Nicole Lee Collins - Moore Funeral Home­­, Dallas/Arlington, TX

  A native of Dallas, Nicole Lee Collins received an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Mortuary Service from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. Her career began as an apprentice at Sandra Clark Funeral Home, where she served under the direct supervision of Sandra Clark and dedicated staff members, Francis Davis, the late Rev. John Davis and Robert Taylor. Nicole’s tenure at Sandra Clark Funeral Home was for 8 years. Her journey then carried her into the corporate world of funeral service where she has been employed with Stewart/SCI preparation departments, the Care Centers for North Texas for the last 7 years. Over the past 15 years Nicole has had the privilege of servicing close friends, relatives, her funeral family colleagues, and prestigious members of their community. Her funeral home family extends over state lines to members of the 100 Black Women of Funeral Service Inc and even close to home ties with their lady undertakers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. In 2010, Nicole became a member and was honored by Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity as Embalmer of the Year. Nicole received Best in Class Embalmer of the Year 2011 from Restland Funeral Home in Dallas. Nicole states, “It’s the fire in my eyes, and the flash of my teeth, the swing in my waist, and the joy in my feet. I’m a Woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal Woman, that’s me.”

Tonya Cunningham - Tonya Cunningham Ministries, Arlington, TX

  Tonya Cunningham is a successful and dedicated licensed social worker, funeral director and embalmer. Her duties as a mortician afforded her the opportunity to practice in a local funeral home as funeral director in charge. Currently, Tonya serves as social worker and bereavement coordinator for a local hospice company and grief support group facilitator for a local Dignity Memorial provider funeral home. Tonya obtained an Associate in Applied Science at Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. She graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from the University of Texas, and was later motivated to pursue graduate degrees in the field of counseling and went on to earn two Master of Art degrees in that field at Amberton University. Tonya has made history as the very first African-American female instructor at the renowned Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, where she served as the director of Learning Resources, as well as the school chaplain and counselor, providing spiritual guidance and support to both students and staff with over 1,000 students benefitting from her tutelage. Tonya was also elected as the first female mortician to become president of the Fort Worth/Tarrant County Funeral Directors Association. Tonya also serves as business consultant to funeral homes and other funeral industry providers and has served on the board of directors for several local organizations in the death care industry. Tonya is affectionately known as the “Flock Jock of Grief Lady” who travels to meet people at their point of need. She also serves as grief facilitator for A Life Celebration by Barry Franklin in Taylor, TX and King Tears Mortuary, Inc in Austin, TX where she facilitates a monthly grief support group. Tonya received her Minister’s license under the leadership of her spiritual father and former pastor, Dr. Alvin Pope of Calvary’s Nation of Faith Church in Fort Worth. The mission of promise is to empower women to become the women God created them to be.