Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Shana T. Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Dr. Shana T., so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
In 2022, I found myself in a space of burnout, mental, physical, and emotion fatigue. I was unable to shake what I was feeling and knew that I was depressed and needed to make some changes if I stood a chance at bouncing back and thriving in the ways in which I desired. These feelings stemmed from working as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Director during that time, but in the field for over ten years. I was a department of one, with little resources, charged with implementing DEI across the entire organization. Simultaneously, I was supporting a partner through mental health challenges, which ultimately brought an end to a 15-year relationship. I was depleted and had nothing left to give in my personal and professional world. I needed a break from everything, but taking a pause or a break was something that I had never done. I didn’t know what it meant to rest and regroup but this time I was forced to do so. I resigned from my full-time DEI role and decided to live off of my savings for a while to take care of me and give to myself what I had been pouring into others over the years. I didn’t have much of a plan, but I trusted myself fully to figure things out one day at a time. During this time, I did a lot of self-discovery, praying, journaling, meditating, and resting. I needed all of these things more than I knew. It freed up my mind and brought clarity around those things that were most important to me. As a single woman, now responsible for 100% of the finances in my home; quitting a salaried position was not ideal, but I chose me. I chose me for the first time in life. It was a risk, but I knew that I would be okay and began to see and truly understand my source. Interestingly enough, I was able to tap into my creative side and began working as a print/commercial model and actor, branching out and tapping into something completely opposite of what my professional and education journeys had been. This gave me life and an energy that I had been missing for quite some time. While it hurts that it took me to practically fall apart to choose myself, I am so very grateful that I did.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am Chicago born and raised from the Englewood Community. My lived experiences continue to shape my professional work and how I choose to navigate the world. Being a first-generation college student that chose to pursue the highest level of education, I find myself equipped with the tools that I need to embrace life, no matter what comes my way. I am often asked what it is that I would like to do with my Doctor of Education and while I know that this question comes with good intentions, I would like to think that it is sufficient that I told the stories of Black Women in Higher Education and their Navigation of Wellness; that I listened and learned about the challenges that they face with supporting students and taking care of themselves. When I chose to obtain my Doctorate, I was not seeking a pot of Gold at the end, rather the pure gratification in making Black women feel seen, heard and valued in all that they do and navigate. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have been my focus areas professionally for over 15 years. I started my career in mediation services as a Case Manager and later Director of Foreclosure Mediation, Cook County Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program at the Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR). I then took my first University level role in Menomonie, Wisconsin, fresh out of completing my Master of Arts in Organization and Multicultural Commnication. I received an offer to work with the Office of Multicultural Student Services and ASPIRE Student Support Services with the University of Wisconsin-Stout. This was an exciting time for me to utilize my degree and gain experience in the areas that I wished to pursue. Little did I know that I would be moving into a community that did not want me there. My neighbors would rush into their apartments when they saw me or heard my door opening. No one would speak to me, even when spoken to and to top it off, the students that I supported were experiencing racial attacks and trying to decide whether or not to stay or leave. Needless to say, this was not a healthy or safe environment for me. I knew that the work was important, but that it could be done in spaces in which my life did not feel threatened. In 6-months, I moved back home to Chicago and continued to work in education, specific to DEI. While I already had purpose, my experiences supported my WHY. I am currently working as a DEI Consultant and Contractor. My work focuses on leading organizations (non-profit and higher education settings) through equitable systems change processes by assessing the DEI needs of organizations, administering Intercultural Development Inventories (IDI) to staff and board members, developing and facilitating workshops, and leadership and board development. As a contractor, I work primarily with organizations that support Black and Brown communities. At present, I work to support their short- and long-term career goals. This involves social emotional learning facilitation and ongoing mentorship. I want more of my community to see professionals who look like them and understand the barriers and challenges that they face. This work feeds me and gives me hope in a world that can often present concern. When I am not wearing an educator hat, I am tapping into my creator side as an actor, and commercial/print model. Creative expression is important, and I have found it to be a lifeline in my personal and professional worlds.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Being willing to be uncomfortable and the only one continues to be an integral part of my journey. So much growth comes from discomfort and being in spaces in which I am “The only one”. Growth is hard and can’t happen in a shell and the coziest of circumstances. Taking risks and understanding that your voice matters even if you are the only one with that viewpoint will support the ability to advocate for yourself, which is needed in both personal and professional settings.
Having confidence in yourself and abilities comes with experience and lifelong learning. People can see and feel confidence and you will find that when you believe in what you are sharing, others will as well.
Not seeing “No” as a rejection or failure will only aid in your ability to keep going and stay consistent. No does not mean that you aren’t qualified, good enough, worthy…it simply means that opportunity was not for you. It is easy to become discouraged and throw in the towel after so many Nos, but I always say, if you quit, you will never know what could have been for you. I want ALL that is for me, so for this reason, I will always keep going because I know that if I don’t, I miss out.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Reaching a level of peace around everything in my life has been a significant area of growth for me. It took some time for me to let go of things that I have no control of, and stay present and focused on those things that I can control. This peace that I am experiencing is new and at times intriguing, but feels really good to my mind, body and soul. We can often get caught up in the hard parts of life, what we don’t have, what someone did to us, how someone made us feel, the apologies we are owed, etc., that we forget to tap into all that we do have, family, friends, community, the impacts that we have made in others’ lives, the beauty of simply being alive. It is a blessing to wake up each morning with an opportunity to try again.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: shae_tanea
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanatjones/
Image Credits
Chicago Foundation for Women
Vagabond School of Arts
Lumity
Ferrara
The Barkers
Nuru Kimondo
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
