Our Story

Grits & Grit is a wellness and community-centered organization created for Black Millennial and Gen Z women to move, connect, and experience joy through intentional spaces.

Founded unofficially during the pandemic, Grits & Grit began as a virtual gathering where women showed up each day to workout, laugh, release, and support one another during a time of uncertainty and isolation. What started on Zoom quickly became something deeper, a safe and affirming space rooted in care, connection, and consistency.

The name Grits & Grit is a reflection of that beginning.“Grits” represents warmth, nourishment, and conversation, an ode to Tiana’s favorite breakfast discovered during her HBCU experience. “Grit” represents the resilience and discipline that sustained the community.

In Fall 2022, Grits & Grit became an official LLC, and by the following year, the community transitioned from virtual gatherings to in-person experiences across Central New Jersey.

Since then, we’ve:

  • Served 160+ Black women through curated wellness events

  • Collaborated with 25+ Black-owned businesses in NJ

  • Built a growing digital community of 6,000+ on Instagram

What began as a moment has grown into a movement rooted in connection, creativity, and care.

mission

To bring Black Millennial and Gen Z women together to move, create, and connect.

vision

We believe in:

  • Fitness & Wellness: moving our bodies with intention while supporting black wellness instructors & spaces

  • Creativity: exploring creative expression through hands-on experiences that inspire joy, curiosity and connection

  • Community: building friendships and belonging

  • Education: learning new skills and trying new things

  • Fun: because play is healing

Meet our founder

Tiana Marie, Ed.M. is an HBCU graduate, educator, creative, wellness enthusiast, and community builder. She is passionate about making movement feel welcoming, accessible, and fun. Through Grits & Grit, she creates experiences that invite Black women to breathe, stretch, dance, hike, paddle, journal, and reset—all in the safety, joy, and power of community.

And in case you were wondering, yes, her favorite breakfast dish is grits (with salt and butter, of course), which is exactly where the name comes from. Just like a good bowl of soul food, Grits & Grit is meant to be warm, nourishing, comforting, and made with love just for us.

Professionally, Tiana has spent her career designing programs, building communities, and creating meaningful experiences that support others. Her background includes leading the Paul Robeson Cultural Center at Rutgers University, where she supported students of the African diaspora, as well as designing workforce development programs and curriculum that have helped limited-income learners access career opportunities and economic mobility. She also brings experience in marketing, communications, and creative strategy.

Driven by her passion for service, wellness, creativity, and connection, Tiana founded Grits & Grit to create the kind of community she was looking for herself—one where Black women can prioritize their well-being, try new things, build genuine friendships, and experience joy without pressure or pretense. Her vision is simple: to help more Black women feel connected and supported through movement, community, and shared experiences.