Tametria Conner Dantzler is a professional speaker who is committed to sharing her expertise as a journalist, advocate and mother of two sons diagnosed with autism. By combining those passions, Tametria motivates and educates parents, teachers, administrators, healthcare professionals, service providers and advocates on diverse topics including disability advocacy, professional/personal development and communication strategies throughout the state of Alabama, nation and beyond.
An accomplished journalist and award-winning, former TV news anchor and investigative reporter, Tametria is now an advocate for children on the spectrum and with related different abilities. Tametria has been a constant and viable voice for the voiceless for years with her advocacy reporting and it’s no surprise she is now using her voice and resources to reach an underserved and underrepresented population. In 2018, she founded 501 (c)(3) non-profit D.A.T.S. M.O.M. “Disability as an Ability Toward Success, Moms on the Move. D.A.T.S.M.O.M. is an advocacy organization for parents of children on the Autism Spectrum, or with related challenges. Within a few months of launching this organization, Tametria has served hundreds of parents by providing free group and individual educational training and extensive IEP training, helping families navigate their autism journey and giving parents the tools needed to shift their child’s disability to an ability. Several statewide initiatives and programs have been implemented including the high-impact 2020 Alabama Autism Safety Initiative and Faces of Autism Campaign. D.A.T.S. M.O.M. is a spin-off of her high-demand workshop session: “Disability as an Ability Toward Success: Understanding the diagnosis and journey while executing the plan. After standing room only sessions and positive feedback from thousands across the country, Tametria wanted to create a platform for parents to learn how to become effective advocates for their children.
Tametria’s passion derives from her fight for full access and quality childcare for her son and other children in the state of Alabama, including being successful with ensuring federal compliance with full program access for children with disabilities at the Montgomery County, Alabama Head Start. Since 2016, she has served in an Alabama Governor’s appointed position as the Parent Representative for the Alabama Early Intervention Interagency Coordinating Council. In this role, she helps to ensure Alabama children have proper access to early intervention and early childhood programs. In May of 2018, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey appointed her to serve on the Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council. Tametria has been accepted into the 2022-2024 National Early Childhood Advocacy Network leadership program where she has been charged to help develop inclusive and equitable early childhood programs in communities across the country.
Tametria has served as keynote speakers and presenters at various conferences across the country. She has earned several national, state and local awards for her advocacy journalism and community service over the last decade. In 2024, Tametria was named as one of Alabama’s most powerful women who are shaping the state by making a difference in their own unique ways. This is Alabama is recognizing and celebrating the 11th annual class of Women Who Shape the State. In 2022, Tametria earned the Vance Law Firm “Pay it Forward” service award for her commitment and dedication to the community. The Dantzler family earned the 2017 Family Guidance Center of Alabama Family of the Year Award. In 2023, she was appointed to serve on the Family Guidance Center of Alabama First Teacher Home Visiting Program Advisory Council.
Tametria currently serves as a family/caregiver member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Children with Disabilities Autism Subcommittee. The Autism Subcommittee provides evidence-based guidance specific to caring for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder and facilitates the translation of same into education, practice, policy and advocacy for pediatricians, caregivers, and the public. In her role on the subcommittee, Tametria will provide a unique and essential perspective as a family/caregiver who has a child on the autism spectrum.
In 2022, Tametria completed the Cornell University online certificate program in Women’s Entrepreneurship and the Allstate Foundation Nonprofit Leadership Center Management Essentials online program. Tametria earned a Master of Arts Degree in Public Affairs/Governmental Affairs from the University of Illinois at Springfield and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Berry College. She is married and the mother of four children.
