If I were to describe my personality, I would say that I am a foodie, quite a bit of a traveler, a gamer, a reading nerd, a servant leader, and a CHRISTian all wrapped into one! I love to immerse myself in different cultures to both learn from and discover the immense diversity and beauty that exists in our world. I am intrigued by the human experience and truly enjoy hearing about the personal journey’s of others. You may find me at an outdoor concert captivated by the music and festivities, chilling with the locals at a dive bar in a foreign country, or speaking in a conference at a secluded country club. Wherever I may be in the world, I challenge myself to engage with people who may approach life in a different way than me. Because of these interactions, I’ve found that my societal “norms” have expanded. Like most challenges, this can be a bit uncomfortable — but the benefit of pushing outside of my comfort zone means I get to create meaningful connections with people from all corners of the world.

What I've learned in my life journey thus far, is that each person generally has the same needs. They want to be understood, supported, and loved. What you need in order to succeed and thrive in life doesn’t change no matter where you were born or how you were raised. It may be hard to ask for or even receive those things when you don't know how to go about communicating effectively with others.

I’ve personally observed the frustration that is felt when someone is unable to successfully communicate with someone who they viewed as the complete opposite of themselves. This communication issue can become compounded when there are generational, cultural, racial, political, or religious differences. I Am One Yet Many was born out of the idea that one person can bridge the gap and make a difference. 

On March 2, 2011, unbeknownst to anyone other me and the LORD, I set out on a personal journey to hold earnest and meaningful conversations with diverse groups of people. My goal was to gain an understanding about the best ways I could bridge the gap, provide support, and simultaneously enrich my community. I believe that everyone has a purpose in life, and I am proud to say that mine is to help others understand each other and grow through a shared human experience. Whether that is through education, service, or simple support, one person can make a difference in the lives of many. 

That is why I founded I Am One Yet Many (IAOYM, pronounced Eye-O-Yim). Welcome! I hope you are inspired to step outside of your comfort zone with me. 

Love, 
Toya 
CEO and First Volunteer of IAOYM