LIRM Lookout ~ Tanya Blount is Empowering Others ~ BLESSED

I can remember it like it was yesterday, my cousin was totally in love with her teenage love and she had to let the entire world know it. From pictures, love letters and the myriad amount of stuffed bears, she was what one would call "Head Over Heels". The saddest part of the love spell was of me loaning my shoulder for her to cry on and her playing "Their" song continuously.

More Love Stories after the jump

Now I must testify that she was truly out of touch with what love was at the time but the best part of it all was the aforementioned song. Not only was the song flavored with a smooth groove and a modern tempo but the voice was and still is that of a seasoned professional.

The Songstress was none other than Tonya Blount and let me just say this, "The Sista was Bad and we all knew it." This Washington, D.C. born powerhouse voice is considered one of the most missed voices in various musical fields.

Imagine being at a certain restaurant or gathering and on comes one of her hits such as "Thru The Rain" "Hold On" or even the most recent " Right Here" which is from Tyler Perry's "A Family That Preys". I personally can attest to the fact that I was floored to find this woman of faith continuing to embrace the call on her life.

Not only is Tanya an actress and a singer having appeared in "Sister Act 2" with Oscar Winner Whoopi Goldberg and Grammy Winning Singer Lauryn Hill but she has added Author to her repertoire with the release of her self empowering work "Thru The Rain - 40 Principles for Surviving Life Challenges".

She can also be heard online with her weekly show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/befreeshow which is designed to empower women to be all they can be. Her most important role to date would be that of a mother as she is raising a teenage son and doing it effortlessly.

Check out Tanya as she belts out some of her most recognizable hits and see what we have been missing.