Shurla Alleyne Tyler grew up in Goodwood, Tobago, a smaller island in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and has lived in Brooklyn for more than a decade.
She described what life was like growing up there: “As a community, we would always go to the river, pitch marbles, walk to and from school, which made our town very tight-knit. We would go to my paternal grandmother’s house in Trinidad during the holidays. It was always something to look forward to because she spoiled us, and it was fun to be around the family.”
People may be surprised to learn that Tyler is a loving, kind, and family-oriented person who will go out of her way to make everyone happy. She said she can be very emotional, which makes me stronger.
Tyler sees her dad as the greatest influence on her life because she has always admired how he worked hard to ensure she and her siblings got the best he could afford.
“With his kind heart, he would wake up before 4 a.m. and pray with us before we went to take care of the animals. This motivated me to maintain my spirituality, which has given me inner peace and ambition to achieve the best life offers,” she added.
Tyler remembers witnessing acts of kindness growing up in Tobago, including when her parents would take in young people who were put out of their homes for various reasons.
“We had a small wooden house, but we always made an effort to make sure everyone felt welcomed and comfortable,” Tyler explained.
She then discussed the acts of kindness she does regularly, and how several families in her community have benefited from them.
“I donate food supplies and clothing to single mothers throughout the year. I also donate laptops anonymously to my primary school. Single mothers have been extremely grateful for my generosity and look forward to the yearly gifts,” she stated.
According to Tyler, her contributions have had a positive impact on her community overall because she has always had her community in mind, ever since I moved to the United States.
“They know they have someone who deeply cares about giving back. Trinidad and Tobago was my home
for 20 years, and where I experienced most of my major life experiences,” she continued.
Additionally, she has always loved to cook and clean, especially when she was younger. She loves a healthy environment because she believes you thrive in a clean and comfortable space.
She wants kindness to be part of her legacy. She truly believes, “If I can help someone as I pass along this journey of life, my living will not have been in vain.”
Tyler encourages the young people in New York to “find someone who needs an extra hand.” That way, they would genuinely do their part to make someone’s life meaningful.
“It’s such a joy to see a smile on someone’s face, making a positive impact on their well-being,” she added.
