Her Story
About Tameka
I've dedicated the past 16 years to working with youth in the nonprofit sector, always focusing on creating safe, supportive environments where kids can thrive. My journey began in expanded learning programs, providing children with fun and productive activities after school, and I've worked extensively within local school districts training educators on social-emotional learning, which teaches kids how to control their emotions. In 2020, my business partner and I launched our own nonprofit, merging his expertise as a professional boxer with my background to create Impactful Emotional Teaching, a program that addresses both the mental and physical health needs of students across several school districts. My work extends beyond academics to supporting entire families through food distributions, diaper distributions, and holiday toy drives, because I understand that when people struggle, they need someone they can depend on with no judgment. I recently joined the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club and have been actively advocating in Sacramento for youth services, which has sparked my interest in potentially running for school board or city council to become a changemaker within my community through local laws and policies.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tameka
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think my success would come from the things that I've been through, the trials and tribulations that I faced early on in life. My kids, mainly, is why I've worked tirelessly, because I never wanted them to have to deal with the things that I dealt with or have to remember those struggles. When they became the age where they understood what's going on, all they saw was the positive, so that gave me the extra push to keep going. I also come from a very loving and supportive family, so I've always had a village behind me, rooting me, cheering me on, and that gave me the strength to just keep going. I've always led by example because I've always worked with youth, and I understood the power that comes with being a mentor to young kids who are watching you maneuver through life. I definitely wanted them to know that when life throws you curveballs, you keep going, because the outcome is not always what people make it seem, it's what you make it.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
To stand strong. To have a circle of women around that are like-minded, that are willing to encourage you, but also to have self-belief. I am a woman that has been through so much and haven't always been proud of myself, but as of recent, I've learned through teaching the kids that everything I've accomplished, I should celebrate. I'm young, I have 3 kids, I'm a single mom, and everything that I did, I did with my kids in the forefront. I didn't always have the most supportive people around me, but I've found my group of women that were encouraging, so that always helps, and to never give up. There were times where I wanted to, and I just kept pushing through, and it was so, so, so worth it.
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