Speaker, author, relationship coach and talented home cook are just a few words used to describe Torey Tolson. Torey has been praised by professional groups and peers for her wit, humor, real-world approach and relatability on topics such as how to be a consistent friend to your mate, creating quality time with your mate and cooking as an expression of love. The Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio, named her to its inaugural class of 2018 Trendsetters.

A native of Zachary, Louisiana, Torey’s Southern roots carry over to the dinner table. She hosts a live weekly cooking demonstration on Facebook with many dedicated followers and is in the final stages of completing her first cookbook. Torey has had the pleasure of cooking for international R&B group, The Zapp Band; Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes, III, senior pastor, Friendship West Baptist Church, Dallas, TX;  Willie Lanier, Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee for the Kansas City Chiefs; and Tabiti Boone, senior advisor to President Obama’s Fatherhood Initiative, to name a few.

Married for seven years, Torey frequently speaks to women and couples on relationship goals and winning as a marital team. Alongside her husband, Larry Tolson, they host a podcast called You Just Aren’t Listening, which explores pitfalls affecting relationships and topics that could have been avoided if couples just listen.

In the past three years in her career as a supplier diversity professional, Torey has spoken to numerous audiences on how to get their business noticed by corporations as a diverse supplier. She’s helped the diversity program at her company reach higher levels of diversity spend by being engaged and serving as an advocate for minority, women-owned and veteran businesses. She has been requested as a featured speaker for numerous organizations that support diversity initiatives. In 2018, Torey was invited by Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro to join her Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, which is the first of its kind for county government in the city of Akron, Ohio.

Torey says she draws her inspiration from others who desire to live their best life. Her life’s motto is: “Be Efficient, Be Obedient, and You Won’t Have to Worry About Being Effective.” Torey holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dillard University in New Orleans, LA and in 2016 received her Master of Business Administration degree. Torey and Larry have one son, Xavier Keyon.