WPPB Petersburg ,Va

WPPB COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

TayKwana Wilkerson: Turning Purpose Into Possibilities

She didn't wait for someone else to create the change she wanted to see. She made the call, opened the door, and started bringing Petersburg together.

WPPB 101.5 FM The LIP presents Community Spotlight stories about the people, organizations and everyday changemakers helping move our communities forward.

By WPPB Community Spotlight

From Fear to Purpose

There are people you meet once, and there are people who seem to be everywhere at the community event, supporting the local business, encouraging an entrepreneur, connecting people, checking on the children, or simply showing up.

TayKwana Wilkerson is one of those people.

Known by many as Tay, she has become a familiar and energetic presence throughout Petersburg's community landscape. But behind the events, networking, pop-up shops, and constant movement is something deeper: a woman driven by faith, family, resilience, and a genuine desire to create opportunities for others.

"I am a woman of strength, purpose, resilience, and love," TayKwana says.

She describes herself as a daughter, big sister, dreamer, goal chaser, people person and, perhaps most importantly, a survivor. Her journey has taught her that setbacks don't have to write the final chapter.

"I have faced challenges that could have broken me, but instead, they built me."-- Tay"

That mindset is at the heart of the work she is doing in Petersburg.

Seeing Potential in Petersburg

TayKwana's involvement in the community grew from a simple observation. She had visited pop-up shops in other cities and counties and began asking herself a question:

Why couldn't Petersburg have something like this?

She saw an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to promote their businesses without having to leave the city to find customers and exposure. That idea eventually became the Halifax Pop-Up Shop. But creating it required something many people struggle with: getting past fear.

For approximately two years, TayKwana had the contact information for the owner of the Halifax Street property she envisioned using. She didn't make the call. She was afraid of being rejected. Then came a turning point. After being injured at work, TayKwana found herself repeatedly passing the property. She felt that it was time to stop being afraid and take the step she had been avoiding. So she made the call. The answer was yes.

And the Halifax Pop-Up Shop was born. That experience became more than the beginning of an event. It became a lesson in purpose:

"Fear can delay your purpose, but it does not have to stop it."-- Tay"

When Community Comes Together

For TayKwana, community isn't simply a location on a map.

It's people,It's relationships,It's showing up.It's creating spaces where people can connect and support one another. She believes communities become stronger when people stop trying to do everything alone and begin looking for ways to work together. One of her most memorable experiences came through the Halifax Back-to-School Event.

The event brought together hairstylists, barbers, vendors, organizations, volunteers, and community members to support local children and families. School supplies were distributed. Children received free hairstyles and haircuts. Families came together. And the community created an environment where children could simply enjoy themselves. For TayKwana, the smiles on the children's faces said everything.

"Watching the children smile reminded me why I started doing this work."

It was a reminder that community impact isn't always measured in dollars, titles, or headlines. Sometimes it's a child walking away feeling cared for.

Building Relationships, Not Just a Network

Networking has become one of TayKwana's strengths, but she doesn't view relationships as transactions.Her philosophy is simple: lead with sincerity.

She believes genuine networking isn't about asking what someone can do for you. It's about learning who people are, supporting their goals, and discovering how you can work together.

Respect, Consistency, Honesty, Communication, Mutual support.Those are the building blocks she believes create lasting relationships,And that philosophy is evident in the way she approaches community work.

A Vision Bigger Than One Event

TayKwana's vision extends far beyond pop-up shops.

If she were given unlimited resources to improve Petersburg, her first project would be a permanent youth and community resource center.

Her vision includes tutoring, mentorship, career preparation, financial literacy, recreation, and access to mental and emotional wellness resources. The center would also create opportunities for local entrepreneurs, parents, and families a place where people could connect with resources, discover opportunities, and feel supported. At the heart of her vision is a message she wants young people to understand:

Where you come from does not have to determine where you are going.

TayKwana is already working toward that larger vision. She wants to grow the Halifax Pop Up Shop, create more opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and develop a nonprofit organization focused on helping the youth and families of Petersburg. Her long term goal is to create something sustainable something that can continue making a difference for generations.

Success Looks Different When Purpose Is Involved

For Tay, success isn't defined by money, recognition, or a title. It's defined by impact.

"I define success as making a positive difference while becoming the person God created me to be."-- Tay"

A child recognizing her from the pop-up shop, A local business gaining a new customer, Neighbors connecting at an event , A young person discovering an opportunity. Those moments matter. In fact, one of TayKwana's favorite measures of success may be one of the simplest: "When I see the kids in the neighborhood and they say, 'Hey, that's the lady from the pop-up shop,' that is definitely my success."

