Meet Tomeka Mills

We were lucky to catch up with Tomeka Mills recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tomeka, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose by reflecting on my childhood community where I saw how many high school-aged girls were overlooked. That experience inspired me to create A.W. Brooks Serenity Home—a place where they can heal, grow, and believe in their future

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am the Founder and Executive Director of A.W. Brooks Serenity Home, a nonprofit group home being established in Birmingham, Alabama. The home is named after my father, A.W. Brooks, who was a pastor. He dreamed of starting a group home, but illness kept him from fulfilling that vision before he passed away. Carrying his dream forward gives this work a deep personal meaning for me.

Our home is designed specifically for high school-aged girls who have experienced trauma, neglect, or displacement—an age group that is often overlooked. What excites me most is that this will not just be a house, but a place of healing and transformation. Through our SHE model (Strong – Healing – Empowered), we will help young women rebuild confidence, develop life skills, and see new possibilities for their future.

I was shaped by my childhood community, where I witnessed the struggles so many girls faced without stable support. That experience, combined with my father’s unfinished dream, inspires me to provide the safe and supportive environment I wish they could have had. To every teen girl who walks through our doors, I want her to know: you are seen, you are worthy, and your future still holds incredible promise.

Looking ahead, our focus is on building the first purpose-built group home of its kind in Birmingham. We are moving forward with determination, and I am passionate about making sure these girls have a place where they can heal and thrive.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

For me, the three most important qualities have been faith, resilience, and vision. Faith gave me the strength to believe in myself and in the bigger purpose for my life. Resilience helped me get back up after setbacks instead of giving up. Vision kept me focused on where I was going, even when I couldn’t see all the steps.

Carrying forward my dad’s dream of starting a group home reminds me why this matters—he believed in helping teens, and I chose to focus on creating a safe, supportive space specifically for girls.

My advice to young people is this: believe in yourself, don’t quit when things get hard, and keep your eyes on the future you want. You don’t have to have it all figured out today—just take one step at a time, and you can make a difference for yourself and others.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I am very interested in collaborating with others who share a passion for supporting teens and building stronger communities. Specifically, I would love to partner with the City of Birmingham, as well as celebrities or public figures who have personal experience with group homes or the foster care system, and anyone committed to making a lasting impact for young women in need.

I am eager to work with individuals and organizations who can help us expand resources, amplify our mission, and create a safe, empowering space for high school-aged girls who have experienced trauma.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: a.w._brooks_serenity_home
• Facebook: A.W. Brooks Serenity Home

Image Credits

Image used for illustrative purposes; original source unknown.