Our Minds, Our Voices Woman Of Distinction 2019 Honoree: Dr. Tonya Armstrong
Durham, NC – The Aura Galleria will honor Dr. Tonya D. Armstrong with the Woman of Distinction award at its’ third annual “Our Minds, Our Voices” event. In observance of National Women’s History Month, this powerful awards luncheon on March 2 will feature the 2019 Aura “ Woman of Influence” and honoring ten “Women of Distinction.” The 2019 “Women of Distinction” honorees are ten influential and phenomenal women in the categories of: education, medicine, social justice, civil service, public service, technology, mental health, business, humanities and fashion and beauty.
Tonya D. Armstrong, Ph.D., M.T.S., a native of Durham, North Carolina, is a licensed psychologist and the founder and CEO of The Armstrong Center for Hope (www.armstrongcfh.com), a private group practice of multi-disciplinary mental health professionals cultivating psychological and spiritual wellness for all ages. Dr. Armstrong first established her business in 2002 as a licensed psychologist in solo practice and expanded to become a group practice in 2010. There, she and her staff focus on psychological assessment, individual, couple, and family therapy, consultation, and continuing education. Since 2000, she has served as the Minister of Congregational Care and Counseling at Union Baptist Church (www.myubc.org) in Durham. Additionally, she serves as the Dean of the Counseling Studies Department at the Apex School of Theology (www.apexsot.edu) in Durham, where she directs the Counseling Studies Department.
Having double-majored in psychology and music at Yale University, she completed her Doctor of Philosophy degree in clinical psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a focus on child and adolescent issues. She completed her predoctoral internship at Duke University Medical Center with primary rotations in pediatric psychology and family therapy, and a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded postdoctoral fellowship at Duke’s Center for Developmental Epidemiology. Dr. Armstrong also holds a Master of Theological Studies degree from Duke University Divinity School (magna cum laude), where she subsequently taught on the faculty for five years.
In 2012, Dr. Armstrong was recognized by the Durham Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women as a Female Entrepreneur of the Year. As a member of the North Carolina Psychological Association (NCPA) Insurance Committee, Dr. Armstrong and her colleagues received the 2015 NCPA President’s Award for their service to NCPA members and the public at large. Furthermore, Dr. Armstrong was listed in the 2015 edition of Who’s Who in Black Raleigh-Durham, and was honored by the Ebonettes Service Club, Inc. in 2016 with the “Dare to Make a Difference” Award. In July 2018, Dr. Armstrong began her term as President of the North Carolina Psychological Association, making her the first African American female to lead the organization.
Ever a lover of gospel music, “Dr. T” Tonya Armstrong released in 2009 her debut gospel album, Choose Hope, which is available on iTunes and cdbaby.com. She is also the author of the newly released book/CD set, Blossoming Hope: The Black Christian Woman’s Guide to Mental Health and Wellness and Blossoming Hope Companion: Soothing Songs and Spoken Word Recordings, available on Amazon, Kindle, and cdbaby.com. She firmly believes that because Christ lives, loves us, and towers above even our worst problems, every day is a new opportunity to choose hope! Ultimately, her most important identities are servant of God, wife of 26 years to Corwin Armstrong, and mother of a 14-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son.
This year’s “Woman of Influence” is the media pioneer Cathy Hughes, an African-American entrepreneur, radio and television personality and business executive. Hughes founded the media company Radio One (now known as Urban One), and when the company went public in 1999, she became the first African-American woman to head a publicly traded corporation. In the 1970s, Hughes created the urban radio format called “The Quiet Storm” on Howard University’s radio station WHUR with disc jockey and fellow Howard student Melvin Lindsay.
On Saturday, March 2, 2019, this electrifying event is expected to draw 300 women and men of all ages and ethnicities to the JB Duke Hotel, 230 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708. The day begins at 9:00 am with the Our Minds, Our Voices Women’s Expo, a vendor showcase of fine wears (clothing and accessories) and corporate sponsors with consumer products and services. The Women’s Expo is free to the public.
Ballroom doors will open at 11 am for the Our Minds, Our Voices awards luncheon. Tickets can be purchased online at www.thearuagalleria.com, by phone 919.419.9868 or visit the Aura Galleria at 3742 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707.