Overview:
Tiya Trent shares how her passion for the arts, youth empowerment and acts of service shapes her work at Project VOYCE and beyond.
Tiya Trent is a powerful reminder that the personal and political are often one and the same. A theater artist, educator, activist, baker and mother of two, she has built her life around showing up for her family, her community and young people navigating a world that doesn’t always see or support them.
Whether she’s performing in a play, facilitating dialogue through Project VOYCE or cooking up cupcakes with a side of love, Trent brings joy and purpose to everything she does.
Tiya sees no contradiction between education, art and activism—in fact, she believes those elements must work together. Her work reflects that conviction, whether she’s organizing with the March for Black Women, modeling in a fashion show or mentoring youth through social justice-centered programming.
At Project VOYCE, where she served as Program Manager, Tiya empowers young people to advocate for their mental health, their communities, and their futures. She draws on her own experiences as a mother and learner, showing youth that they don’t have to wait to lead. Even in the face of budget cuts and institutional barriers, Tiya radiates resilience.
In this week’s 5 Questions, Tiya talks about why baking is her act of love, how being of service runs in her blood and why youth-led work is more urgent than ever
You are involved in the arts, education and activism. Why are all those things important to you?
These elements are crucial to me because I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them. For me, a lot of this goes back to the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Movement, where my people fought to have these “rights.”
Since I can remember, I have always been passionate about the arts. As a young girl, I used to dance in a group. We would go and perform at retirement homes, community events, and of course, for our friends and family, and most of it was to Janet Jackson’s music.
I have always loved getting an education, whether it’s from a classroom or the streets. My top strength is Learner, and that is also why activism is so important to me, although that may look a bit different now that I am getting older.
My activism has led me to understand that I don’t have to be on the “front lines.” My voice is powerful, and as long as I use it and add some action behind it, I am right where I am supposed to be.
Organizations you are passionate about could be seeing cuts. What do people need to know about that?
Right now, this hasn’t hit too close to home for me. And organizations that are seeing cuts or could be will create innovative ways to continue to do the work that they are doing. I would say this is especially true for Black organizations. Having to raise money or create our own table is nothing new to Black folks.
You are a mom of two boys and work with youth in Project VOYCE. Why is the work needed now more than ever?
I am a mother of two young men who are my whole world. Everything that I do, I do for them, even if they don’t understand that. I have learned a lot during my tenure at PV.
Organizations that work in collaboration with youth are not only important but a necessity. Our youth have been witnessing and living in a world that has not made the necessary adjustments to support them and their mental health. Organizations that collaborate and work in partnership with youth will be ahead of the curve.
You say your love language is acts of service. What does that look like in your life?
Acts of service are something that runs in my family. I can see it in the jobs/careers my brothers, sisters, and cousins have chosen. I have worked with youth for over 20 years in different capacities. I am the friend or person that is always there to support, even if I don’t have it.
My auntie is always yelling at me (in a good way) to stop helping folks, but it’s in my blood. I want people to know that they are seen, heard, and loved because sometimes it doesn’t happen. I also want people to know that they can call on me and don’t ever have to feel alone or like a burden.
You have lots of interests, but tell us about your love for baking. How did this come about, and what’s your favorite cupcake?
I love to bake! It all started when I moved to Longmont with my sons. They were still young, and as a way to help make the move better, I started baking and cooking with my sons so that we could make some family traditions and so that we could always have a bonding time where we could talk and laugh while creating family memories.
Then I started sharing my gift with others, and they loved what I was making and said I should sell stuff. At the time, I didn’t think much about it, but then my mommy passed away, and things changed. I was in between jobs, another story for another time, so I had to think fast. So, I started my baking business and named it Patty Bakes after my mommy. She’s that extra love that goes into my baking.
I don’t have a favorite cupcake, but my favorite cake is an ooey-gooey butter cake. My friend wanted one, so I found a recipe, and it’s been my favorite ever since.