Meet E’Toyare McDonald-Williams | ACEs Expert and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with E’Toyare McDonald-Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi E’Toyare, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Throughout April, we will be raising awareness about ACEs and their profound impact on individuals’ lives. ACEs, which encompass various forms of trauma experienced during childhood, can have lasting effects on physical, mental, and emotional health well into adulthood. As part of our commitment to promoting understanding and support for those affected by ACEs, we will be organizing a series of events, activities, and educational resources throughout the month. These initiatives aim to:
Increase Awareness: We will share information and resources to educate our community about the prevalence and consequences of ACEs.
Foster Compassion: By sharing stories and testimonials from individuals who have experienced ACEs, we hope to foster empathy and understanding among our community members.
Provide Support: We will highlight resources, support services, and organizations that offer assistance to individuals and families affected by ACEs.
Advocate for Change: We will advocate for policies and initiatives aimed at preventing ACEs, supporting survivors, and promoting resilience and healing.
We invite you to join us in recognizing ACEs Awareness Month by participating in our events, sharing our resources with your networks, and engaging in conversations about ACEs and trauma-informed care. Together, we can create a more supportive and compassionate community for all. Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming events and initiatives. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to get involved.

Thank you for your support and commitment to raising awareness about ACEs and supporting those affected by trauma.

Be Victorieus!
–Dr. Torie

April is…ACEs Awareness month!

Take the ACEs quiz to get started on your ACEs Educational journey:
https://forms.gle/MNhfV8JBzVGGpDoG8

-Be Victorieus Podcast has been going strong for 2 whole years! It’s streaming on all podcast platforms. Check us out on YouTube as well:

***Our community has grown and some of the guests from our podcast have joined us in our Be Victorieus Community! ***
Join us and share your ACEs story with me!
https://calendly.com/bevictorieuspodcast/be-victorieus-virtual-podcast-interview

-Be Victorieus Foundation is well underway. I’ve been in recent discussions with former mentees who are really supportive of the foundation. Some have stepped up as Mentors! Please stay tuned

It is truly humbling to go back and reflect on my beginnings from 3 years ago. The growth of ACEs education and awareness is amazing and I truly thank you all for your support!

Please let me know if you have any questions!
-Dr.Torie

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Dr. E’Toyare (Torie) McDonald-Williams achieved the milestone of being a first-generation high school graduate from Paseo Academy High School. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. Dr. Williams furthered her education by completing her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix as well as her Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a focus on Special Education from National Louis University in Chicago. She gained valuable teaching experience in various schools within the Chicagoland area, including Thornridge High School, where she held the roles of Special Education Administrator and Director of Student Activities. In December 2019, she achieved her most significant accomplishment by receiving her Doctorate of Education from Chicago State University in Chicago, IL.
Dr. Torie is a multifaceted professional who currently resides with her 3 beautiful children, Ker’Mari 17, Kynnedi, 15 and Korri, 11. She serves as the Founder and Executive Officer (CEO) of Be VicTORIEus with Dr.Torie, LLC., an innovative educational program that has provided services and assisted schools worldwide in developing and implementing trauma-informed practices that have positively impacted student behavior, academic achievement, and social-emotional development.
Be VicTORIEus with Dr. Torie, LLC.’s support services:
● Be VicTORIEus podcast, a weekly podcast that shares stories of real people who have intentionally chosen to delve into the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on mental health and explores effective strategies for healing and resilience.
● “Be Victorieus Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides a safe and supportive mentorship program for children who have experienced ACEs by providing members with the mentorship and guidance they need to develop healthy coping mechanisms, build resilience, and achieve their full potential.
Dr. Torie is a sought-after Psychologist, speaker and trainer whose work has been featured in numerous publications. She is a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Collin County in Texas and currently working with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in Illinois as a vendor. She is a true leader in the field of trauma-informed education and her work is making a real difference in the lives of children and families across the country become VicTORIEus!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I get calls often from family and friends often letting me know that they are coming to the DFW area for business and/or pleasure. Depending on where they are staying, it’s always best to best to meet in common tourist areas like the Dallas Aquarium, Reunion Tower, or Bishop Arts District. Dallas is a great city for sight seeing! I always invite everyone to meet me on Sunday for fellowship at my church, Concord Baptist Church where We Grow People! As you experience our church, you will learn what it means to be connected to a family of believers who have a passion for Christ and a passion for people. Our Pastor, Bryan Carter is best known as a community leader, connector, thought leader, pastor, and dynamic communicator. He served as the pastor since 2003. Pastor Carter is a passionate leader with a vision for inspiring people to grow to their full potential.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris!!!!
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris’s TED talk was the moment of enlightenment, inspiration and sudden realization that provided the self reflection and a deeper understanding of the intricacies of my own childhood trauma. Her articulate presentation not only resonated with my journey but also provided a language—a vocabulary that was previously absent—to express the profound impact of my early experiences. In her words, I found a mirror reflecting the complexities of navigating childhood trauma, a mirror that granted validation to emotions and struggles that had long been unspoken.

