BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
My name is Tamera Smith and I have worked at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center and the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. I graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and attended Kellogg Community College. I volunteered and participated with the Zoo Boo from 2003 until 2008, the Adopt A Family program from 2001 until 2018, hosted the Food Bank Sculpture at Lakeview Square mall in 2008 and 2009 – winning People’s Choice award both years. I volunteered and actively participated on the Voluntary Protect Program Safety Committee and the Blitz Safety education team. I enjoy eating, traveling, playing Bingo, spending time with family and friends and helping others.
I work for the Defense Information Logistics Services as a lead program analyst data technician – currently working in North Atlantic Treaty Organization and have worked in Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps branches since I joined the team.
My duties consist of supporting the Warfighter by researching and finding items from a ballistic jacket to a king size bed, assigning a National Stock Number. I have led a team of 20 logistic data technicians in the NATO Division – and I’m currently leading 5 technicians assuring workloads operate fluently while utilizing a first in-first out process and assuring all processing guidelines are followed.
I truly love the fact that I am supporting the Warfighter which have always included my family members as my granddad was a retired Army guy, my dad was retired Navy, and I currently have family members enlisted in the Navy and Army. I feel as if I’m still providing family support. The best piece of advice I have ever received is two-fold. Mary Morris – a DLIS senior technician and first trainer – taught me to “read the whole print”, which in her terms meant, “look at the whole picture”. This was not just advice about my work, but in her wisdom, she knew this worked in life. I love her still. To know her is to love her, another fine thing I loved about working here at HDIFC.
When I hear Black History month, I think of how far our race has come – we elected a black President and a Female Black Vice-President – and yet how things still look the same. Fair housing, fair jobs and most of all a fair judicial system for our young black brothers and sisters.
Equality - This means me not having to call my best friend Sherri to bid on a house because of the color of my or her skin and the neighborhood the house is located in. Diversity - This means me not being labeled as LGBQT because I have lesbian and gay friends or if I choose to wear a colorful shirt to support their cause. Inclusion - This means me not having to explain to my bi-racial grandchildren, why the world considers them black, and their other grandmother is white.
I was born in Battle Creek Michigan, but raised in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee. I guess you would ask how is this possible? My parents are from Tennessee and my dad took work here at the Veterans Affairs office, but every year whenever school ended, we were like the Beverly Hillbillies only we were going south not to California. This is where I learned about farming, gardening and cooking. My family is artistic, so we dance and sing, I have several relatives that play instruments such as guitars, banjo drums, the saxophone and piano. I play the flute, clarinet and piano as well. My sisters are a designer, seamstress, beautician, and nail technician. I would say our heritage is fine arts, good food and family fun. Our family is very close.
To never go back, we must remember where we came from. We must never forget the fight and lives that were sacrificed so that Blacks could be heard not just seen. We must always remember our heritage and pass our legacy on to our children. We must always remember that we have great people who paved the path for us to be part of the culture we are.
My biggest influencer is my mother. A strong black, God fearing woman raising 12 children, working an 8-hour job and providing for a husband. She taught me about time, people, and most of all how to love. Remember she was raised in the South during a time when things were extremely tough, yet she loved everyone. She taught me that with a good education I could be anyone I wanted to be.
My first job was at Sugar and Spice Day Care enter. This day care was owned and operated by a prominent black woman here in Battle Creek named Maude Bristol who later became the mayor of this city. She employed me first as a volunteer because I was eager to work but not of legal age to be employed, but as soon as I turned 14 Mrs. Bristol took me to the Willard Library and helped me obtain a workers permit so that I could be paid for my work. I have been actively employed ever since. Some of the best memories I have working here are the potlucks and retirement parties. I’ve met quite a few friends along the way as well.
My favorite quote is from Maya Angelou, “When someone tells you who they are…believe them the first time.”