for what’s next. Keep pushing, even when it’s hard, because your breakthrough is often on the other side of perseverance.

2. Self-Awareness – Understanding Your Purpose and Triggers
Healing and success both require self-awareness. I had to take a deep look at myself, my patterns, my pain, and my purpose. Understanding who I was, where I needed to heal, and what I truly wanted allowed me to move with intention. If you’re just beginning your journey, spend time reflecting on who you are, what you need, and where you want to go. Journaling, therapy, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to grow can all help. When you truly know yourself, no one can tell you who you should be.

3. The Willingness to Learn and Grow – Always Being a Student
I didn’t know everything when I started GLOW, and I still don’t. But I was willing to ask questions, seek guidance, and learn from both success and failure. Growth requires humility the ability to admit what you don’t know and commit to learning it. For those just beginning, I encourage you to invest in yourself. Read, take courses, find mentors, and never stop evolving. The more you learn, the more impact you can create.

Final Advice:
If you’re early in your journey, remember that everything you need is already inside of you, you just have to trust yourself, do the work, and be patient with your growth. Find a community that supports you, embrace the process, and never let fear keep you from stepping into your purpose. You are capable of more than you can imagine, and your story, your journey, has the power to change lives.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely! Collaboration is at the heart of GLOW, and I am always looking for like-minded individuals, organizations, and businesses who are passionate about empowering women, youth, and communities.

I would love to partner with:

• Mental health professionals (therapists, counselors, life coaches) to provide trauma-informed support and wellness resources.

• Fitness and wellness experts who specialize in movement-based healing (yoga, jump rope, hiking, dance, etc.).

• Community leaders and nonprofit organizations that share a vision of empowering underserved communities.

• Educators, mentors, and career development professionals who can provide guidance on leadership, financial literacy, and personal growth.

• Businesses and sponsors who want to invest in community programs and make a lasting impact.

If you are interested in partnering or collaborating, I would love to connect! You can reach me via email at [email protected], on Instagram at @G.LO.W._, or through my website www.weareglowing.org. Let’s work together to create safe spaces for healing, growth, and empowerment!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.weareglowing.org
• Instagram: G.LO.W._
• Linkedin: TYRA BROWN

Image Credits

In the Photos we have a host of GLOW Members to name a few Khaleemah, Whitney, Tiara. We have ACHIEVEability, April Divah, Sakinah Dawson, and Tiffany Willams (Ms. Bellargo)