Tameka Citchen-Spruce

When we speak of self-determination, courage and integrity, we find these attributes in Tameka Citchen-Spruce.  She embraces these qualities and displays them as she advocates for others.  Tameka has a type-2 spinal cord injury which requires her to use a wheelchair.  Nonetheless nothing obstructs her path.  

In 2006, she won the Ms. Wheelchair Michigan pageant that recognizes the inner beauty of women with disabilities who advocate for others.  As Ms. Wheelchair, Tameka spoke of supporting women with disabilities who are being abused. Two years later she formed Women Empower Inc., helping to strengthen women with disabilities in living fulfilled lives. She is a member of Warriors on Wheels of Metropolitan Detroit and volunteers for the Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative. In 2017, she was chosen to be a Disability Ambassador for the World Disability Institute, where she represented people with disabilities at the Congressional Black Caucus’ annual conference.

Tameka is a graduate of Oakland University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism.  She chose this path to tell life stories of how people overcame personal challenges.  Ultimately, she became involved with the Michigan film industry where she produced a documentary called “Redefining Beauty,” which spotlights the lives “of four Detroit area teenage girls who faced anger, frustration, and the insecurities of growing up.

Tameka is a dedicated daughter, sister, wife and mother who shares her goodness with those she meets, especially in her advocacy for underserved populations.  Whether it be fighting for women’s disability empowerment or law enforcement relationships in the African-American community, Tameka never tires in her fight for justice and equality.  She just recently was awarded with Cookie Gant Spirit Award, which honors and recognizes disability advocates.