Biography

 La’Toyur Tisdale is an entrepreneur, writer, poet, advisor and community advocate.  She is the   co-founder of Women of Empowerment Tennessee State University chapter of NACWC, Associate Director for the World Africultural Community Project and author.

In 2005, La’Toyur launched the online magazine YUR. Through YUR magazine, La’Toyur had the opportunity of interviewing several Nashville locals and nationally known artists such as Def Poetry Jam artist Tasha Jones; Motivational speaker and educator; Actor Rashad Rayford; Poet and Actress Sherene Whitfield (The Help),  Co-founder of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, Bruce George.

In 2008, Ms. Tisdale, through her relationship with many of her interviewed artists through YUR Magazine, had a vision to celebrate literary through education and performance workshops from which the “Poetic Pen” was birthed.  The successful artist development workshop entitled, “A Critique on Performance and Written Poetry” had participating local, regional and national poets, singers and actors in attendance.  In 2009, YUR Magazine was nominated for the Southern Entertainment Awards “Online Magazine of the Year” as well as the Soulfood Poetry Café` “Trailblazer of the Year” award. 

In memory of her mother, Mrs. Virginia Woods Tisdale, who lost her battle with throat cancer in 2006, in the month of December from 2007-2009,  La’Toyur and the YUR Magazine supporters hosted “YUR Very Special Christmas.”  This was an event providing holiday cheer for staff, patients and their families residing at the American Cancer Society Memorial Hope Lodge during the Christmas Holidays.  In February 2009 & 2010, La’Toyur, in conjunction with several local Nashville artists, hosted “Love YUR Self.”  This was an event offering the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge resident patients a night of inspiring poetry, testimonies and performances. 

In February of 2010,  Ms. Tisdale co-founded the Community Take Back Initiative, a community organization dedicated to building support networks and opportunities to support youth.  Through the Community Take Back Initiative,  La’Toyur served as one of the organizers of the Real Talk Real Teens spring action summit and the Real Talk Real Teens fall dialogue. 

In March of 2011, La’Toyur released a collection of poetry entitled “Pieces of Me For You: A collection of Poetry.”  In the fall of 2011, La’Toyur  was selected as a speaker for a Vanderbilt University sophomore class on Minority Women in Entrepreneurs in the Nashville area.  She also served as a Leadership Board member and volunteers for the American Negro Playwright Theater under the direction of the late Barry Scott from 2011 -2014.

Since relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada, La’Toyur has volunteered many community service events, including Toys for Tots with the Order of the Eastern Star.  She served as Volunteer Chairperson for Komen Nevada Susan G. Komen More Then Pink Walk from 2018- 2020.  In addition, she currently serves as the Director of Communications and Programs for the World AfriCultural Community Project (WACCP).

La’Toyur currently resides in Las Vegas, NV.