Tyra Moore established A Girl Like Me Inc. as a non-profit organization to aid those who found themselves in a predicament she was once in. The Detroit, Michigan-based group got its start as a rather modest grassroots project, largely funded by donations, earnings from the sale of t-shirts, and individual investments.
According to Today.com, Moore became pregnant when she was fourteen. She held it in until she was 36 weeks pregnant because she was afraid to tell her mother. Some days later, after she came clean to her mother, she gave birth to her daughter.
When Moore returned from the hospital, she found presents stacked at her front door, even though her family was unprepared. Baby clothes, a crib, books for babies, formula, pacifiers, and bottles—everything a new mother could need—were contributed by neighbors, friends, and family members.
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Today, Moore is eager to give low-income, at-risk teenage girls between the ages of 11 and 17 and young moms up to the age of 25 the knowledge, materials, and mentoring they need to make decisions about their future and reproductive health.
“It just came to me because I wanted to help girls like me and prevent girls from being like me. And I wanted to do more,” she disclosed.
According to statistics, 1 out of every 3 girls in the U.S. becomes pregnant before she turns 20. The teen moms who attend Moore’s parenting seminars can talk about the difficulties they encounter. Moore believes that because she is so honest about her experiences as a teen mom, the young women know they can be completely honest with her.
“I enjoy showing the young moms I’ve been in their shoes before, showing them I’m not here to judge, I’m here to help in any way I can,” she shared. “Being able to listen to them because they don’t have anyone that understands them or being able to provide items to help them when they don’t have anyone else to turn to just brings joy to my spirit,” she added.
According to Black News, Moore collaborated with The International Girls Academy to publish the book Daughters of the Community in 2022 to reach even more young people. Eight girls, ages 11 to 17, who belong to the two organizations, are profiled in the book.
She runs the company by herself and doubles as its sole employee without paying herself a salary. Moore graduated from high school, earned an associate’s degree in the arts from college, and will soon begin working as a surgical tech. She wants to grow her company and give Detroit more programs and assistance.
