WOWderful Woman – Tonya Hill Mitchell: Transforming Loss Into Legacy and Purpose

Tonya Hill Mitchell, Founder and Executive Director of Diane’s Heart, exudes purpose and passion as she continues a journey that began with a deeply personal loss. Through her nonprofit organization, life coaching, and consulting work, Tonya is empowering single mothers, honoring her mother’s legacy, and creating a ripple effect of transformation in her community.

The foundation of Diane’s Heart lies in the memory of Tonya’s mother, Diane Hill Harrison. “Diane’s Heart was born out of love, admiration, and the memory of my incredible mother,” Tonya shares. Diane, a single mother herself, left an indelible mark on her community through her selfless acts of kindness. “She paid people’s rent, utilities, bought groceries, paid tuition and bought textbooks. She even paid bail for someone,” Tonya recalls.

When Diane passed away at the age of 56, Tonya knew she had to honor her mother’s legacy. Through prayer and reflection, the vision for Diane’s Heart became clear. “I had vivid dreams about my mom that would wake me from my sleep in the wee hours of the morning. I would study the Bible because I couldn’t fall back to sleep. It was as if scripture was lifting from the page. I heard in my spirit – ‘Tell many not a few,’ after reading 2 Kings 4:1-7. I also heard ‘It will sustain you,’ while reading 1 Kings 17:4; and at another time while praying, I heard ‘foundation.’ After much prayer and seeking the Lord, a vision took shape that I could not shake nor deny although I tried. The inspiration, the mission and the work is so much bigger than me. I’m thankful to God for choosing me for this journey.”

Diane’s Heart focuses on empowering single mothers by helping them thrive in their personal and professional lives, all while prioritizing their mental health and the well-being of their children.

Tonya’s journey of transforming loss into purpose is beautifully captured in her book, Diane’s Heart: Transforming Loss to Purpose and Legacy. Writing the book was both challenging and healing. “The biggest challenge was dredging up old memories that made it even more real that I was writing about my mom in past tense,” Tonya admits. Despite the emotional difficulty, Tonya found joy in recounting stories that showcased her mother’s remarkable character. Through her book, she aims to inspire others. “I wanted readers to know about my amazing mother, understand the power of storytelling, and shine a spotlight on the plight of single mothers,” she explains.

Tonya’s corporate background in human resources and leadership provided a strong foundation for her life coaching and consulting work at Inspired Action Coaching and Consulting. “Nothing is wasted! My genius work is talent management, and that’s what I get to do every day in my business,” she says.

Her flagship program, She Knew There Was More, has transformed the lives of countless single mothers, helping them achieve milestones like promotions, buying homes, and starting businesses. “Access is everything! The life change is unmeasurable,” Tonya emphasizes.

Tonya’s coaching is rooted in listening—a skill her mother instilled in her. “More than anything, I’ve learned that people need to be seen and heard,” she says. Hearing clients say, “You changed my life,” is a testament to the impact of her work. “I knew that Diane’s Heart was my ministry, but I had been led by the spirit not to incorporate as a religious organization. I could not understand this because I knew strongly it was a calling on my life. I will never forget the time we were having “celebration night” in our coaching salon for the nonprofit and the youngest mom to graduate our program provided an update about what she had accomplished. Others had talked about the promotions on their jobs and buying a house, but she boldly announced that she had rededicated her life to Christ. In that moment, my heart leaped. It was as if God was speaking directly to me acknowledging that your life and how you live, and give is a reflection of Jesus. It’s not just about quoting the scripture as much as it is about living and being scripture. People are reading you all the time.”

With roles as an author, entrepreneur, coach, and community leader, Tonya prioritizes self-care to maintain balance. “I practice and teach Extreme Self-Care. What makes it extreme is not the scale of what you do but the consistency,” she explains. She also focuses on spending time on what truly energizes her. “If it doesn’t ‘light me up,’ I prioritize, delegate, or remove it,” she adds.

Tonya’s passion for single mothers continues with her community and church commitments at Faith Chapel’s Children’s Ministry. “The needs are so vast and varied in our community. I often say we serve the underserved of the underserved in the work we do,” she says.She emphasizes the critical role single mothers play in raising the next generation, despite systemic challenges. “Single moms really get the short end of the stick when we consider wages in this country, especially Black single mothers. They have one of the most important jobs of raising healthy and whole citizens who are the future of this country.”

As a mother of two young adult sons, Tonya believes in the power of prioritization and presence. “You can have it all but maybe not at the same time,” she advises. She encourages women to delegate, cherish quality time with their children, and maintain their own lives. “Do not make your children your life. Have your own life filled with good girlfriends, travel, and fun.” She also stresses the importance of letting grown children make their own decisions while providing guidance and accountability.

In December 2024, Tonya will marry Bernard Mitchell, a man she affectionately calls “B.” Their connection, rooted in their shared passion for helping children, has brought new joy and purpose to Tonya’s life. “I was minding my own business, and then this beautiful creation of a man shows up in my DMs on LinkedIn,” she laughs.

Their relationship has reaffirmed her faith. “When I surrendered to God’s will for my life, for my purpose, and for love, B walked in,” she shares.

As Tonya looks to the future, she remains committed to expanding Diane’s Heart and Inspired Action. “We’ve had unusual success and growth in the last 3-5 years, and we will need to expand our infrastructure and Board of Directors to keep up with the demand,” she says.

Tonya is also excited about new opportunities for public speaking and workshops. In 2025, she will be a featured speaker at Momentum Leaders Impact Day, presenting “On The Cusp: Elevating Your Impact.”

Tonya’s mission is encapsulated in the phrase, Poured Out and Filled Up. “The more I pour, the more God fills me,” she explains. Her ultimate goal is to live fully and faithfully, leaving a legacy that speaks for itself. “I focus on obeying the voice of God and doing exactly what He calls me to do. I pray that my legacy will speak for itself.”

Through her work, her words, and her unwavering faith, Tonya Hill Mitchell is a living testament to the power of purpose and transformation. Her story is an inspiration to all who seek to turn life’s challenges into opportunities for growth and impact.

To find out more about Tonya, a true WOWderful Woman, visit Diane’s Heart, go www.myinspiredaction.com and

www.dianesheart.org

If you want to be featured as a WOWderful Woman, fill out the following form here: https://www.jotform.com/build/242067144044146 .

Editor-in-Chief at  | editor@wowmagazine.org | Website | + posts

Candie A. Mitchell-Price is the Founder/Editor-in-Chief of WOW! (Women of the Word) Magazine. Candie is a writer, educator, and a passionate advocate for spiritual growth. Through her work, Candie aims to encourage, inspire, empower, and educate others toward a closer walk with Jesus Christ, sharing her journey and faith with authenticity and love. She serves alongside her husband, Rev. Arthur Price, Jr., pastor of the historic 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL. They are the proud parents of two adult daughters.

Candie A Mitchell-Price

Candie A Mitchell-Price

Candie is a seasoned writer with a profound ability to connect deeply with her readers through her honest and evocative storytelling. Having authored multiple books, she brings a wealth of experience in exploring themes of faith, resilience, and personal growth. Her background as the Founder and Editor-in-chief of WOW! (Women of the Word) Magazine further showcases her expertise in crafting content that empowers and uplifts women across the globe.

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