We met Tedra when she served as the Executive Director of the Clean Air Campaign. Since that time, she’s become a dear friend. Now, she serves Georgia State University students as the Director of Business Partnership Development at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. She has inspired us for many years — we hope you feel a dose of her warm, generous spirit below!
J. Mack Robinson College of Business – Georgia State University
Why do you do what you do?
I love that I can bring new relationships to the university for our students as they are beginning to develop their own professional networks. What a great feeling at the end of the day to know that you may have helped open a door or provided an opportunity to a student that could not only change the trajectory of their lives but also those of their family for generations to come.
What would you want others to know about your work?
Two fun facts:
1) Georgia State University confers more bachelor’s degrees to black students than any other nonprofit university in the nation.
2) GSU also graduates every demographic of student, no matter their race, gender or socioeconomic status, at the same success rate! They are definitely moving the needle on income inequality.
Who are the women you look up to?
I had the privilege of helping found a nonprofit, The Drake House, that provides housing and education programs for homeless single mothers and their minor children. These women, often through no fault of their own, have found themselves juggling multiple jobs among a myriad of obstacles while trying to provide for their children. The women who are able to build a new future for themselves and their children through the hard work that this nonprofit helps guide them through are such sources of inspiration. It is a special kind of resolve to do great things in spite of overwhelming challenges. They are who I look up to.
What is your biggest piece of advice for young women today?
Always be well-prepared. You never know when your chance to shine will appear or when you will be called on. Know as much as possible about every person in the room and the subject matter before you ever show up. Be able to be conversant on a wide variety of subjects so you can connect with everyone in some way.
Thank you, Tedra!
