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Meet Tatianna Marie Burks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tatianna Marie Burks. Her team shared their story with us below:

Tatianna Marie Burks

At Peace Love N Light, we believe that everyone deserves the right to live their best life; that’s why we provide a variety of research and evidence-based services designed to help vulnerable communities overcome barriers to health. Our first project, Pilates in the Park, launched in the summer of 2021, an Annual Clean-Up at Barkwill Park sponsored by the Slavic Village Mini-Grant and Ward 5 Councilman Richard Star. The goal of the park clean-up was to create opportunities for safe play and recreation by holding space, after the clean-up participants engaged in 30 minutes of Pilates and other activities like mini golf, painting and a hula hoop obstacle course. In early 2022, we incorporated a free family-friendly chair Yoga class at the Stella Walsh Recreation Center that was held weekly on Friday evenings. After 2 years at the Stella Walsh location, the class has moved to the Frederick Douglass Recreation Center located at 15401 Miles Ave 44128. Through gainful partnerships with community leaders and stakeholders, we have continued to provide free and affordable services throughout the Slavic Village community and beyond, such as low-impact exercise classes, toddler yoga, nutrition support groups, as well as mental and behavioral health services. On March 16, 2024, we were honored to help facilitate GRL PWR alongside the Cleveland Playhouse’s community engagement team, a Women’s History Celebration that took place right in Slavic Village at the Darl Center for the Arts. During the event, 90 women enjoyed a resource fair filled with intergenerational festivities such as a photo booth, make-up tutorials, free gel manicures provided by students from Regent High School, a HER-Story discussion panel, and chair Yoga led by our instructor Tatianna “Peaches” Marie. The event was such a success that we have already been asked to help bring the event back to the community next year.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Putting impact before profit seemed like a challenge until we realized that it was really an opportunity. Partnering with community leaders doesn’t just help “pay the bills.” It gives our partners and community members a sense of ownership in our Peace Love N Light. After getting out into the community and networking at resource fairs and neighbor nights, we were able to build brand awareness that helped spread our services to Ohio City and Bedford Heights. Through our efforts we are now able to provide free mental and behavioral health services to individuals with medicaid and to individuals who are medicaid qualified.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My name is Tatianna “Peaches” Marie Burks. I obtained my bachelor’s in science health and wellness from Purdue University Global in 2020, after working as an allied healthcare professional for more than 10 years, and I specialize in creating equity in health in under-served communities. What makes my services different is the efforts and strides that I take to create intergenerational activities for the families that utilize my services. Numerous studies have shown that when individuals make lifestyle changes with a partner, friend, or family member, they are more successful at maintaining their results than when they make the same changes alone. Activities like low-impact fitness classes and chair yoga create opportunities for every member of the family to engage in healthy behaviors in a safe setting. Bringing every member of the family together builds and strengthens the relationships between family members and community members. What gives me the most pride is being able to make a difference in the community that I have proudly called home since 2018.

What were you like growing up?
When I was born, my skin had a yellowish tone similar to an unripened Georgia peach, coining my nickname “Peaches”. Growing up I was fun loving, creative and energetic, the attention of the crowd has long attracted me, and I have always had the gift of “gab”. Over the years, my creativity was further developed by attending the Foluke Art program, Karamu House, and the Cleveland School of the Arts.

Contact Info:

  • Facebook: Peace Love N Light LLC
  • Youtube: peacheslove-n-light


Image Credits
Shawn Lee Jones

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