Meet Tiara Parker | Pulse Night Club Survivor & Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiara Parker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiara, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
The plan is to bridge the gaps the world have struggled with for years. We are planning to change the world, giving it the peace that we all are longing for. Over the decades the world has experienced so much hate that it’s starting to take a toll on the future generations to come they are becoming numb to seeing violence, crime, death, and etc. Being an activist isn’t an easy job at all because it can either make you feel like you want to give up because people are not listening, or that your hard work is being noticed and they are listening. The only way to get through this is to keep going, if you can change one mind you can change the world. The Global Activists Awards starts with the community first, locally and nationally. We need people to see that there are others out here that are watching them, and that their names are being mentioned in rooms that they haven’t even touched yet. The future generations need to see that positivity, and the upcoming generations get to see that there are people that look just like them. We are a rising organization that is more than just an annual awards ceremony, we are the change. It started with me being a survivor of the Pulse Night Club Shooting that happened in June 2016. I never thought that years later I would be using this story to help change the world and be a possible inspiration to others out there. I turned my pain into my gain.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am not only one of the founders of the Global Activists Awards, but I hold other titles as well. I am also a professional makeup artist. I been a makeup artist since 2015 when tragedy happened it illuminated my career. No it was not easy getting started with makeup artistry it took a lot of practice, trial and error. However, it is my first love and it saved my life. I had some amazing opportunities such as working with Black Radiance Beauty , and Angel Brinks on one of her fashion shows in LA. After the shooting I endured much more mental/emotional pain, I was blamed for my cousins death, and even told that I should’ve died in the club that night. It wasn’t an easy time for me or my family, but I wanted to end all of that even if it resulted in taking my only life. It took a village to help get me out of that dark space, but I made it. I never been to therapy or anything, I turned to my makeup artistry. I never knew how much I loved it until that very crucial time in my life. After, all of that I realized sharing my story with others made the healing process for me so much easier. I then started to put my foot forward in fighting to change gun laws in our nation and joined many organizations using my story as a platform. I had a lot of support on this journey and still have that support system. It was not easy but you can do it, believe in yourself and manifest that power. I learned many lessons during that time, but there are just a few that stick with me. I had to learn to let doors that were trying to close in my life close, and the doors that were trying to open, OPEN!

“Becoming an activist isn’t something that happens on purpose, it happens through experience”
“Turn your pain into your gain- Akyra Monet Murray (49th Angel from Pulse Night Club)

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am a city girl at heart and believe in traveling! I am a Philadelphia Native, Philly is were I am born and raised. If my friend came to visit me first we would hit a spa here, then off to brunch/ lunch, some shopping at the King of Prussia Mall, a day trip at the beach, dinner, and then the club. Honestly, most if not all of my friends are spontaneous as the day comes we will figure it out. My friends are family just being together is a awesome time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shout out to my mother and father for not only bringing me into this world but helping me see that I am a strong young black woman. I would like to also Shout out my “TRIBE” there are so many of them but they know who they are. They showed me that support and love comes in many forms!

Website: www.globalactivistsawards.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealtiaraparker_/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tiaraparker_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiara.parker.714

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVExgNUEg6zkBKItShlj_uQ

Other: Instagram (Makeup Artistry) : https://www.instagram.com/beautydefinedbytee__/ Instagram (The Global Activists Awards) : https://www.instagram.com/globalactivistsawards/ Twitter (The Global Activists Awards): https://twitter.com/GAA_Awards

Image Credits
Abanyie Film Studio Washington Blade Photo by Michael Key