Pay It Forward: Tamia
songstress has strong ties to charitable orgs
2008-11-24
Since her auspicious beginnings with producer Quincy Jones, R&B singer Tamia has gone on to build a life that includes four Grammy awards, one baller of a husband (Phoenix Suns forward Grant Hill) and two daughters 6-year-old Myla Grace and 2-year-old Lael Rose. Tamia has long believed in giving back and her roster of charitable partnerships includes Habitat for Humanity, Alternatives for Girls, and Make A Wish among others. She recently made a special trip to the New York area Ronald McDonald House for World Children’s Day hosted by Mocha Moms, a nation-wide organization devoted to supporting women of color and their focus on family. In the nearly dozen years of its existence Mocha Moms has grown to include many community initiatives like the Ronald McDonald House event. Sprinting back home afterward, Tamia took a few minutes to talk about her work:
World Children’s Day – what is it?
World Children’s Day is about bringing awareness to children’s charities. My mission was to hang out with the moms and the kids at Ronald McDonald House. I performed for them and got a chance to sing with the children’s choir.
How did you get involved?
I’ve known about Mocha Moms for a long time. Obviously my husband (Grant Hill) has worked with Ronald McDonald for many years. My first experience was about 7 months ago when I got a chance to visit. I was impressed with how the house ran and how they were able to help families who could not afford a hotel stay. It’s a happy place -- a very happy place. The families treat each other like family and they all sort of help each other out.
Yesterday we baked cookies and made baskets with the kids. I’m not too crafty, but it was fun.
How do the children at the House seem to cope with their illnesses?
Obviously, there were children who were ill and weren’t feeling that well, but I think from what I saw it had a real family atmosphere. And each of the kids can understand what the others are going through.
You were diagnosed in 2003 with multiple sclerosis. Have you had to deal with your illness with your own children?
They just know it has two letters. I try and keep myself healthy and not run myself into the ground. I’ve been very fortunate.
What do you want your own daughters to learn about service to others?
I do believe it is important to volunteer and teach them to give back. And the best way to do that is by being a role model.
And what are you guys doing for the holidays?
I actually think we might try to make some Turkey cookies like the kids did at the House. Decorating? I’m all in. Baking? That’s a problem. I need like the smoke detector. I put something in the stove and I’m on to something else.
Inquiring minds want to know: What’s on the books for a new project?
I just finished an album Live in DC. It’ll be out the first of the year, along with a DVD.
Pay It Forward is EbonyJet.com's holiday series about the generosity of the well known and not-so-known to those in need of support.
