Tonya McKenzie has more than 20 years of public speaking experience at schools of higher education, local politics, corporate trainings, leadership positions, and community relations. Tonya started early in her career with campaign speeches to run and be elected to an Associated Student Directorship position at CSUN, the president of her Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and President of the NPHC chapter on campus. As an Associated Executive Director at the Mt. Diablo Region YMCA, Tonya co-authored the FIT Kids Manual for the Contra Costa Health Services. Tonya also served as a staff trainer and a CPR/AED trainer for the American Red Cross, training over 200 youth and adults in the Bay Area. Mrs. McKenzie was the first African American elected to the Oakley Chamber of Commerce as a Director where she chaired a successful Annual Almond Festival and Citizen of the Year event. Tonya has coached competitive cheerleading at the middle school and high school level and also chartered Omega Kappa Zeta, graduate chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in Northern California. Tonya was appointed and served on the Youth Council for Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, facilitated & MC’d events for Contra Costa County’s Supervisor Mary Piepho and moderated political discussions and debates for past Oakley, CA Mayor, Brad Nix. Tonya is currently serving as the first African American women elected to the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors and serves on the City of Redondo Beach GPAC (General Plan Advisory Commission) shaping the esthetics of this beachside city for the next 20 years. She is an active member of The League of Women Voters and the current President of the North Redondo Beach Business Association (NRBBA). You can find Tonya McKenzie highlighted in the pages of Amazing Moms: Parents of the 21st Century. Mrs. Tonya McKenzie is the author of a memoir titled, A Child's Memories of Cartoons and Murder. This well-crafted book covers her survival of gun violence, sexual assault and substance as a child and the incredible story of her resilience that guided her through various other episodes of violence and chaos throughout her young life. She covers topics that she passionately speaks about; PTSD, predatory behavior, generational dysfunction and domestic violence. Tonya has culminated her work with the nonprofit, private and the public arena to step out and speak up for the empowerment of women, the future of our children and disadvantaged youth.