Daily Inspiration: Meet Tia Spells

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tia Spells.

Hi Tia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I would be happy to. My journey as a children’s book author and as the Co-Founder and CEO of the 4ever4kids Foundation is deeply rooted in my family’s legacy—particularly the legacy of my father, Alphonso Spells. After his passing in 2016, I was profoundly moved by the outpouring of love from the community. People came forward—former students, colleagues, family, and friends—each sharing how he had shaped their lives, taught them discipline and humanity, and helped them believe in themselves when they doubted their abilities.

My father served as an educator for 40 years without taking a single sick day or vacation. He was a true humanitarian, always extending himself to anyone in need. Hearing the impact he had on generations of young people, especially at a time when the education system is facing significant challenges, I felt called to continue his work in my own way. That inspiration led me to begin writing children’s books—stories designed to uplift, build confidence, and help children see possibility in themselves.

In January 2025, my daughter, Cydney-Elise Kone’, and I co-founded the 4ever4kids Foundation to expand that mission. Together, we created a nonprofit dedicated to restoring humanity, strengthening self-esteem, and providing meaningful support to youth, seniors, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Everything we do is an extension of the values my father instilled in us at the kitchen table—integrity, compassion, and service.

That is how my story began, and it continues to evolve as we build programs, write books, and serve communities with purpose and heart.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has certainly not been entirely smooth, but every challenge has contributed to my growth as both an author and a nonprofit leader. In many ways, the creative side of becoming a children’s book author came naturally to me. Writing has always been a space of comfort and expression, and I attribute that to my father’s influence. He was an artist, poet, singer, athlete, humanitarian, and educator—so transitioning from writing music to writing children’s books felt like an organic extension of the gifts he passed down.

Where the real challenges arose was in the business side of authorship—particularly marketing. Writing the books is the easy part; getting them seen is far more complex. It can also be disheartening when established authors with large followings see your work, adopt similar concepts, and release them at a scale your platform may not yet support. That has happened, and while it is frustrating, it has also reinforced my commitment to staying innovative. The advantage I hold is that no one knows my next move until I make it.

There is also the increasing presence of AI-generated books, which introduces a new layer of competition. Many individuals with no background in writing are now able to release multiple books at a time with little to no creative involvement. This presents challenges for authors who invest deeply in originality, storytelling, and craft.

On the nonprofit side, our experience has been both inspiring and eye-opening. The 4ever4kids Foundation has grown rapidly, but with that growth comes another set of challenges. We have learned that not all nonprofit leaders operate with the same level of integrity or commitment to ethical service. It has been essential for us to remain vigilant about who we partner with and to ensure that every collaboration aligns with our values. Ultimately, our guiding principle is simple: keep the children, senior citizens, and those experiencing homelessness at the forefront of every decision we make.

While the journey has had its obstacles, each one has strengthened our mission and clarified our purpose.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work spans both creative and philanthropic spaces, but at its core, everything I do is centered on uplifting and empowering others—especially children. I am a children’s book author who writes stories that inspire imagination, build confidence, and nurture self-esteem. In addition to storybooks, I create activity books designed to help children see their own value and potential. Beyond authorship, I serve as the Co-Founder and CEO of the 4ever4kids Foundation, where our mission is to restore humanity, integrity, and compassion within our communities. Through our programs, events, and direct service efforts, we support youth, seniors, and individuals experiencing homelessness.

People often describe me as a “Jack of all trades,” and I embrace that. I am someone who enjoys exploring life fully—whether skydiving, hang gliding, jet skiing, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, training in fitness, or expressing myself through acting, singing, and dancing. Creativity and movement have always been threads woven through my life.

What I am most proud of, however, are my three children. They are the embodiment of resilience, talent, and purpose. My oldest daughter, Raven-Alexis, is a gifted writer and artist. She has written for Netflix and currently writes for Marvel, after graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in film. My middle daughter, Cydney-Elise, began her creative journey early—publishing her first short story at age ten. Since then, she has authored a poetry chapbook with more works on the way. She has appeared in college commercials, musicals, an Apple commercial, and even a Super Bowl flag football commercial. She is also a five-year State and Regional gymnast and earned her degree in Criminal Justice from Sacramento State University. My youngest son is an exceptional writer, rapper, and athlete. Alongside Cydney-Elise, he formed a sibling music duo called Tw!n Cannon$, known for their remarkable sound and for hosting their own competition series, NEXT UP, complete with an original theme song that truly showcases their talent.

What sets me apart is my unwavering compassion and my vision for creating a better world—one where every child feels valued, where integrity is a lived principle, and where community care is not an exception but the norm. My work, my writing, and my leadership are all reflections of that commitment.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that often surprises people who know me or know my work is just how many roles I have taken on throughout my life in order to support my children and remain fully present in their upbringing. To ensure I could attend every sports competition, performance, musical, and milestone, I embraced a wide variety of jobs—many of them far outside the traditional scope of my creative and nonprofit work.

Over the years, I helped build recording studios, installed flooring, completed sheetrock and insulation work, built theatrical sets, performed stunts for films, a personal fitness trainer and even drove for Uber, Lyft, and HopSkipDrive. Whatever it required to provide for my family while keeping my schedule flexible enough to show up for my children, I did it.

People often see the polished side of authorship, leadership, and community service, but they may not realize how much grit, adaptability, and hands-on work occurred behind the scenes. That range of experiences has shaped not only who I am, but also the work ethic and resilience that define my brand today. I am also proud to announce the release of my thirteenth work and my very first chapter book, Mini Moguls: What Can I Be Now?—my best work yet—now available on Amazon.com and 4ever4kids.com. Our Foundation received a Certificate of Recognition from the 54th District Assembly member Mark Gonzales for our Humanity Closet on Skid Row.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.4ever4kids.com www.4ever4kidsfoundation.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/4ever4kidsfoundation www.instagram.com/4ever4kids

Image Credits
4ever4kids Foundation Gifted with Love Holiday Event & Toy Giveaway group pic by Connor Terry, Christmas tree & 4EVER4KIDS book pics by Cydne-Elise Kone and Janine Robinson, Denim author pics with and without books by Cydney-Elise Kone’,