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Monica Sparks (born March 10, 1972) is a radio talk show personality, entrepreneur, founder, author and elected official. She is best known for her political campaign in which she ran for Kent County Commissioner (12th district) representing the Democratic party.

Early Life

Born in Lansing, Michigan, Monica and her identical twin sister, Jessica Ann Tyson, had a difficult life early on. Their single mother was a heroin addict and had trouble providing for them. At age 4, both girls entered the foster care system. Unfortunately, it wasn’t much better in a new house. Their only meals came from the free breakfast provided at their school, as their foster parents often left them going to bed on empty stomachs. They were also victims to verbal abuse, where they were constantly told they were ugly and not good enough. It wasn’t until they were 8-years-old that things started to look up. They were adopted into a home of a single woman, Joyce Ann, who lived in [ https://www.discoverkalamazoo.com Kalamazoo, Michigan.] For a bit, it was just the three of them. But a few months later, Joyce Ann went on to marry the minister of the church they attended, Alonzo Sparks. The family blossomed and Monica and Jessica Ann were finally living the life they deserved. They both attended and graduated from [ https://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/Schools/HighSchools/LoyNorrixHS.aspx Loy Norrix High School] in 1990. Monica was also duel enrolled and attend [ https://www.kvcc.edu Kalamazoo Valley Community College] part time.

Career

In 1993, shortly after she graduated from high school, Monica went on to be a licensed real estate agent and broker for ReMax. She found great success in this industry and went on to build a real estate empire worth over $4 million. In 2008, when the economy took a downturn, Monica lost everything.

Monica realized that her real estate experience gave her profound marketing and networking skills. In 2004, she monopolized on these and founded her own consulting and promotional firm for small business owners called Urban Sparks, located in Kentwood, Michigan. She enjoyed sharing her knowledge with others and help them be successful with their businesses. She also created subsidiaries such as Radio for Divas, business and personal development courses, networking training seminars, Networking Sparks Conference, and Networking Diva Conference. Before she knew it, Monica was becoming a well-known community leader.

2010 brought another new opportunity for Monica to reach other small business owners and more specifically, women. Monica became a radio talk show host on the Monica sparks Radio Show on iHeart Radio.

As her radio audience continued to grow, Monica considered herself a “networking diva.” In 2013 Monica expanded and renamed her radio show, Radio for Divas. Radio for Divas provides positive talk and entertainment about women, business owners and professionals. That same year, Monica became an author. She wrote the book [ https://www.amazon.com/Networking-Divas-What-That-Dont/dp/1483674053  “Networking for Divas (What We Do That You Won’t) ] ” that advocates for networking as a tool for success and increasing one’s net worth. Monica also co-wrote two other books;  “I am Bigger than the Bully at my School” ( 2013)with Buster Mathis Jr., a book to teach children how to handle bullying and  “Losers Online…How to Spot the Daters and Avoid the Haters!”  (2013)which focuses on online dating.

In 2018, Monica decided to put her name on the ballot for Kent County Commissioner (12 th district) as a representative of the Democratic party. With hard work and passion for making a difference, the election results came in and Monica had won.

Jessica Ann Tyson and Monica Sparks

For the 2018 Mid-Term elections, Monica Sparks and her twin sister, Jessica Ann, made history when they ran for the same political office, in opposing parties. Monica ran for the Democratic party in the 12thdistrict and Jessica Ann ran for the Republican party in the 13thdistrict. After the election results came in on November 6, 2018, Monica had won but her sister Jessica Ann, lost. Despite the election outcomes, both women gained local, national and international attention. News media outlets jumped at the chance on hearing their story and learn what it is like having opposite political views in the same family.

3 Talks

In 2019, inspired from the media coverage, Monica and Jessica Ann decided to further the discussion and travel around the country doing talks on three topics that are important to them: “Same Bird” (the blending of opposing political views in families), “Twins 4 Life” (pro-life), and “Living Proof” (foster care/adoption). These topics are something that both women have knowledge and real-life experience dealing with. Their goals are to further conversation and hope to the audiences that listen.

Awards and Recognitions

CORP Magazine Diversity Business Leader of the Year

50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan, Grand Rapids Business Journal

Graduate Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy

Graduate United Way Project Blue Print

Philanthropy

National Heritage Academies Vista (Board President)

Certified SCORE Counselor and Mentor to Americas Small Business

Woman’s Life Chapter 881 (Vice President)

Advocates for Senior Issues (Diversity Committee Member)

American Legion Auxiliary, D.W. Cassard Post 208

Kent County Board of Commissioners Finance and Physical Resources Committee

ACSET Kent County Community Action (Board Member)

Kent County Democratic Party (Executive Board Member)

Media

1.Women’s Lifestyle

2.Elle

3.Huffington Post

4.Detroit Free Press

5.Independent Minds

6.NBC

7.CNN

8.MSNBC

9. Fox News

10.CBS This Morning

11. New York Post

Personal Life

Monica has been married to husband Lonnie Polk Jr. for over 2 years. She is the mother of two sons, Todd and Tyler Harris. Monica is twin sister to Jessica Ann Tyson.