With a deep-rooted passion for education equity and an impressive track record spanning nearly fifteen years, Tamira Samuel assumes the esteemed role of Co-Executive Director at ULF, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career. Her unwavering commitment to transforming educational landscapes and her extensive experience in both education and public policy have earned her recognition as a trailblazer in the field.
Tamira’s journey toward educational excellence began in the classroom, where she quickly established herself as an award-winning teacher in the Clarksville Montgomery County School System in Tennessee. This early success served as a catalyst for her subsequent ventures, propelling her towards influential positions in various organizations dedicated to fostering educational growth.
Throughout her career, Tamira has held pivotal roles as a Regional Director and Fellow at ULF, solidifying her understanding of the organization’s mission and the intricacies of driving impactful change. Furthermore, her leadership and capacity-building expertise have been sought after by prestigious institutions such as Teach For America, Texas Public Charter Schools Association, Education Pioneers, Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County, The Beacon Center of Tennessee, YES Prep, KIPP Texas, and Houston ISD.
Empowering Change Agents
The Urban Leaders Fellowship (ULF) is a program that aims to develop professionals from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their ideologies, affiliations, or industries, in the field of public policy. Participants are paired with local or state elected/appointed officials, with the goal of enacting policy changes within a two-year timeframe. ULF operates in ten cities across the United States: Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Nashville, New Orleans, Tulsa, Oakland, and Washington, DC.
ULF recognizes that creating more equitable communities requires the inclusion of voices and perspectives from all citizens who are willing to join its program each summer. Over the past decade, ULF has welcomed a wide range of professionals, including teachers, attorneys, underwriters, public relations analysts, medical students, anthropologists, architects, entrepreneurs, and many others, who have successfully completed its fellowship. Together, they have contributed to the development and passage of over 120 policies.
To fulfill its mission, ULF offers three distinct services. Firstly, ULF provides professional development and training in policy writing for early to mid-career professionals who are interested in making an impact in the field. Participants have the opportunity to work alongside local or state officials, gaining hands-on experience and knowledge.
Secondly, ULF offers short-term consulting services to non-profit organizations, start-ups, and charter management organizations. These organizations can benefit from the expertise and capacity-building provided by its fellows.
Lastly, ULF supports local and state elected officials by providing them with policy advisor teams. These teams assist in researching, analyzing, writing, and proposing policies and legislation that can be implemented within a two-year timeframe.
By offering these services, ULF strives to empower individuals, organizations, and policymakers in their pursuit of positive change and the creation of more equitable and just communities.
A Journey of Impact
After graduating from Austin Peay State University, Tamira embarked on a fulfilling career as a high school English teacher. This calling continues to shape her life as she balances her roles as a wife, mother, and non-profit leader. The experience of being a teacher has taught her invaluable qualities such as empathy, compassion, and patience, which can only be truly understood through connecting with the lives and stories of young individuals navigating their own paths.
During her teaching years, Tamira realized that many factors influencing her students’ lives, both internally and externally, were beyond her control. After three years in the classroom, she decided to explore a different avenue and was accepted into Northwestern University for Public Policy and Administration. This opportunity led her to internships with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and the Beacon Center of Tennessee. These experiences provided her with a deeper understanding of the issues and influences impacting children and their families, both within and beyond the classroom.
Working in Nashville Metro Government, Tamira confronted the harsh realities of domestic violence and witnessed how many children of survivors end up without stable homes. Her time at the Beacon Center exposed her to concepts like charter schools, school choice, and the growing tension between traditional public and charter public schools across the nation.
Realizing the need to comprehend different educational settings and their impact on policy, Tamira decided to expand her horizons. She had already become a trained lobbyist on Capitol Hill and represented the United States at the World Youth Congress in Canada, where she recognized that struggles faced in the U.S. were shared by countries like Uganda and Argentina.
In 2012, Tamira’s network of leaders began to shape, prompting her move to Texas to join KIPP: Houston. Over the next 7-8 years, she immersed herself in various roles within the education and policy sectors. In 2020, when the then Co-Executive Director of ULF announced her departure, Tamira was approached with the opportunity to lead the organization into the next decade. Guided by prayer, support from loved ones, and her faith, she applied for the position and, as they say, the rest is history.
