Tanesha Ash-Shakoor, J.D., was given the opportunity to experience first hand how  sharing her own story of domestic violence could affect the lives of victims and survivors. After sharing her her testimony at a church service one Sunday, a woman in the congregation began to scream.  It was the sound of purpose going forth and a woman being released from thoughts of suicide.  This woman indicated that after service she had planned to commit suicide because she saw no other options after being abused and buried alive.

That is when Tanesha Ash-Shakoor knew that the emotional, physical and sexual abuse that she had once endured had to come out and go forth.  She could no longer choose to be silent knowing that her survival wasn’t a mistake.  She could no longer allow the enemy, that silenced her for over a year, to defeat her.  It was time to change her thoughts and she began to no longer see herself as a victim but a survivor. 

It didn’t happen over night and often times she got ahead of what God had purposed for her.  Brainstorming and then praying, Voices of Color was created.  She began speaking out where ever and whenever she could, freely offering her testimony and an ear to those who wanted to share their testimonies.

Voices of Color, the non-profit organization founded by Tanesha Ash-Shakoor is dedicated to educating and preventing domestic violence for all races, ages, sexual orientations, religions, and genders, and actively working toward restoring self empowerment for victims and survivors. 

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