I’m Tekella Foster, a certified etiquette and manners coach and the founder of Crown of Beauty for Ashes, LLC.

My passion for teaching etiquette and manners stems from my upbringing in Mississippi intertwined with several teachable “Am I doing this correctly?” moments as a young professional arriving in New York City in 2001.

I am an Emmy award-winning journalist and media professional with nearly two decades of experience working with media companies including Al Roker Productions, CNN, NPR, ABC, and HGTV.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I decided to leave New York City and head to our hometown in Mississippi until things got back to “normal”. While working as a journalist, I’d been reporting on how students were suffering academically, emotionally, and socially. I wanted to help the local community; so I eventually became a substitute teacher at the public schools I once attended.

Not long after, I started teaching etiquette and manners to young people at the local library. The positive feedback I received was astoundingly surprising, and it was the motivation I needed to continue.

In this fast-paced, ever-changing, pluralistic society, the principles of proper etiquette and good manners: respect, consideration, kindness, and honesty are constant—no matter the social setting and no matter where we are in the world; however, the code of conduct (etiquette rule) in a social setting may differ.

I am eager to share my teachable moments with young people and help them embrace life’s challenges and unfamiliar social settings to develop the skills needed to navigate through life as Confident, Considerate, Curious, and Compassionate human beings, in order to bring more beauty into their world.

I received my formal training in etiquette and manners from The British School of Excellence of London, United Kingdom. I earned a master’s degree in journalism from Regent University, a B.A. degree in broadcast journalism, and a minor in Spanish from The University of Southern Mississippi.

When I’m not teaching etiquette through Crown of Beauty for Ashes, I’m working in media production—my main line of work—helping shape meaningful stories for TV, podcasts, and digital platforms. I also enjoy offering beginner piano lessons and tutoring English to Spanish speakers. Whether it’s music, manners, or a simple handwritten note, I love creating moments that bring people together. At the heart of everything I do is the desire to make people feel seen, valued, and cared about.

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