Leadership as Service
Tamira holds an optimistic view of leadership and recognizes the importance of studying and cultivating impactful leadership; which is different from the approach taken 50 years ago. Tamira was fortunate to be raised and supported (alongside her mother, Bonita) by her maternal grandmother, Celester Cole, a widower with 13 children; was a seamstress and active church member. Celester taught Tamira how to always be in service to others and not of herself. Celester’s home was always frequented by sewing customers, pastors, deacons, other business owners, and community leaders. Tamira would help her grandmother by giving all guests sweet tea, collard greens, and vegetables from her grandmother’s well-tended garden of 30 plus years. By focusing on leadership as a form of service and understanding the diverse dynamics individuals bring to their organizations, we can enhance productivity and foster an environment where people feel empowered to be authentic, work collaboratively, serve others, and strive for excellence.
At present, ULF is taking a pause in expanding its services globally. The organization is currently in the process of determining its role in the global policy landscape and how it can equip its fellows, partners, and officials to effectively address global challenges within its existing model.
A Resilient Business Leader
As a business leader, Tamira has encountered numerous challenges, including crisis management, industry shifts, people management, and projection issues. Throughout her career, she has often found herself leading through times of trauma, tragedy, or change. In the field of education policy, Tamira faced the complex dynamics of the Tennessee General Assembly’s divide between traditional public and public charter schools. This required her, while working at the Beacon Center, to uncover resistance and equip the public with factual information.
In her role as a central office administrator, Tamira navigated staff reductions and reorganizations. As a teacher at a low-performing school, she prayed to prevent a state takeover. As a campus administrator, she dealt with the challenges posed by hurricanes Harvey and Imelda, as well as the ongoing pandemic. Now, as a non-profit executive, she faces declining revenue, changes in the philanthropic climate, retention issues, and strategic planning concerns. Additionally, she carries the weight of the day-to-day stresses and impacts on people’s livelihoods when making real-time decisions.
In the face of every obstacle or challenge, Tamira begins by considering whose livelihoods are at stake and ensuring diverse voices and perspectives are heard. She then assesses whether the situation is truly an obstacle or an opportunity for her and her team. This shift in mindset has proven to be a crucial factor in providing clarity.
Another challenge Tamira has encountered is overcoming projection issues. She recalls a situation where her own assistant superintendent blocked her recommendation for hire consideration due to her being a mother with significant travel requirements. However, a General Manager recognized Tamira’s potential and advocated for her, ultimately leading her to speak about what she could contribute to the role. This experience empowered her as a woman, particularly as a black woman, and inspired her to pay it forward by sponsoring another black woman to fill the position. This incident also prompted Tamira to form a personal board of directors, consisting of mentors, confidants, friends, advisors, sponsors, and coaches who guide her in all aspects of her life. She emphasizes the importance of not navigating obstacles in isolation and acknowledges the need for supportive individuals like the General Manager who recognize one’s potential even in their absence.
Tamira actively pays it forward by mentoring through programs like Rice Business Women’s Organization Mentorship Program, participating in the Women’s Public Leadership Network National Impact Council, and serving as a Guardian Ad Litem and Graduate School Committee member for Harris County Child Advocates. She sees herself as a lifeline to others, just as many have been for her. Tamira attributes her current position to the remarkable leaders who have shaped and challenged her, her supportive family and friends, and her faith in God, which has allowed her to be where she is without compromising her values as a leader.
Leading with Purpose
Tamira, as a devoted Christian wife, mother, and servant, is passionate about enhancing people’s personal commitment to their faith, family, and fitness. She emphasizes the importance of responsibility, accountability, and building strong character for the betterment of society. While her organization strives to incorporate these aspects into its work to positively impact lives, she believes that true change must begin at both an individual and collective level to serve as a catalyst for broader transformation beyond the immediate community.
Tamira recognizes the advancements in technology that have expanded our choices and access to various aspects of life. However, she also believes that we are lacking the internal values and character required to navigate, establish, sustain, and shape our society in a meaningful way. As an Executive Director, she understands that her role extends beyond creating and improving policies that change lives. It encompasses governing her personal and professional life with the same level of character and care that she expects from a leader.
