Meet Dr. Wanda Boone
The shimmer of crystal canisters filled with various liquids wasn’t just décor in Dr. Wanda Boone’s childhood home—it was a silent symbol of wealth, culture, and, eventually, personal struggle.
Growing up in Teaneck, NJ, alcohol was woven into the fabric of Dr. Boone’s social life. Today, as the CEO and Founder of Together for Resilient Youth (T.R.Y.) and an ambassador for Talk It Out NC, she channels her personal experiences into a mission to prevent underage drinking and build healthier communities.
The Romanticized Culture of Alcohol
In Boone’s early years, alcohol was more than just a beverage. “It was always out, displayed beautifully ,” she recalls. For Boone as well as for many children, the glamorization of alcohol planted seeds normalizing behaviors that led to dangerous habits.
Growing up with an alcoholic father created an environment of emotional turmoil. Isolated from typical teenage experiences, Boone herself began drinking while underage as a coping mechanism. By 15, she was an alcoholic. “All I wanted to do was stop the pain,” she shares candidly. Her addiction continued into adulthood.
The Pathway to Sobriety
While Boone’s addiction was shaped by personal and cultural factors as a teen, her path to sobriety as an adult was deeply rooted in faith. “I gave my life to Christ. Getting sober was about who I needed to be to represent the Lord properly,” she reflects.
Celebrating 40 years of sobriety, Boone emphasizes that recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. “You don’t need a spiritual connection to stop drinking alcohol. But for me, prayer helped take away the desire.”
She respects the many different routes people take out of addiction, whether through faith, medication, or recovery programs. “I believe that there are pathways out of addiction. Regardless of which road you take, take the road. That’s the most important thing.”
Empowering the Next Generation
As a Talk it Out NC ambassador, Boone brings her full self—her past struggles, her professional expertise, and her faith—into her advocacy work. As a professional, Dr. Boone’s credentials are impeccable. She founded T.R.Y. in 2000 and is recognized as an expert in the field of Resilience/Adverse Childhood Experiences. She currently serves as an RN, Sr. with RA, Duke University Medical Center. Prior to her current role, she achieved 20 years of success in the private sector. Dr. Boone also holds a PhD in Theology and Public Health.
On a personal level, Boone’s story is a stark reminder of how adverse childhood experiences can drive teens towards underage drinking. These personal struggles allow her to connect deeply with young people facing similar challenges today.
Once, after presenting at a multi-day speaking event, Dr. Boone found herself talking to a 15-year-old young man. The student told her how everyone in his family drank alcohol. He wasn’t sure what to do with the information Dr. Boone had presented. She told him that he couldn’t make his own life choices based on the decisions people around him are making.
A day or two later, he told her he’d witnessed family members arguing. One relative was shot as a result. He reflected how alcohol had been involved. “Thank you for what you said. Because of what you said, I decided to come back and hear more.”
In 2024 alone, through T.R.Y. and Talk it Out NC efforts Boone helped reach 24,000 young people with life-changing messages about alcohol prevention. In raising her children and becoming a foster parent, Boone has found that “when you provide children with a stable environment, rules, and respect, they are able to blossom.”
She knows that children and teens need more than just facts about alcohol’s dangers; they need honest conversations and role models who understand their struggles. She trains youth health ambassadors to speak with their peers about navigating peer pressure and making informed decisions. Dr. Boone also equips teens, parents, and communities with resources and support to Start the Conversation about tough subjects, like underage drinking. She says, “Communities matter, families within communities matter, parents within families matter, and children within families and within schools matter.”
Finding Support to Change
Dr. Wanda Boone’s story is one of transformation—not just for herself, but for the young people she’s touched through her work. Her efforts can be seen statewide in North Carolina, throughout the United States, and even internationally in the United Kingdom, Kenya, and Australia.
Her life is a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and the belief that change is always possible. By sharing her story, Boone creates spaces where young people can find hope, support, and the courage to choose a different path.
Explore Dr. Boone’s favorite resources to start the conversation.
