“What a journey. And I would do it all over again.”

— Tonnisha J. English-Amamoo

Why I Started TJE Communications

I started TJE Communications during a time in my life when nothing felt aligned. I was a single mom with an LLC, doing work for free or as cheaply as possible just to get seen. I worked at a nonprofit I loved, but I still felt out of place. I went to an agency after that, and that didn’t feel right either. So I tried corporate. That was even worse.

I knew I had something to offer, and I knew mission-driven leaders deserved support from someone who actually understood them. Not someone who would talk over them. Not someone who would water down their work. Someone who could help them show up clearly and confidently.

That became the foundation of TJE Communications.

The Journey

Before Going Full-Time

My early years were spent working real jobs during the day and taking on any project I could at night. Free work. Random designs. Social media posts. Anything that helped me grow and build confidence.

I wasn’t trying to be perfect. I was trying to be consistent.

2019: The Leap

In 2019, I quit my corporate job. I thought I had everything together. I matched my salary. I saved six months of expenses. I lined up retainer clients.

Then all of my clients dropped off. Every single one. Bills piled up. The bank kept calling about the mortgage. I was parenting alone while dealing with trauma that I didn’t have the emotional space to process.

It was one of the hardest seasons of my life, but I kept going.

The Pandemic

A pandemic hit right after I quit. No one was prepared for that. I had to rebuild from scratch again. I leaned into the community, asked for help, connected with good people who connected me with even more good people. Slowly, things started to move again.

Marriage, Motherhood, and Rebuilding Again

I got married. I had a baby. My capacity changed. My priorities changed. I cut my business in half, rebuilt my systems, and figured out what sustainable work looked like for me and my family.

Every version of my business was built around my real life, not the other way around.

Where I Am Now

Leadership and Alignment

In 2025, everything feels aligned. I’m clear on my mission. I’m receiving flowers from organizations I respect. I’m doing the work I prayed for six years ago.

I was honored by the Ohio Women’s Alliance. I’m leading inside AAF Columbus. I’m supporting justice-focused teams. I’m building a community of Black women in business. And I’m raising my daughters in a home filled with love.

My 2025 Recap

This summer was one for the books. I:

  • Traveled to Europe with Motherful

  • Was honored at the Ohio Women’s Alliance Gala

  • Created my second voter guide

  • Posted more than 2,000 pieces of content across my clients’ accounts

  • Kicked off the Black Women in Biz sister circle calls

  • Became president at AAF Columbus

  • Saw my design work printed across several organizations

  • Partnered with Sky Nile Consulting and Artfluential

  • Collaborated with Isana Ashaneya and Mweshi Stokes to expand capacity

  • Launched a free nonprofit webinar series

And I did all of this while being a wife and a mommy, which is the best part of my entire life!

“To be able to do what I love with people I love is everything I prayed for.”

— Tonnisha J. English-Amamoo

Community and Advocacy

I talk openly about the support systems that helped me survive and grow. I fed my first child through SNAP. I birthed both of my daughters through Medicaid. I used every resource available to me, because I needed it.

I care deeply about the families who are living the same reality I lived. That is why I show up for organizations like Motherful. That is why I talk about policy. That is why I encourage people to support direct giving.

When I ask people to “normalize needing a hand up,” it’s because I lived it.

How I Show Up For My Community

People often ask me how I balance everything. The truth is that I don’t. I get overstimulated. I get tired. I get overwhelmed. But I am self-aware, and I try hard every day.

Here are the practices I believe in:

  • Share posts from organizations that are serving community

  • Show up for people offline

  • Correct and support each other privately

  • Volunteer when you have the capacity

  • Stay coachable and willing to learn

These habits build real community, not performative community.

My Work in Public

Webinars

I host free webinars for nonprofit leaders, including my Email Marketing Do’s and Don’ts session. I teach people how to start with no tech experience, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to build trust with their audience.

Testimonial from a recent webinar:

“Tonnisha is a wealth of knowledge and provides a space that is educational and informative. I always have an aha moment when listening to her.”

Speaking and Facilitating

I lead sister circles, community conversations, strategy sessions, and workshops that give people practical tools they can use immediately.

Clients and Partnerships

I’ve worked with organizations that are rooted in justice, advocacy, and community care. My work ranges from communications strategy to content creation, design, digital systems, and community engagement support.

Awards, Honors, and Recognitions

    • AAF Columbus President

    • Ohio Women’s Alliance Gala, Leadership Honoree

    • HerStory Honoree, Columbus Urban League

    • Who’s Who in Columbus

    • Woman of Excellence Honoree, Women’s Leadership Conference

    • Rising Star Nominee (2x), AAF Columbus

    • The Diva Movement

    • New Directions

    • AAF Columbus

    • Ohio Dominican University

    • CCAD

    • CYP Club

    • CASA

“I do not balance everything. I am trying my best.”

— Tonnisha J. English-Amamoo