Sharniece Jamison
ASMP Advocate

I am the proud mother of Saniah Taylor, known to so many as “TankHead.” Saniah was a vibrant, creative, and determined young woman whose passion touched everyone around her. She was a junior at Clark Atlanta University, a talented fashion designer, and the visionary founder of the TankHead Clothing Line. Her dream was to use fashion as a form of empowerment, and she lived that dream boldly. 

In March 2024, my world changed forever. Saniah went to the ER with what we believed was a sinus infection. She took the prescribed medication and passed away in her sleep later that night. I was later told that meningitis was involved, though the exact cause remains unknown. Losing my daughter so suddenly, and without answers, is a pain that I carry every day. 

Saniah’s golden smile, her fierce creativity, and her unwavering spirit continue to guide me. I am currently exploring the creation of a nonprofit in her honor, one that celebrates her values and supports the communities she loved. 

I chose to become an advocate with the American Society for Meningitis Prevention because I never want another family, especially in Black communities, to experience the confusion, fear, and devastation that mine did. Too often, symptoms are overlooked, risks are underestimated, and conversations about vaccines and prevention don’t reach the people who need them most. I feel called to speak openly about vaccination, vaccine hesitancy, and vaccine safety, and to help ensure families have the information and protection Saniah deserved. 

My family is deeply rooted in the Zeta Sorority, and community has always been central to who we are. Through advocacy, education, and outreach, I hope to shine a light on meningitis awareness and prevention, especially for underserved and historically overlooked communities. 

I carry Saniah’s memory in everything I do. She walked through life with purpose, and now it is my purpose to carry her light forward.