Tanika Cherie' Edmonds

Tanika Cherie Edmonds is a dynamic motivational speaker with over 20 years of experience inspiring audiences throughout the Midwest. She graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Communication and is a Certified Public Speaker. Tanika co-authored The Mourning’s After: From Grief to Glory, writes inspirational content for social media and the visionary behind three transformational programs: Skills² Financial Wellness, Communication is Key, and LIFE | Support through her business, Grounded Steps² Wellness Group - Practical Tools. Education for Life.

While her financial program helps to educate and equip individuals in the community, Tanika’s speaking platform centers on the topics closest to her heart—restorative communication, healthy relationships, and rebuilding after transition. She empowers others to move forward with clarity, strength, and renewed hope.

With a voice shaped by personal tragedy, resilience, and unshakable faith, she delivers powerful messages on emotional healing, relational growth, and the courage it takes to begin again. Her words stir transformation—rooted in authenticity, compassion, and lived experience.

A widow and devoted mother to two adult sons—Isaiah, a Behavioral Health Specialist, and MiKyle, a retired U.S. Marine—Tanika weaves wisdom and warmth into every stage she steps on. She often shares, “I lived it before I learned it,” reminding audiences that real-life experience can be the most powerful teacher.

If you’re looking for a speaker who brings warmth, wisdom, and real-world insight to every stage—**Tanika delivers. Her relatable style, infectious humor, and engaging storytelling leave audiences laughing, inspired, and equipped with practical tools they can use right away.

Her motto is: “You don’t have to start over—but you can always rebuild, renew, and reimagine.”

I am a director, public speaker and financial professional who has over 20 years’ experience working in the banking industry, as a manager and a FINRA registered representative. My tenure in the financial industry has been in investment sales, services and private wealth management. I specialize in program development, strategic planning, outreach, and financial literacy training for low to moderate income individuals and families. I have worked with various nonprofits to help break the cycle of poverty by serving families thru extensive case management and workforce development training.

In response to the needs of those participating in reentry and restorative justice programs, I created a 4-week course called TECHknowledgE2, that educates and empowers individuals by providing both financial and digital literacy training, to prepare them to return to the workforce. My team is currently teaching the course at the Transition Center of Kansas City in KCMO.

I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Indiana Wesleyan University, has held the FINRA Series 6, 63 and Life Licenses as a Registered Investment Representative; have been a FDIC Money Smart Certified Financial Literacy Trainer since 2004 and am currently pursuing my grad degree M.A. in Organizational Leadership at the Helzberg School of Management at Rockhurst University.