Inside 16th & L is our bi-weekly blog series showcasing the Independent Sector team here at the corner of 16th and L Streets in Washington, DC. Find out who we are, where we’re from, what we do, and what drives us. This week, Inside 16th & L introduces Tamieka Briscoe, our associate.
Tamieka’s role in her own words
I’m a new associate, and right now, I’m working on a lot of conference content, as well as a lot of other writing for our different blogs.
Hometown and alma mater
My hometown is Washington, DC. I was born at George Washington University Hospital—right down the street from IS! I grew up in Southeast DC, and we eventually moved to Prince George’s County, Maryland. I went to undergrad at Bowie State and University of Maryland for grad school.
Tamieka is a…
• Mom of two
• Writer
• 80s enthusiast
How did you end up in your current role at IS? What were you doing before?
I moved to LA three years ago, and while there, did a number of things, but the biggest opportunity—and what I did the longest—was creative consulting for network television. So I would look at their programming, help them pitch new shows—or even if there wasn’t a new show that was being considered, I’d look for ways to revamp existing programming, and offer creative direction there. I decided that it was time for a change—and wanted to go back home and try my luck in DC, because after grad school, I didn’t even apply for any jobs here and just went straight to LA.
Coming back, I wanted to work specifically in the nonprofit field because—especially coming from the entertainment industry—I started to feel more empty and shallow in terms of what my values were, and what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to make sure I was helping people, so that made me start thinking about some of the really cool nonprofits—especially in DC. So I was really fortunate to find an opportunity at IS—and even though initially, it was part-time, from the interview, I was just sold on the kind of work. It was also important to me to do what I feel like I’m good at and want to do—which is write.
Something interesting from my time doing creative consulting is that the skills are transferrable. I think more about trends—things like social media and others that I had never even considered. Especially with the new direction of television and film, they’re leaning less toward established actresses and actors, and going with who has a larger following. And that can actually spill into this kind of work when we’re looking for speakers and influencers.
What’s one thing that would surprise people about you?
Even people who are closest to me would probably look me in the face and deny it, but I am a very shy person. I’m social, but even in that—with networking events and stuff—some days, I go and I’m the life of the party, but other times, I’ll get my plate and go quietly sit in the corner. There’s no rhyme or reason to it—I’m a very shy, introverted person. However, there’s one thing that defies it. I cannot sing very well, but when it comes to karaoke, you cannot stop me! I’m the first to step up to the front, and I always grab a stack of cards!
If you could be the CEO of any nonprofit, what would it be?
There are so many, and I couldn’t single out just one that’s already widely known, so it would have to be one that I start. I’m really passionate about kids in those adolescent years leading up to adulthood. So you know, there is No Child Left Behind and so many different initiatives in schools, but a lot of kids are still failing and falling behind. And it seems, with a lot of things I’ve seen, that they want to intervene early—like in the elementary years. But I feel like kids who are between 13 and 17 need the most attention. So some kind of intervention to help them that—first of all—identifies what’s going on with them. Is it psychological? Is it something going on at home? Then gives them an individualized plan. Something to help them get on track, get to college; and if college isn’t for them, help them identify a career path. Because the lack of education that leads to homelessness, and the drugs, and the crime—I feel like this kind of intervention is something that could give them another path.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever witnessed? Where were you and when did it happen?
The first thing that came to mind was cool, and also very inspiring. So one day, I don’t remember what was going on with my car, but I ended up on the bus—my car must’ve been in the shop or something. I was headed home, and the bus kind of stopped at a light, and coming across an intersection, a young man—he couldn’t have been older than 30. And in my mind, I’m a writer, so I’m immediately thinking he had to have come to LA to be an actor because he was handsome, and just looked very athletic—and something just didn’t work out for him. And in LA, there’s so much homelessness. Anywhere you go, any neighborhood, there are tent communities in random areas. And not too far from where I lived, there was one of them. He was coming from there, riding a bike while also pulling a shopping cart. This was a year and half ago, and I still see it clear as day: Just the intensity and determination in his face as he was balancing himself on a bike, and the shopping cart was filled with all his belongings. That moment kind humbled me to not complain about my situation—like I was stressed about having to ride the bus, but at least I had a car. And even if I didn’t have a car, I was going to a home. This man had—from what I could tell—way less than I did. And he was making the best of it and looked determined. Whenever I think back, it just inspires me to be grateful, and also, just to keep pushing and do the best with what I do have.
Guilty pleasure
Binge-watching romantic comedies. They can be new. They can be old. I can re-watch the same ones over and over. It doesn’t matter. Just that genre—I like to cry at the end of the movie, even if I’ve already seen it.
Oh, and a bonus guilty pleasure: Food Network.
Favorite teams
Woo! Pittsburgh Steelers only!
