Woke Up Worthy Is…

For all who identify as women of color. For Black, Asian, Latina, Indigenous, and multi-racial women. For mothers, daughters, aunties, sisters, and sister friends. For the fight against anti-black racism, the struggle against internalized oppression, and the dignity and freedom of women of color around the world.

I want women of color to experience themselves as whole, worthy, beautiful, human and free. So at Woke Up Worthy, we develop coaching tools & practices to help us do that.

Women of color, you are welcome here. It’s an honor to see and be seen by you.


Every week I write so that you remember…

  • Every challenge doesn’t stem from a limiting belief;

  • Some of that shit is just straight-up oppression; and

  • You have the power to navigate both.

This newsletter provides the inspiration and tools to help. You in? 


About Me

Hi, I’m Toya Gavin. I’m a coach, consultant, writer, and attorney, and I specialize in working with women of color to help them confront internalized oppression so that they go from chasing someone else’s dreams to living their dreams.

Most importantly, I believe in us.

I believe that when we thrive, families, communities, and nations thrive too. Far too often, it’s not just systemic oppression that gets in the way of our thriving. It’s oppression that has been internalized. I know what happens when we practice confronting that oppression in our lives because I’ve experienced the transformation that comes in my own life.

About Me Professionally

I hold a Juris Doctorate from the George Washington University Law School, a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Rutgers University, and I am licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey. Through my legal work as a former prosecutor and law firm founder, I have guided hundreds of people through tough legal situations. 

I transitioned into coaching in 2018 and received business coach training through the Conquer Coach training program. I’m also an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation and have additional certifications in Breathwork, EFT, and NLP. 

My work as a coach is also informed by numerous teachers, authors, artists, and practitioners including Dr. Joy DeGruy, Dr. Thema Bryant, Dr. E.J.R. David, Layla F. Saad, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Dr. Anneliese Singh, Dr. Brene Brown, Tarana Burke, Bisa Butler, Kara Walker, Cathy Park Hong, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Beyonce, my sisters and aunts, my husband, and my mama.

About My Coaching Approach

My approach to coaching women of color is unique in that I do not ignore or bypass the effects of internalized oppression on our achievement. It makes us devalue who we are and what we know. It compromises our ability to show up, be vulnerable, and ask for help. It makes us believe that we must figure out ways to “do better” when we are already doing the best we can. 

In reality, it’s the culture that needs to change.  In the meantime, our job is to claim and bring forth our full humanity, power, and wisdom as we create a life that moves us from too tired to tireless.

Using this approach, I have helped my clients set and achieve goals, build businesses, decide the next steps of their career, and reset their trajectories both personally and professionally. In addition to my signature coaching experience for women of color, I run a coaching and consulting agency for women in the law.  You can find out more about that agency here.

About Me Personally

When I’m not working, I can be found loving up on my family and friends, working out, watching any show created by Shonda Rhimes, learning all about the wonder that is natural hair from YouTube university, or enjoying a good book. 


Spread The Word

To tell others about me on my work, please share this substack using the button below:

Share Wake Up Worthy With Toya

You can also follow me on Instagram and Linkedin:

Instagram

Linkedin

Subscribe to Wake Up Worthy With Toya

Every week I write to you so that you remember —every challenge doesn’t stem from thoughts that hold you back. Some limitations are just straight-up oppression. You have the power to navigate both! This blog provides the tools to help. You in?

People

Mom. Writer. Coach. I help women of color live out their dreams and find joy in a world that underestimates us. It gets real. Welcome.