Fostering Transformation
Tamira serves as the National Co-Executive Director of The Urban Leaders Fellowship (ULF). In this capacity, she assumes leadership responsibilities encompassing management, strategic planning, recruitment, and alumni engagement. Tamira is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization, which includes managing 10 regional directors, 65 alumni leaders, interns, and strategic planning consultants, as well as coordinating with a diverse network of more than 850 alumni.
As the prominent representative of ULF, Tamira engages with a wide range of stakeholders, including over 90 partners, 18 local and state officials, and funders, while managing a multi-million-dollar budget. Her primary joy lies in collaborating with individuals such as partners, board members, regional directors, and alumni to transform their visions into reality through the various services provided by ULF. Nothing brings her greater happiness than witnessing the success of officials or partners and seeing ULF alumni embark on remarkable journeys such as launching businesses, writing books, or running for public office. These moments create a sense of fulfillment and signify the completion of a fulfilling cycle.
Adapting to Change
Tamira has observed a notable trend within the non-profit industry, where organizations are becoming more deliberate and strategic in defining their mission, values, services, human capital, and priorities. Prior to the pandemic, non-profits often relied on employees working longer hours for less compensation to fulfill their missions. However, there has been a significant shift since the pandemic, with some non-profits now implementing month-long sabbaticals to maintain employee well-being, boost morale, and prevent burnout. Additionally, non-profits are seeking ways to streamline their work and alleviate the burden on small teams. This includes the increased utilization of giving platforms to track donor data, the adoption of tools like Mailchimp for communication, and the use of storytelling platforms that automate tasks that would otherwise be done by staff members. The advancement of technology has compelled non-profits to be highly focused on the specific services they provide, who they serve, and how they deliver those services.
These changes are not only influenced by technological advancements but also reflect a broader professional shift known as The Great Resignation and Great Reshuffle. Many professionals are reevaluating the type of work they engage in and their perception of the philanthropy and non-profit industry. Some professionals are drawn to the gig economy and the desire to be their own bosses, while others are disillusioned with the policy and political processes due to mistrust in government, often fueled by portrayals on social media. Consequently, the non-profit industry has had to adapt to these factors and numerous other variables by staying several steps ahead and demonstrating agility in meeting the needs of clients and partners.
Embracing Change, Creating Opportunities
Last year, Tamira took a significant risk in her role as the National Co-Executive Director of The Urban Leaders Fellowship (ULF). Facing hiring shortages and a decline in interest from applicants, she proposed reactivating declined candidates from the past three years and inviting them to snap interviews for ULF’s flagship program. This idea was initially viewed as a long shot, but with the support and input of her advisors, sponsors, and mentors, Tamira pitched the concept to her board. The result was remarkable – the applicant pool not only doubled in size but also yielded a cohort of 114 exceptional fellows with inspiring stories of resilience. This risk paid off, as the fellows brought a wealth of expertise and diversity to the program that had not been seen in previous years.
In addition to this risk, Tamira made another bold move by changing the eligibility requirements for professionals applying to the program. She eliminated the need for a bachelor’s degree, firmly believing that everyone deserves a chance to showcase their God-given talents. This decision was aligned with ULF’s mission of providing access and opportunity to individuals who may not have otherwise had the chance to influence local and state policy.
Tamira’s willingness to take risks and embrace change stems from her own personal experiences. She acknowledges that she was entrusted with leading ULF during one of its most challenging times, despite not having previously led a national organization. Others recognized her potential and took the risk to entrust her with this important role. Inspired by this support, Tamira is dedicated to paying it forward to others and providing opportunities for individuals to thrive.
Looking ahead, Tamira envisions herself as a Senior Advisor to Executive Directors or a Board member in five years. She understands the importance of succession planning and recognizes that her skill set, perspective, and value may evolve over time. As circumstances change, including the economy and organizational needs, she believes leaders should adapt and align with what the organization truly needs at any given point.
In the end, Tamira’s risks and leadership approach demonstrate her commitment to creating opportunities, embracing change, and making a positive impact in the non-profit sector.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
