Meet Artika Tyner

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

Hi Artika, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

My grandmother, great aunt, and bishop taught me the importance of generosity by practicing radical hospitality. Grandma Nellie lived a life of service. This is the way that she lived out her faith. Each day, she would find a way to help someone in need, whether it was bringing a meal to someone sick or providing housing to a stranger. Her love for others was unmatched.

My aunt Geneva demonstrated service in action. She served in her church for nearly 8 decades. She supported youth ministry and senior outreach. In addition, she gave her time through random acts of kindness. As she progressed in years, she began a phone ministry. She was always seeking opportunities to brighten the lives of others through words of encouragement. She called me each day with a word of inspiration. Those words were exactly what I needed to keep pressing forward as a new business owner and community leader. She reminded me that I was fearfully and wonderfully made. This gave me the daily motivation to activate my gifts and talents throughout my vocational journey.

My bishop (Dr. Dorothy Blaylark Hill) was an exemplary servant leader. She served communities around the world. She helped to build schools, wells, and churches. Through her outreach, the basic needs of children and families were met. She also visited those in prison and supported them on their journey of healing and restoration.

These three women taught me the importance of love and community. They also showed that random acts of kindness can change the world. I am eternally grateful for their outpouring of faith, hope, and love. These words remind me of their commitment to generosity:

Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

Compassion on this world,

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,

Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,

Yours are the eyes, you are his body.

Christ has no body now but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

compassion on this world.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours. — St. Teresa of Ávila

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

The children fondly call me: “The Writing Doctor.” I help others discover joy in reading and elevate stories that demonstrate tools for readers to author their own lives. I am the author of 40 books, ranging from leadership books to picture books. In addition, I am the founder of Planting People Growing Justice, which is a social enterprise that serves as a bridge between the arts and humanities while advancing social change. The internationally recognized social enterprise is the first of its kind, combining a bookstore, publishing house, and literacy nonprofit. Through our work, we inspire community members to learn about history and culture while also using writing as a tool to advance social change.

Planting People Growing Justice is excited to announce the launch of our spring book collection in January 2026. These books highlight the importance of embarking on a daily learning journey. They also highlight ordinary people who have had an extraordinary impact on the world. These stories will inspire readers of all ages to learn, grow, and lead.

Our spring collection will feature the following titles:
Sing by: Lanell Lightfoot
Kwame Nkrumah: Warrior King by: Nancy Loewen and Senchi Ferry Library
Cameron’s Garden of Hope by: Aamina Muhammad Vela
Rayyan Makes A Daddy-Daughter Date by: Rayyan Abdur Razzaq
Jaheem’s First Juneteenth by: Zephaniah Martin

PPGJ also launched the Rondo Renaissance to promote economic development, restorative justice, and arts-based community healing. This is a nationwide effort to raise awareness about historic Black communities (like Rondo) impacted by the process of racial removal as a result of the construction of the nation’s highway system. The enactment of The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 disenfranchised Black communities nationwide. In Rondo, the highway was constructed through the heart of our community, leading to over 300 businesses and 700 homes destroyed. Our goal is to use the arts to bring forth healing and justice while promoting unity and hope for the future. We have partnered with LeadersPromos to create a new Rondo Renaissance limited edition apparel collection.

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

The three qualities are: critical thinking, effective writing, and collaboration. Most people start a project and struggle to envision the steps to complete it. Critical thinking skills will provide you with the tools to strategize, pivot, and complete a project. By developing this important skill, you can address a wide range of challenges and achieve positive results.

With the onset of AI, many are losing the art of writing. Writing should begin with the basics- a clear thesis, a roadmap, and a concise message. You should also develop your own writing style. For example, my culture has shaped my writing style. I tend to incorporate African proverbs and Civil Rights history into my written communications.

I also believe in the power of collaboration. Our team includes over 90 volunteers, 7 interns, and cultural bearers. Each plays a vital role in advancing our mission and growing our impact. I am reminded of the African proverb, “Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable,” Together, we can change the world by leveraging our gifts and talents.

My advice is to build a professional toolbox. Each skill is a tool to use in solving the complex challenges of our time. I always taught my students not to focus on a specific major or professional title but instead to develop a multifaceted and cross-functional toolbox. This approach has proven to be invaluable for me. I am formally trained as an educator and attorney. This has provided me with a solid foundation as a creative problem solver in any sector or professional setting. I have worked in STEM, banking, optometry, and food services, to name a few. With each of these roles, I have used the same tools to achieve success.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

I am currently reading “Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement.” This book by Tanisha Ford has played an important role in my development by providing me with practical tools for effective fundraising and community mobilization. This is vitally important since social change movements require funding to achieve their intended purposes and objectives.

Mollie Moon’s leadership legacy has inspired me to build networks of support and develop a strategic action plan for mobilizing change that combines public-private partnerships. This plan draws together the community, business leaders, and government officials. Together, we are reimagining our Rondo community and working together to build a brighter future. My goal over the next year is to raise 1 million dollars in in-kind donations to meet the basic needs of our community, from clothing to food to healthcare services.

Contact Info:

• Website: www,ppgjbooks.com. www.artikatyner.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/artikatyner, instagram.com/ppgjbooks. instagram.com/plantingpeoplegrowingjustice
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artika.tyner, https://www.facebook.com/plantingpeoplegrowingjustice/, https://www.facebook.com/ppgjbooks/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artikatyner/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PPGJ