Conversations with Tamara Kersey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Kersey

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I can’t talk about my background without first acknowledging that I am the daughter of an immigrant. My mom was not prepared for the racism she’d face in America. She was also not prepared for the cultural racism and rejection from Black Americans. The cultural differences of a West Indian were surprisingly not widely accepted by her community when my mother first came to the United States.

In grade school, my mom sent my sister and I to live in Barbados to learn our culture and that lens shaped me in ways that are still deeply embedded in who I am today.
My mom was born in 1938 and married an American. In the 1980s, she sent her American-born children to the country of her birth to be raised by her family, while she returned to the U.S. As a child, I didn’t understand it but as I grew up, I realized the moxie and determination she had to have to make such a bold move to ensure her children embraced their culture and identity.

The experiences and memories with my maternal family, the cultural lessons, the history of the island, the exposure to a British education and lifestyle made an indelible mark on my life.

My mom was a huge advocate of community service. From a child, she’d drag us with her to what we call her missionary work: feeding others, visiting nursing homes, caring for the sick. She and fellow West Indians also started a Caribbean organization in Greensboro in the 1980s to support and advocate for immigrants coming to the U.S. from the islands.

Community service was ingrained in me at a young age. Due to this, I’m a co-founder of Alamance Pride, served on many boards of nonprofits, civil rights organizations (i.e., Democracy NC) and on the Alumni Association of UNC-G, to name a few. But in 2022, my community work changed.

At the time, I lived in Alamance County and the Sheriff had run uncontested for 12 years. This Sheriff had a federal lawsuit filed against him; findings had also cited the Sheriff and the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office with violations of human rights, racial profiling and discrimination.

I was invited to join the Sheriff’s opponent’s ”Kitchen Cabinet” as a trusted advisor, community and faith leader. I’d worked on campaigns before coordinating town halls, voter education, etc., but for this campaign, we were a small team and I was quickly ‘shoved’ out front (in a polite way) against my will. The candidate had never run for political office before but won 41% of the votes. Not bad for a first-time run.
Today, I give back by teaching part-time in the English Dept at the illustrious NC A&T State University.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In my career within STEM, I have often been in rooms where there was no regard for my opinion or expertise. When I first started in Tech, often I was the only female or person of color. Learning to use my presence and my voice took a lot of courage in order to be recognized as an equal contributor in my field.
In my other vocation, I am an ordained minister; another male-dominated field. I’ve suffered my share of abuse in that vocation and aim to write a book soon about the depths of patriarchy and abuse against females in leadership positions.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am bi-vocational so this is difficult because I am skilled in two distinct areas.
For my faith-based career, I am more of a social action/activist type.

Against my denominational beliefs, I marry same-gender people. During 2020’s pandemic, I was often participating in some type of rally or protest in a community where it was difficult to find another black female clergy person willing to step out and speak truth to power.
I would say I have been most known for my community work and I am proud to say, I am glad to not ‘color in the lines’

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Staying in places/situations too long where I was not appreciated nor respected.

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