We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tennille Thomas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tennille, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Resilience the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
Coming from modest beginnings in a society of royals teaches you to keep going and to prove your worth at all costs. My mother is a strong woman with southern values, she raised us in a home where giving up was never an option. No matter what obstacle I faced she taught me to never give up and be flexible when dealing with unexpected outcomes. This made me a wiz at making life look easy in spite of its many hardships. I thank goodness and mercy for my. resilience as it has proven quite useful in my current battle against Breast Cancer. For what many see as a death sentence for most I approached with optimism and faith.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Who I Am
Tennille Thomas is a TV Show Host, producer, business owner, and advocate for change hailing from Dallas and currently based in Houston, she has held seats on several non-for-profit boards and makes it a mission to encourage and support business endeavors all over Houston through her TV Show, “I’m Just Saying Live”.
Tennille Thomas was honored by Mayor Sylvester Turner for her work and tireless commitment to AUA and our community. The City of Houston commends Tennille Thomas and officially proclaimed April, 15th, as Tennille Thomas Day.
Tennille’s willingness to help has pushed her to join organizations like 5th Ward Go Neighborhoods and her support of small business and relief initiatives is unmatched.
She has been a small business owner here in Houston since 2009 and knows the work it takes to be successful.
The Houston area is wonderfully enriched by its most vital resource – inspired individuals who serve in all sections. Through committed professionals and creatives who display leadership and skills, businesses, organizations, and, communities alike benefit from outstanding drive and work ethic.
My most challenging yet rewarding work comes into play with serving as Founder of Annual Underwear Affair, where we have vowed to help every student in crisis have a happier healthier return to school with 7 pair of fresh clean undies. It’s hard to imagine the mental stress relief, and increase of life-long success that comes from providing this basic need.
Our business is a nonprofit (Annual Underwear Affair Inc.), so everything we do is done with expanding our social impact in mind. In particular, we help prepare young people to fulfill their role as citizens. For us being a citizen is about more than being responsible for yourself, it means being engaged in solving the problems that impact your community. We have one particular event that I’d love for you and your tribe to participate in. Our first annual Undie 1K. We look forward to your family participation in giving back to the communities that made us great. Let’s make our efforts count for a lifetime. I am really excited to announce our very first Undie 1k, Family Fun Run.
The Undie 1K by AUA- Underwear Run will take place on Saturday April, 13th 2024 at 10:30am. This event will serve as our scholarship fundraiser. The total distance of the run will be less than 1 mile and it will be a leisurely pace so please feel free to join us regardless of your ability level. It is called an “Underwear Run” but underwear only is not a requirement. You can run in your underwear, bathing suit, a silly costume, PJ’s…whatever you like! It is a light-hearted event meant to put a little hilarity in charity.
The run will be $45 to attend but all proceeds will be for a good cause. We will also be collecting donations on sight and encourage you to bring your kids out for the fun. ( Groups of 5 or more receive a discounted rate) Some staff from AUA will be on hand for the run to collect any donations, explain their mission and provide some post run refreshments and to cheer. We will be accepting cash or check donations at the event or you can visit the website below and make a donation as well. I look forward to seeing so many of you there!
https://gofund.me/8b00126b
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Resilience Raising Awareness/ Story Telling
Willingness to learn
These are the quality, skill, and area of knowledge that proved to be most impactful in my journey. I am so proud to be resilient even though it is commonly derived from strife. In TV/Radio being an amazing story teller is key. Through my willingness to learn I realized just how important story telling is to the nonprofit realm. If you are unable to get people to believe or see why your cause is detrimental you will never render the support needed to survive.
My advice to anyone looking to better themselves is to learn what qualities make your endeavor work. Next, make a conscious effort to enhance your skill in that area, and be patient enough to see things through while building a team that excels where you fall short. Lastly, if you believe in it, it matters!
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Socks and underwear are more than just clothing; they’re lifelines of dignity.
Our Founder, Tennille Thomas, says it best: “Just Like Undies our program does so much more than meets the eye”.
I would love to connect with individuals who are fun loving, creative and interested in solving this growing issue. It helps to be associated with organizations involved daily with youth, but is not a necessity.
There are very few organizations that do what we do so it would be great for the largest one I know, UFE (Undies For Everyone), to mentor my team. UFE is a major organization that serves communities nationwide. UFE has the connections and support to impact lives on a major scale. With an interactive mentorship AUA would grow to a self-sustaining organization that could help just as many people. This partnership would help AUA reach its full potential.
Here is the spill we use.
We Need You.
Are you passionate about instilling leadership skills in children?
Are you interested in working to create generational knowledge and
wealth in your local community?
Do you believe you can make a difference with your time and effort?
Do you have any experience in social media?
We are looking for YOU!!
We are currently searching for sponsors, board members, committee
members and volunteers to help us carry our mission, vision, and
programs into the next chapter.
Check out our events page for our volunteer opportunities and let us
know how you would like to participate.
If you are interested in a more committed contribution to AUA and
have value to add to our organization, please consider our
committee member and board member positions,
We are ALWAYS looking to add VALUE to our cause, mission, and
organization.
Visit www.auacharity.com today to connect and or become part of the team.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.auacharity.com
- Instagram: @auacharity.com
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tennille-thomas-70a8232a2
- Other: https://gofund.me/8b00126b
Image Credits
Andre Kelly
