Meet Lynniah
Grayson
Faith, Legacy & Resilience
A Vessel for Healing and Transformation
Peace and love—and thank you for visiting my page. My prayer is that God will use me as a vessel of truth, healing, and purpose—not just for you, but for your family and your community.
I’m Lynniah Grayson, a Black and British American woman deeply rooted in my ancestry. According to my DNA, 80.5% of my heritage traces back to Sub-Saharan Africa—primarily Ghana and Nigeria—and 18.6% connects to British lineage. This unique cultural blend has shaped how I move through the world, allowing me to embrace multiple identities and serve as a bridge between communities. I believe that true transformation begins with knowing who you are, where you come from, and why you were created.
For much of my life, I felt different—like I never fully fit into a single category. But over time, through deep faith and self-discovery, I’ve learned that difference is power. I am living proof that resilience, intelligence, and beauty can coexist—even when the world tries to reduce one to amplify another.
I no longer shrink myself to make others comfortable. Instead, I step fully into my identity, knowing that my presence is intentional, my voice is necessary, and my story is meant to be shared.
Family & Legacy
My Loved Ones, My Strength
I come from a deeply rooted family whose resilience and love have shaped every part of who I am. Raised in Seattle, Washington, I was blessed with a strong foundation—one built by my parents, who despite separating when I was just three, remained deeply present in my life. My mother, a native of Seattle born in Nevada, was the first professional I ever knew. Watching her navigate corporate America as a Black woman taught me the power of grace, excellence, and quiet strength. She reminds me of Michelle Obama—always encouraging me to rise above, even when every part of me wants to do otherwise.
My father, born and raised in Oklahoma City where he still resides, is a creator and a true jack of all trades. Part singer, part builder, part spiritual compass—he passed down the spirit of innovation and faith that fuels so much of my work today. I’m also proud to be the granddaughter of a matriarch—my 87-year-old grandmother who has lived in the same home for 55 years, serving as the cornerstone of our family’s legacy.
That legacy continues through me—but even more so through my children. Motherhood is the most sacred calling on my life. I have two beautiful children: my daughter, Nishaya (Shay), age 8, and my son, Asante, age 2. Shay carries the spirit of someone who’s been here before—wise beyond her years, full of light, and deeply connected to the divine. After her father was murdered, she began ministering to me with words no child her age should have known. She is, without a doubt, an old soul—one of my ancestors returned. Asante is all energy and fire, new to this world and full of adventure. He reminds me daily to embrace the joy, the unpredictability, and the sacred mess of life.
These two are my greatest ministry. They are why I move with purpose. They are the legacy I’m building in real-time.
Survivor to Leader
Overcoming Trauma & Finding Purpose
Turning Pain into Purpose
I am a survivor—of trauma, loss, and injustice. Like so many, I carry the weight of both historical and generational trauma. But through grace, faith, and intentional healing, I continue to rise.
At just 11 years old, I survived sexual abuse—a devastating experience that shaped my understanding of betrayal, boundaries, and resilience.
As a teen, I endured injustice within the judicial system.
As a young adult, I survived domestic violence, trapped in cycles I had to fight to break—cycles that so many women never escape.
But the most profound loss came with the murder of my first love—the father of my daughter. Taken by gun violence, his death left me navigating grief, single motherhood, and systems that too often fail to support or protect Black families.
I don’t just grieve for myself—I grieve for my daughter, who deserved to know her father.
And yet, I rise.
I made a choice—not to be defined by my circumstances but to be refined by them.
I chose faith. I chose healing. I chose purpose.
Today, I stand as a woman who has turned pain into power.
My lived experience fuels my mission: to advocate, to build, to lead, and to create spaces for healing and transformation.
This journey is not just about survival—it’s about legacy, leadership, and the unshakable power of resilience.
Career & Leadership
Creating Impact Beyond Survival
Advocacy, Research, and Leadership
My journey has not only been about personal survival but about building systems that create lasting change. I’ve dedicated my career to advocacy, research, and leadership, particularly in areas that impact survivors of violence, marginalized communities, and those navigating systemic injustice.
As the Founder and Executive Director of Resilient In Sustaining Empowerment (RISE), I developed a comprehensive framework to support survivors of gun violence—centered on trauma recovery, healing-engaged practices, and grief support. My work extends beyond direct service—I actively develop national strategies and frameworks to uplift survivors and advocate for sustainable, survivor-led systems change.
In addition to my nonprofit work, I am deeply involved in community-based research and violence prevention efforts. As a researcher at an R1 (Research 1) institution, I focus on developing and implementing community-informed approaches to interrupt cycles of violence and inform effective policy. My work centers survivor voices, influences public health strategies, and guides systems toward more equitable responses.
My leadership has also been recognized on a national level. I was selected to join the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) at the University of Chicago, representing Washington State among thirty national leaders committed to dismantling cycles of violence through survivor-led advocacy and innovation.
Education & Breaking Cycles
A Commitment to Growth
Breaking Cycles, Building a Future
Education has become a top priority in my later years—a meaningful contrast to my youth, where survival often took precedence over academic aspirations. When you're in survival mode, it's hard to dream beyond the day-to-day. But once I emerged from that place, I began to see beyond the smoke. I recognized the value of higher education—not just as a personal goal, but as a pathway to legacy.
Now, I embrace the pursuit of knowledge as an act of resistance, resilience, and renewal.
I’m currently completing my bachelor’s degree, with plans to continue on to a master’s and ultimately a doctoral program.
This journey is not just about me—
It’s about breaking generational cycles.
It’s about rewriting the narrative for my children—and for the generations that come after us.
Let’s Work Together
Open to Collaboration & Opportunities
Endless Possibilities – Embracing Expansion & Creativity
I’m at a powerful inflection point—stepping boldly into new spaces that allow me to combine my lived experience, creative voice, and leadership expertise. Whether through media, advocacy, research, or global engagement, I’m open to aligned collaborations that amplify impact and healing.
My work spans both domestic and international landscapes, recently extending to Indonesia and Africa, as I continue to build a global mission centered on transformation and justice.
I welcome opportunities to:
Speak at events and summits
Consult with organizations seeking trauma-informed or survivor-led strategies
Collaborate on storytelling, wellness, or media initiatives
Mentor emerging leaders or changemakers
If my mission or story resonates with you—let’s explore what’s possible, together.