A Legacy That Lives. A Fight That Matters.
The Dr. Tyra Edwards Baker Foundation was established to honor the life and legacy of a woman whose passion for education and love for people has and continues to impact her community.
To fund education, fight ALS, and amplify advocacy – especially in underserved and minority communities disproportionately affected by medical disparities.
This foundation is for every overlooked patient, every unspoken story, and every family holding onto hope.
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. As those neurons die, patients lose the ability to move, speak, swallow, and eventually breathe.
Though most ALS cases are considered sporadic (appearing without known family history), growing research has identified potential triggers and risk factors, including:
Veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS compared to the general population. Exposure to chemicals, head injuries, extreme physical exertion and environmental toxins are possible contributors. All military branches and conflicts, including post-9/11 veterans, show elevated rates.
Studies show a possible link between repeated concussions or severe head injuries and later development of ALS. This includes athletes and individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Long-term exposure to pesticides, lead, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and industrial solvents may increase ALS risk. Areas with high levels of air pollution and contaminated water sources show slightly higher incidence rates.
5–10% of cases are familial (genetic mutation) ALS is underdiagnosed in Black and Hispanic populations due to disparities in access, delayed recognition of symptoms, and misdiagnosis.
The reality: ALS is not caused by one thing—but for many, it may be sparked by a combination of environmental, physical, and genetic factors.
2–5 years from diagnosis
$150,000+ out-of-pocket
Feeding tubes, speech devices, home care, wheelchairs, ventilators, and round-the-clock support
The emotional cost to caregivers and loved ones is immeasurable
ALS affects everyone in the home, not just the patient. And for minority families, the road is often harder and the support even more limited.
“WE ALL NEED MAKEOVERS FROM TIME TO TIME. (TRANSFORMING MORE THAN THE WAY PEOPLE LOOK. IT’S IMPORTANT TO CHANGE THE WAY PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THEMSELVES.”
Dr. Baker is extremely gifted and she has received numerous awards.
Dr. Baker is a member of the Alpha Theta Chi Honor Society (USA), National Board for Certified Teachers, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
She has also served on several district committees for Baldwin County Public Schools. Dr. Baker currently serves on the AdvancED External Review Team for Accreditation (formerly known as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
She is also a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Baldwin County Education Association, Alabama Education Association, National Educational Association and the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools.
Dr. Baker’s advice to today’s youth continues to inspire and guide us:
To fund education, fight ALS, and amplify advocacy
We are more than a foundation. We are a movement! Our goal is to:
Because she taught thousands, we will teach thousands more.
Our events bring awareness, raise funds, and honor Tyra’s ongoing impact through celebration, remembrance, and action.
*Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit application is currently pending with the IRS
We have applied for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS and are awaiting approval. While donations are not currently tax-deductible, we are committed to achieving full nonprofit status to maximize the impact of your generous contributions.
Thank you for your generosity.
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Dr. Tyra Edwards Baker stands for knowledge, dignity, and courage. She educated the head and inspired the heart. ALS silenced her voice—but it cannot silence what she taught us.
We are fighting not just for a cure, but for a culture of care, equity, and inclusion.
We are the voice for the overlooked, the underdiagnosed, and the underrepresented.
And we are not stopping until hope wins.
