We were lucky to catch up with Tanzania Fair recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Tanzania thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
The biggest risk that I took was leaving my hometown to pursue an internship in another state. My last year in college at Michigan State University, I knew I had to make a very important life decision when I walked across that stage. It was either go back home to live with my mother and try to find a job or pursue an internship in Washington, DC with all expenses covered. I’ve never been to Washington, DC and didn’t even know it was the state capitol. I worked with my college advisor and the program coordinator of the internship program to apply for the opportunity. At 22 years old, I left everything I knew to build a new life for myself in a thriving city.
I remember getting my last refund check to buy my first batch of dress clothes for work. I had to drive to Washington, DC because it was cheaper and I couldn’t afford a plane ticket. I pulled up in Rosslyn, Virginia which is where all the interns were housed in apartment style rooms. I was so amazed by everything that I saw. For the first time, I saw thousands of people daily, walking to the train station to get to work. Everyone had on fancy suits or work attire. You can tell that they had really good jobs. I was only used to seeing deserted neighborhoods, missing houses, boarded up and burned down buildings in my community with no street lights.
By the first week during my internship, I could see myself staying and starting my career in Washington, DC. My internship led to another opportunity to join Americorps Public Allies DC which was a 10 month apprenticeship. I was able to network and meet so many people who were willing to help me along my journey. After the AmeriCorps program, I landed my first career job working at a youth serving organization in DC. I started my own nonprofit called H.Y.P.E-Helping Young People Evolve which I received multiple grant funding and an award for the work I’ve done in the community. I’ve been living in the DC area for 13 years now. I have no family who lives here but I’ve built close friends who turned into my family. My journey wasn’t perfect but if I had not taken the risk, I wouldn’t be where I am today impacting thousands of lives all over the world.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am most proud of the transformational experiences that have changed my clients and mentees’ lives all over the world. I provide a “safe space” that allows them to open up, process, release, and learn all in the same session. I remember when my voice was silenced at a young age and I had to unlock my voice and the mental thoughts that were keeping me stuck. Now, I am able to ensure that people feel seen, heard, supported, and celebrated. I receive so many calls, messages and emails about how much I’ve changed people’s lives and for me that’s what makes my heart full.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
In 2011, I was wrapping up my internship in Washington, DC and starting AmeriCorps Public Allies DC at the same time. My supervisor at my internship was very helpful and really believed in me. She was the one that helped me to secure an interview with AmeriCorps. I kept explaining to her that I didn’t have any family and I don’t know where I would stay if I accepted the opportunity. She paid my phone bill a few times and also offered for me to stay at her place until I figured out my housing situation. I was unsure but I trusted her. I ended up packing all my things and taking them to her place where she stayed with other roommates. I was battling a really bad headache and dealing with anxiety because I didn’t have any money, my check wouldn’t be available until a few weeks, and I still had to figure things out on my own. At the time, I didn’t have any friends to call and stay with and plus I had no family in Washington, DC.
On the 7th day of me staying at her place, she said “Tanzania, you have to be out by tomorrow. I told my roommates you were staying for one week”. At that moment, I was so stuck because she really told me for a few weeks. I am thinking about where I’m going to go tomorrow. I wanted to cry but I had to just trust that God would help me figure it out.
So, the next day I started the AmeriCorps Public Allies DC program. I was placed at a partner organization called “Fair Chance”. It was only my second day at the job. I was leaving work one day and I was heading into an elevator with one of my female co-workers. She asked me, “How are you doing”? The first response that people would say is that they are doing good even though they may not be. I was like “I’m not going okay”. I was staying with a former supervisor and she said that I had to be out by today and I don’t have anywhere to go. She responded “You can come stay with me. Where are you staying”? I said “I’m staying in Rhode Island”. She said “Okay after my meeting I can come get you and your stuff tonight”.
That night, she came to get me and my stuff to take me to her house. The same day I had to leave is the same day God blessed me with somewhere to stay. The next day, she gave me a key to her home and said that I can ride to work with her on the days she goes into the office. My travel cost was about $15.00 a day. I had to catch a bus to the train station then walk to the office. My commute was about 2 hours every day.
I slept on a blue mat for about 2-3 months. She didn’t have any furniture yet because it was just her staying there. My back used to hurt, the location was further from my job, my checks weren’t rolling in yet, my phone got cut off, barely had food to eat but I was just grateful that I had somewhere to lay my head. One night, I cried so hard because it felt like everything was going against me and all I wanted to do was to be successful. I prayed and asked God to take the weight off my shoulders and he did. I eventually started to get paid and was able to rent a room on my own. I had to press through and trust the process. Everything started to look up for me and I am thankful that I had someone in my corner to help me. This experience is the true definition of resilience.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.unlocknyourfreedom.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/iamqueentanz?igshid=YzA2ZDJiZGQ=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064041402504
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanzania-fair-8728b540/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCvanEo01fOTxQF5nX7Dslug