My name is Tiara Christopher, and I’d like to tell you a piece of my story. The journey I took and the will of survival which lies heavy in my spirit. I want to encourage you with my story. I want you to know that is possible to overcome anything and become everything!

On September 3, 2022, my life took an unexpected and drastic turn. While visiting my in-laws, an argument with my partner escalated to a point where he said, “That’s why your own mother doesn’t love you.” Overcome with emotion, I punched him. The police were called, and in a desperate attempt to protect myself and my nine-month-old daughter, I drove away. Less than a mile from his parents’ house, four police cars pulled me over. I was accused of driving a stolen car and driving under the influence. Despite blowing 0.0 on three breathalyzer tests and presenting my registration and medical marijuana card, I was arrested for assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, and possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

In a predominantly white small town, I faced intense racism and hostility while incarcerated. I spent three excruciating days in jail, constantly worrying about my breastfed baby who had never been apart from me. My life had shifted from that of a successful business owner to someone unsure of survival.

Upon my release, I discovered that my partner had placed a restraining order on me against him and our baby. He had also emptied my bank account, leaving me with just $1.13—barely enough to buy two frozen burritos from Walmart. He canceled our lease, rendering me homeless. I lost weight dramatically, going from 120 lbs to 90 lbs in those three days. Yet, I was grateful that God didn’t allow me to start completely from scratch. I had a car to sleep in, an educated and determined mindset, and the survival skills I learned in foster care.

For five months, I lived out of my car, occasionally staying in Airbnb rentals. I panhandled for food, often sitting in front of fast-food restaurants until someone offered to buy me a meal. This was a new low for me; it was also one of the coldest winter’s of my life! I found myself sometimes having to defecate outside. Despite these relentless challenges, I found strength in God and support from some family members. My journey was fraught with suffering, but I emerged stronger, determined to turn my pain into purpose and show my daughter the power of resilience.

I fought a tough battle for custody of my child. Despite the fact that my child’s father had kidnapped our daughter, he faced no jail time, a stark reminder of the racial injustices deeply embedded in our judicial system. Backed by his wealthy, white privileged family, he won 70% physical custody while we shared 50/50 legal custody. This was a devastating blow, but knowing I would still be part of my daughter’s life helped me regain my strength.

I turned my pain into purpose. I became a certified yoga instructor, a trauma specialist, and completed a degree in psychology. My journey was filled with suffering, but I emerged stronger. I want my daughter to see that I didn’t just sit with my tail tucked between my legs—I evolved. And I’m going to continue to evolve until the wheels fall off so that my daughter will know the pain she felt being ripped from my breast was not in vain. This experience tried to break me and destroy everything I had accomplished prior, but I didn’t break—I bent and grew stronger.