Twanna “T-Fay” Dewdney, a local business owner, community activist and Polk State College Alumni Association board member, received the Banker’s Cup Citizens of the Year Award at this year’s Celebrate Winter Haven gala.
Dewdney’s list of accomplishments is long. She is a Polk State Distinguished Alumni, is active in her church, participates in prison ministry and has received numerous awards recognizing her leadership and generosity.
“As I sat there at table 5 listening to hear who the 2025 Woman of the Year would be, I soon realized that it was me,” Dewdney said in a statement. “I am truly honored and humbled to receive the Banker’s Cup Award.”
The award from the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce recognizes individuals whose lives reflect a deep and lasting commitment to community service.
A proud Winter Haven native and graduate of Winter Haven High School, Dewdney began her college journey at Polk State on an athletic scholarship. But her path was far from easy.
“She stumbled,” said Katie Worthington Decker, who presented the award. “She made mistakes. There were arrests, regrets and challenges that might have derailed her future entirely. But instead, they shaped her mission.”
After dropping out, Dewdney found her footing in cosmetology, a field she had long admired.
Her life took a dramatic turn during pregnancy when she developed a rare condition that caused her to lose her sight. She was one of only eight known cases in the U.S., and one of just two survivors. Miraculously, her vision returned four days after her daughter, Ashanti, was born. That moment became a catalyst.
“My family is the source of my strength and the foundation of my personal growth,” Dewdney said. “My family built my confidence and gave me the courage to live with no apologies.”
With help from her family, Dewdney opened Salon Ashanti in 2004 in the Florence Villa neighborhood, quickly becoming more than just another business.
“This salon became a place of refuge,” Decker said. “A place where people could find encouragement, dignity, education — and hope.”
Dewdney’s commitment to service deepened over time, extending impact far beyond the salon. She is a licensed HIV/AIDS counselor and tester, offering free services and education to those in need. She launched Project Park Bench, a grassroots initiative that began with a single bench in her salon and grew into a citywide effort to collect coats, blankets, toiletries and food for the homeless.
“She faced extraordinary challenges, but each one became a steppingstone for how she would serve others,” Decker said. “Her life’s story is one of perseverance, faith and relentless compassion for many people who, unfortunately, remain ‘unseen’ by the broader community.”
She returned to Polk State and earned her Associate in Arts degree in 2011, then her Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management degree in 2013. In December of 2016, Dewdney was named one of Polk State’s Distinguished Alumni — the College’s first from its baccalaureate degree programs.
Steve Warner, Vice President of Resource Development and Executive Director of the Polk State College Foundation, praised Dewdney’s enduring influence.
“T-Fay’s story is a masterclass in grace and grit,” Waner said. “She reminds us that legacy isn’t about perfection, it’s about purpose. Her journey inspires our students, our alumni and our entire community.”
As the ceremony concluded, Dewdney stood before a crowd of supporters, friends and family to remind everyone not to give up on the people in life who have hit a bump in the road.
“I’ve been through many challenges, but my family has always been by my side,” Dewdney said. “When I encountered setbacks, they prayed for me to rise again. And when I’m on my A-game, they cheer me on. Family is truly a blessing from God. They make this all worthwhile.”