Her definition of success reflects the heart of the work she continues to do: creating opportunities that don't stop with her, but open doors for other people.

The Woman Behind the Work

Community work can make a person highly visible, but visibility doesn't necessarily mean people know the person behind it.

TayKwana says people sometimes assume she is mean or aggressive because of her facial expressions or direct communication style. The reality, she says, is very different. She's caring, approachable, and passionate about helping people.She also admits that her mind is rarely still. Even when she's supposed to be relaxing, she's often thinking about her next idea or next move. When she's not working or attending events, TayKwana aka Tay enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, listening to music, dancing, and exploring new interests.Right now, she's teaching herself how to make rugs with hopes of eventually bringing that creative skill to the children she works with. That creative side is an important part of who she is.

TayKwana describes herself as a creator who enjoys turning ideas into something real.

Faith, Family and the Lessons That Shaped Her

TayKwana credits her family and friends as some of her greatest influences.

She especially looks to the women in her family, whose strength, wisdom, resilience, and life experiences helped shape the woman she is today. She also believes every generation has something to teach, She learns from her ancestors, She learns from the people around her, She learns from her own mistakes,And she carries those lessons forward. Her faith is another important part of that foundation.When asked about her favorite motivational quote, her answer comes from Scripture:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-- Tay"

Her Advice to the Next Generation

For young people who want to become more involved in their communities but don't know where to begin, TayKwana's advice is simple:

Start small.

You don't need a large amount of money, a title, or a big organization to make a difference,Volunteer at an event,Help an elderly neighbor,Collect supplies for children,Support a local business, Ask a community organization how you can help.

TayKwana encourages young people to introduce themselves, ask questions, and learn from people who are already doing the work. Most importantly, she says, remain consistent. Small acts of service can grow into something much larger than you originally imagined.

Looking Ahead: Building for the Future

TayKwana isn't simply focused on what she can accomplish today. She's thinking about what can be built for tomorrow.

She is working toward growing the Halifax Pop Up Shop, creating more opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and developing a nonprofit organization focused on helping the youth and families of Petersburg. Her long-term goal is to establish a permanent community space where people can connect with resources, mentorship, educational programs, and business opportunities. She also wants to build stronger partnerships with organizations that share the same passion for serving the community.

Ultimately, Pratt wants to create something sustainable something that can continue making a difference for generations.Five years from now, she hopes people remember her as someone who genuinely cared, brought people together, created opportunities, and used her purpose to make Petersburg a stronger and more united community.

Her vision for the future includes a community center or youth development program where children can receive hands-on job training in a variety of career fields, discover their talents, develop practical skills, and gain the confidence and knowledge needed to potentially start businesses of their own.

TayKwana's Quick Hits

Coffee or Tea?
Tea

Early Bird or Night Owl?
Early Bird

Favorite Local Restaurant?
"My mother's house." 😂[ WPPB agree wholeheartedly]

One word your friends would use to describe you?
Determined

Hidden Talent?
Creating. Tay says she's naturally creative, hands-on, and always eager to learn something new.

Favorite Community Event in Petersburg?
The Jazz Festival

What music instantly puts you in a good mood?
Almost anything by Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, or Teyana Taylor.

If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
"Morning Magic" by Millionaire Muses

One word that describes the future you're building?
Caring

Favorite Motivational Quote?
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Still Writing the Story

Perhaps the most important thing Tay wants people to understand is that her journey isn't finished.She didn't begin with every answer, She didn't have every resource, She didn't have every connection, She started with a vision, faith, and a desire to make a difference, And she's still building.

The Halifax Pop-Up Shop represents more than a series of events. For Tay, it represents possibility creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, bringing families together, supporting local businesses, and reminding children that they have a place in Petersburg's future.

Her mission is to keep building connections and creating positive spaces where people feel seen, supported, and inspired. And if her journey so far is any indication, this is only the beginning.

A Message From Tay

"Do not allow fear, rejection, or your current circumstances to stop you from pursuing your purpose. You may not have every resource, every answer, or everyone's support when you begin. Start with what you have, remain consistent, and trust that the right people and opportunities will connect with you along the way."

"Your contribution does not have to be large to be meaningful. Every positive action matters. We all have something valuable to offer, and when we work together, we can create the change we want to see."

— Tay

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