ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Tanikia Washington was born and raised in a small town called Andrews, SC. She was raised mostly by her father along with her younger sister. Shortly, after graduating high school in 2006, Tanikia enlisted into the U.S. Army. She earned various awards for her outstanding work to include a battlefield promotion.

After returning from Afghanistan in 2011, Tanikia decided to leave the military and join the Army Reserves where she would continue to serve her country for another five years. In 2012, she became a Police Officer for the city of Fayetteville, NC. She served almost six years on the force as a patrol officer while also filling the role as a Domestic Violence Liaison Officer, Crisis Intervention Officer and color guard member. While serving her community as a Police Officer, she earned her Masters in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in 2017.

After surviving a horrific domestic violence event, she decided to leave the force and relocate for her safety. Tanikia became a Crisis Intervention Clinician from 2018-2022 where she closely worked with law enforcement officers and other community stakeholders to provide services to those in the community who were in need of mental health treatment in the midst of their crisis. She also obtained her certificate as a Crisis Intervention Trainer to help train others.

During this time, In 2018, Tanikia founded Purple Service Announcement and organized it in the state of SC. The organization was birthed from a need she had when she relocated to the state of Virginia, after leaving her abuser. Though she was physically free, she was still dealing with the emotional damage that she endured during her abusive relationship. Tanikia was fortunate enough to have been able to relocate for her safety, but many women who have chose to leave aren't.

Today she is currently a Resident In Counseling where she serves as a crisis mental health clinician. She provides ongoing assessment, crisis intervention and clinical determination for level of care to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

Tanikia Washington

Founder & CEO