Meet Tara Wallace

We recently connected with Tara Wallace and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tara, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I come from a long line of educators and professionals who were also the only one in the room who looked like them. At the very core of their existence was the understanding that they belonged regardless of any hidden agendas. They survived and thrived on air and opportunity. Because of this belief, they planted seeds to grow in the hearts and minds of their descendants to recognize that they too belonged wherever air and opportunity presented itself with their name attached.

As a descendant of these great individuals, I listened to the stories and learned their jukes and fakes so I could anticipate the challenges that come with being one of one while representing so many. Their wisdom made many experiences easy but not all of them. I too have lessons of bumps and bruises to pass on to those coming after me because, sadly, there are still far too many spaces where our representation is none or one.

Being effective and successful in those spaces is a matter of remembering who you are and why your presence is important. We were not created to occupy space, but to improve the space for more people like us. And we do by shining the light that brought us there in the first place.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My efforts as a social worker are based on everything I learned from the powerful women who came before me. They were the epitome of Black Girl Magic embodied in cocoa butter hugs. They empowered anyone who crossed their paths, even for a few minutes. They also emphasized the importance of not overstaying your welcome in the lives of those you serve. Doing so would dishonor the collective, life-changing work meant to be shared forward.

What makes the work I do special is the name under which it is performed. Lighthouse Therapeutic Community Outreach Foundation (Lighthouse TCO) is the non-profit organization I started during the pandemic to support the families of the clients I served. They received free services to help maintain the work being done with my clients.

Why Lighthouse? One of my mentors told me I have the spirit of a lighthouse. I thought she meant that I was a beacon for the hurting. She told me I guide people on their journey to wellness in whatever way is needed. Most people believe the relationship between lighthouses and ships is one way. Or that lighthouses control the relationship by warning ships. This is not so. The ship dictates the purpose and presence of the lighthouse. The lighthouse serves no purpose without the presence of a ship.

So, the Lighthouse must be:

Adaptable . . . to support the needs of the ships in the environment. Their design and lighting are specific to the environment, not the other way around. Lighthouse TCO Foundation does not allow the environment to dictate the level and quality of support provided to families.

Aware . . . built on cliffs, for example, to account for the curvature of the earth and higher light above the mean high water. This allows them to be seen further out in the water. Lighthouse TCO maintains a constant, physical community presence and avoids forcing clients to use valuable resources to access services.

Advancing . . . originally built to run by candles, then lanterns, and now electric lights. Most lighthouses are run by manned machines or remote. The pandemic forced some to revert backward because needs changed. Lighthouse TCO evolves as the logistical needs of families change to maintain continuity of service.

We are working on a partnership with the Topeka Public School District to address the emotional and mental health needs of its virtual students. Despite our state being ranked 50th and 51st in the nation for demand and lack of access to services, getting what the community needs (from a person first perspective) continues to be challenging.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Two qualities that have benefitted me throughout life and my career are persistence and vision. When faced with challenges, I have learned to step back and look at things from a different perspective and then reapproach with the same end goal in mind. These qualities have allowed me, as a visual learner, to see deeper solutions than originally considered. Another quality is my thirst for knowledge. I have always questioned for the sake of understanding or challenging the status quo. Challenging the status quo is not always well received but I realize life would be boring if everyone went along for the sake of going along.

To the individual just getting started, I recommend they explore their passions to avoid trapping themselves in work that does not feed their zest for life and all that it has to offer. Roadblocks are intended to deter the persistent. Visionaries use roadblocks as stepping stones to their end goal. How to use those roadblocks requires continued learning on their part.

For example, Lighthouse TCO Foundation chose to expand a program to reach the mental health needs of underserved youth. A grant application to partner with organizations in the targeted areas was rejected. I challenged the rejection based on having met all the requirements for funding to no avail. Rather than canceling the programs, I created an Amazon birthday wish list and requested support from family and friends on social media. Friends I have yet to meet in person supported the programs. That grant application served as the foundation for larger grant opportunities. Another stepping stone was, Lighthouse TCO Foundation was promoted to a larger audience for the work being done in our community with children and families. When the purpose is fulfilled, consider it a win.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I believe it is better to be balanced. Do both! Our strengths serve a purpose when channeled in the right direction. There comes a time when those strengths touch other areas that we may organically begin working to improve. This represents change and growth. When we stop growing, we lose sight of our purpose on this earth and our passion for existing.

Early in my social work education, I decided to do therapy sitting in an office and nothing else. An issue experienced by one of my clients led to research and advocacy work. Those efforts led to success and the desire to help more clients using these skills, board service, and committee chairmanship. Ten years later, I was invited to attend the 2024 National Association of Social Work conference in Washington, D.C. (a first for me — at their expense). This invitation led to networking with professionals from across the country, and invitations to present at 3 additional conferences. I have a private practice and a non-profit organization. I obtained a doctorate and will soon write a textbook with my dissertation chair. If I had stuck to sitting in an office, I would have neglected my gifts (and weaknesses) and sat down on the responsibility of impacting the world.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector (yoga photo)
Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector

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