Tamika D. Mallory Event Makes an Impact on Local Audience
The Utica City School District System of Care (UCSD) team has consistently created powerful events for the students in our city, ranging from mindfulness and art to hard hitting discussions and powerful speakers on topics that are relevant and important to all students.
“Empowered Voices” with Tamika D. Mallory was no different.
UCSD, MVCC Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) and SNUG Utica teamed up to bring Tamika to Utica to deliver a talk embedded in empowerment, personal story and struggle, and a journey that has culminated into a national fight for freedom.
On Saturday, February 8, Tamika spoke with an audience of students, staff and community leaders on the Utica campus of Mohawk Valley Community College.
She is an internationally known social justice activist, a co-founder of Until Freedom and of the Women’s March, and a two-time author. Her delivery was direct. Her experiences were felt in the room as she spoke. Her story is raw and she does not hold back, in order to spread a message of self awareness, intentional care for mental health and persistence in the face of adversity. She does the difficult work of fighting for justice and guides others through the challenges, pitfalls and rewards of the work as well.
Tamika shared that she was proudly raised in Black empowerment spaces and after the tragedy of her son’s father’s death, she began researching and looking at the news very differently. That what the catalyst for her work – work stemmed from tragedy that is bringing money and awareness into communities still today.
Tamika also addressed the effects of trauma. “Trauma can hold you hostage. The pain can’t be seen because we can ‘fix it up’ with make up and smiles, but it is always there underneath.” She bravely shared her story of slipping into addiction and her subsequent rehabilitation. She acknowledged that she was “trying to kill myself without knowing it”. This was a chapter of her story she kept private until she shared it on The Breakfast Club for the first time – a popular radio show hosted by her friend and publisher of her new book, Charlamagne.
"Tamika's presence and message were truly powerful. Her words carried depth and purpose, and I hope they resonated with everyone in the building. There was something for everyone in her message--a reminder, an affirmation, or a call to action. I felt honored to share the stage with her and grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with MVCC STEP and SNUG in bringing such an influential force to Utica, NY. Here’s to bridging more gaps, planting more seeds, and empowering our future leaders."
– Jesenia Wright, LMSW, ICAN’s Director of School Based Mental Health
Today, Tamika is thriving. And because of the journey, she is more aware of her mental status and gives it the deserved attention it needs.
Tamika did a reading from chapter three of her new book, “I Survived to Tell the Story” – a chapter aptly titled “Fight the Power”. Participants at the event received an advanced copy three days before its release and enjoyed an autograph signing and photo op session after her talk.
The lesson she left behind with the audience, brimming with youth, young professionals AND adults, is “Find that thing!” Figure out what your passion is, really and truly. Find the thing that, even if you’re not getting paid and even if the lights were turned off, you would STILL do the work. The thing that you can always say, “I’m still going to be there!” for no matter what.
“The guys stated the participants were really interested in her story and wouldn’t mind attending another event with her.” shared Shannon Patterson, the Program Manager for SNUG Utica. “This is a part of our ‘change their norm’ initiative! The youth we work with aren’t used to these types of events and we’re so very proud of the four who showed up. It gave us good topics to discuss afterward and a powerful message that will stay with them always.”
Tamika instilled in listeners to stay strong and stay committed. Also, find other people to help you.
Community is the best way - collaboration can take the load off of you AND it’s 100% OK to work with people who look different than you. And maybe most importantly, tap into your joy. Joy is the center of your resistance!
What’s next for Tamika? “Who knows! God has carried me from one thing to the next and the biggest realization is that THERE IS A NEXT! Fighting for justice got me here. I will die fighting for freedom. But this time, freedom unleashes ME from the bondage inside my head. Freedom for me is FIRST this time!”
