Meet ​Tissanie Simmons (Elgin, IL)

As an ambitious, innovative and creative leader at work, Tissanie's goal is to inspire and challenge urban women and youth to dream beyond disparities and to encourage them to not only dream but follow through to achieve them. From a young age she has always known that her experiences could be used to encourage and lend a voice to those who have been exposed to similar trials and set backs of urban life. Recognized by her peers as the “Dream Builder,” building up others and mentoring has become her passion. Through writing, her hope is to connect with the urban community in ways traditional urban novels and stories have missed; connecting, building up, and giving a message of hope and prosperity. Graduate of Judson University with earned Bachelors in Science & Mathematics, she was recognized as a campus leader and a collegiate athlete. Upon graduation, she went back to school to become a Registered Nurse and earned Masters in Healthcare Informatics.