1. My name is Tynisha Worthy and I have served as Fellowship
Manager and Director of Team Service Projects with Public
Allies Cincinnati, a program of BRIDGES for a Just Community,
for the past 3 years.
Today, you will have an opportunity to read bits and pieces of
my thoughts. I have constructed my presentation in this way
because I have found it extremely difficult to communicate
with you all this year. I have often wondered if people truly
misunderstand the information and/or directives I give or if it
is just the nature of the group to challenge/question anything
that constitutes work, presents a challenge or has the
potential to stretch one’s comfort zone.
Here are my thoughts…I’m speaking (okay…typing my truth).
Read…or don’t…it is up to you.
3. The official title of my presentation is:
Circles, Self-Actualization & LeBron James
The core values I will explore during this time are:
Continuous Learning ▪ Integrity
The Learner Outcomes that are most relevant include:
Self-Awareness ▪ Leadership ▪ Careers in Public Life
4. We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We
grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in
another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are
relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in
another. The past, present and future mingle and
pull us backward, forward or fix us in the present.
We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.
- Anaḯs Nin
5. Circles have been a recurring
theme for me lately, both in
conversations about change
and as a metaphor for prayer.
When considering how best to
convey my learning, I kept
arriving at the image of a
circle. You start at zero
degrees, and you progress to
360 degrees, which is the
same point…
6. Eight years ago when I completed my first Public Allies journey, I left
feeling equipped with the tools necessary to “make a difference.” I knew
my assets, I had a new set of core values to inform my leadership practice
and I had a network of peers and organizations to tap into.
With my first big-girl job secured at Lighthouse Youth Services
upon graduation from PA, I was ready!
7. Having inadvertently swallowed a little too much of the PA Kool-
Aid, I went to Lighthouse believing wholeheartedly in the mission of
“advancing the dignity and well-being” of the youth we served. I had
relevant experience and great ideas…Because of my great work
ethic, I had job security and a bright future, especially if I paid my
dues and lost some of my youthful idealism…
Fortunately…or unfortunately…I am hyper aware of incongruence. I
get angsty and disenchanted when organizational missions get co-
opted, especially in response to/at the whim of board members and
funders that are far removed from the people being served.
Don’t talk about it…BE ABOUT IT.
8. What I know for sure…
“What a man can be, he must be. This
need we may call self-actualization…”
- Abraham Maslow
9. I am beautiful and intelligent. I am complicated and complex.
I am strong and even more strong-willed. I am a lover. At
times, I am a fighter. I am a great friend. I work hard. I give
my very best. I absolutely have high expectations for myself
and others. I am an achiever. I am mission-driven. I am
relentless. For me, results matter and failure is not an option.
I speak my mind. I don’t hold back. On some things, I only see
black and white. On others, I see the entire spectrum. I don’t
respect quitters and respect even less those who are
unwilling to at least try. I love people. I also can’t stand
people. I am simultaneously self-centered and painfully
aware of my environment. I am an ever-evolving work in
progress. I am me and I feel comfortable in my own skin. I am
thankful for that.
10. Life is like riding a bicycle – in order to keep your
balance, you must keep moving.
- Albert Einstein
11. After serving at Lighthouse for 4
years, I no longer felt sure about
my ability to effect change
through nonprofit work…
Fast forward to June 2009…I have
just been offered the job of my
dreams as a PA Program Manager…
12. My initial thoughts were:
• Of course BRIDGES/Public Allies is mission-driven – they introduced me to
Core Values, ABCD and Community Engagement
• Of course the mantra Everybody Leads is embraced and respected
• Of course my work ethic and creativity and most importantly MY VOICE is
welcome and encouraged in this space
13. I would love to think that if my timing was
different…say, prior to the economic downturn or
perhaps if the myriad Cincinnati Fortune 500 companies
were buying up event tables instead of primarily funding
high-impact programs…I would not be back where I
started:
• Feeling overworked and underpaid
• Feeling undervalued and disrespected
• Feeling used up and shut-up, you know, like the child
that is supposed to be seen and not heard…
Two different organizations…
same feelings…
14. After 3 years in this role, I find myself, in
many ways, back where I started…I have
come full circle…
Full Circle: through a series of developments
that lead back to the original
source, position or situation or to a
complete reversal of the original position
- Merriam Webster
15.
16. Over the last several weeks, I have been watching the NBA playoffs. Both
“The Decision” and the 2011 NBA Championship that wasn’t were daily back
stories on ESPN and Sports Talk Radio. As I digested all of the commentary, I
found myself empathizing with LeBron James and saw a few parallels in our
experiences:
1. We are both Northeast Ohioans
2. Over the last 2 years, we have faced huge transitions and tremendous
professional challenges
3. After giving our all to our respective organizations and
communities, we had to make some tough choices