The TED talk became a pivotal moment of recognition. It offered me the terminology to officially acknowledge and name the challenges I had faced—Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This revelation was transformative, as it allowed me to contextualize my own journey within a broader framework of understanding. Dr. Burke Harris’s work served as a beacon, illuminating a path through the complexities of trauma and offering insights into resilience and healing. The choice to recognize Dr. Nadine Burke Harris as my inspiration and mentor for my own research is a deeply personal one, grounded in the transformative influence her work has exerted on my life. Her exceptional ability to illuminate the intricacies of childhood trauma with remarkable clarity has served as a beacon of guidance along my own path toward healing and self-discovery.

Through her groundbreaking research and tireless advocacy, Dr. Burke Harris has shed light on the profound and lasting effects of early adversity on physical and mental health. Her pioneering work in the field of neurobiology has helped to demonstrate the profound connection between childhood trauma and the development of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Additionally, her insights have underscored the critical role that early childhood experiences play in shaping lifelong outcomes, including educational attainment, career success, and overall well-being. Beyond her scientific contributions, Dr. Burke Harris’s unwavering commitment to social justice has inspired me tremendously. Her unwavering dedication to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and advocating for policies that promote equity and resilience has left an indelible mark on my own understanding of the importance of social change.

On a more personal level, Dr. Burke Harris’s work has provided me with a profound sense of validation and hope. As someone who has experienced childhood trauma, her insights have helped me to understand the roots of my own struggles and to find pathways toward healing. Her emphasis on the power of resilience and the importance of creating supportive environments has been instrumental in my own journey toward growth and recovery.

In choosing Dr. Nadine Burke Harris as my inspiration and mentor, I not only recognize her extraordinary contributions to the field of childhood trauma but also express my deep gratitude for the transformative impact her work has had on my personal, intellectual, and emotional growth.

As an inspiration, Dr. Burke Harris embodies the transformative power of turning adversity into advocacy. Her commitment to raising awareness about ACEs, coupled with her dedication to fostering a culture of resilience and compassion, resonates deeply with my own aspirations. Her work goes beyond shedding light on the challenges; it is a call to action, an invitation to advocate for change and contribute to a collective understanding of the profound effects of early experiences on individuals and communities.

Furthermore, Dr. Burke Harris’s mentorship, albeit indirect, lies in the wisdom imparted through her insights and the guidance found in her work. The acknowledgment of her influence is a recognition of the impact she has had on shaping my perspectives, fostering empathy, and encouraging a commitment to breaking generational cycles.

In essence, acknowledging Dr. Nadine Burke Harris as my inspiration and mentor is an acknowledgment of gratitude for the invaluable insights she has provided and the transformative role she has played in my journey of self-discovery and healing. It is a tribute to her advocacy, which has not only empowered me to navigate my own experiences but has also inspired a commitment to advocate for others facing similar challenges.

Website: https://www.bevictorieus.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.victorieus/

Linkedin: https://www.facebook.com/BevicTORIEuswithdrTORIE/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrVictorieus

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkJMIqfuk-f1di2F98p_mDw

Image Credits
Ebony Parker and Joshua Parker. in pic 2