Name: Tameka White
City: Benton Harbor, Michigan
Workplace: LACTPOWER birth & breastfeeding support and advocacy
Title: Founder, Doula, Lactation Specialist
How do you think that Bold Women of Business demonstrate being bold?
Bold Women of Business demonstrate boldness in how we show up, speak up and hold fast to the vision that we have for our businesses.
Bold women are often defined by a number of descriptors. Please choose from the following descriptors to produce the top three that you would say most exemplify your personality?
Intrepid
Bright
Distinctive
Please provide an example of when you feel you were at your very best in taking action on the job or in your role.
A recent example of being at my very best, a few months ago, I testified before the House Michigan Legislature on behalf of expanding laws to protect human milk expression in public, playing a key role in getting that legislation passed by sharing my story and those from people in my community. I also nursed my 1yr old while giving testimony, which is the epitome of what my work is about.
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened on your road to success?
I was sitting in a zoom meeting with colleagues across the State and accidentally announced my pregnancy. It just so happened a colleague was talking about how her son has grown so much, she said “it seems like I was only pregnant yesterday” before she could finish her statement, I said (in a sarcastic tone might I add) “well I waaaassssss pregnant yesterday”. My friend’s giggle tipped me off that they heard me at which point I asked “y’all heard that”. Everyone laughed , a total “hot mic” moment was had.
Who most inspires your personal drive for success every day?
My mother most inspires my drive for success everyday. I’ve seen her perseverance, she’s a remarkable person. She modeled fortitude for me in life. And connecting my mother to the work I do, she, like many women, (disproportionately Black women and women of color) she was not given the opportunity to make an informed decision about breastfeeding. Her opportunity was taken from her. She has nonetheless watched and marveled at her grandchildren being nursed. Her story helps propel the work to go forward.
What is your best advice to women in Southwest Michigan looking to succeed, as you have, in business?
Keep striving everyday, reinventing & reframing personal success by what success feels like to YOU. Pace yourself, consistent motion over time is well worth the journey. A pivot is not the end and failure is only a lesson learned through experience. Find your people, the people who believe in you and will lift you up in hard times.
What does your selection to the ranks of the Bold Women of Business from Moody on the Market mean to you?
I am grateful to be selected, I feel a sense of accomplishment that this important work is being highlighted. I’m hesitant to the spotlight but everyone wants to feel appreciated, someone thought enough of me to nominate me and I am now in the ranks with some awesome inspiring women. I hope that this will be a beacon of light to those who might have a dream they are afraid to pursue, or maybe they have a vision that others haven’t quite yet caught on to, keep going.
