Tonja continues to use her powerful and passionate voice for advocacy and has testified on Capitol Hill numerous times, in front of Louisiana state leaders, and is a highly sought-after subject matter expert on mental illness, substance abuse, and trauma. She has served on several community boards, including The Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center and Aging With Dignity. She is a member of the Mayor's Mental Health Advisory Council, the Baton Rouge City Police Chief's Advisory Council, the Louisiana Behavioral Health Advisory Council, and the Louisiana Department of Health/Office of Behavioral Health Crisis System Implementation Plan Council. She is one of the founding members of The Bridge Center of Hope board, the first crisis stabilization center in Baton Rouge. Tonja is also trained in some of the country's top suicide prevention programs, such as ASSIST and SafeTALK.

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Tonja engaged with her community as a weekly radio talk show host for Cumulus Media in Baton Rouge called "The Tailgate Show," where she discussed topics related to her listeners' concerns with a "real and raw" communication style. Her audience was empowered by resourceful conversations with expert guests, politicians, and community leaders. For seven years, she also hosted a TV talk show called "Choices, empowering you to make better choices so you can live a better life." She mentors women and empowers them to walk in their purpose, sharing her successes and challenges so that they too can be change agents in their communities. Tonja believes it is vital to educate and encourage others to achieve greater works than she has accomplished in her lifetime.

 

Tonja is a well-known local and national speaker who has spoken on topics related to addiction, trauma, sexual abuse, mental health, and suicide in schools, prisons, faith-based conferences, churches, and business training sessions. She is open and honest about her own life experiences in these areas and her path from victim to survivor. Tonja’s message is that with proper treatment, family and friends' support, faith, and self-care, one can live a productive life. Her goal is to reduce stigma and bring hope that recovery is real.

 

Tonja's accomplishments include her 2023 book "From the Crack House to the White House" and "Peace over Politics," where she offers a vital lifeline to those seeking tranquility in tumultuous times. Drawing from her rich experience as a community activist and mental health advocate, Myles delves into the intricate dance of maintaining inner peace amidst political strife. This book is not merely a guide; it's a journey with a compassionate companion who understands the personal stakes of political engagement. With practical wisdom, Myles navigates the complexities of ideological differences, advocating for empathy, understanding, and the courageous act of setting boundaries. "Peace over Politics" transcends mere political discourse, presenting a roadmap to personal resilience and communal harmony. Both books are available on Amazon.

 

Tonja's long list of awards and accomplishments is impressive, but she says her greatest achievement is being married to her husband, Darren, for twenty-eight years.