Te’Airea Powell

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPH:

“Okay, my name is Te’Airea Powell, and I am a trustee with the East Westwood Improvement Association. The picture I have submitted is of myself and some people I grew up with in the judge’s chambers of Judge Melba Marsh. This picture has always been one for me to remember because the Career Research Team was started in East Westwood, and the goal was to show us in the neighborhood that there was more out there than what we could see.

Going down to a judge’s chambers, sitting in her chair, and putting on her robe was a really big deal to me. I remember when she asked who wanted to wear the robe, we were all kind of nervous because we didn’t have positive images of judges; we only knew that they threw people in jail. So that was a big moment. This picture was kind of a turning point for me. Growing up, people in the neighborhood all had the same types of jobs—and there’s nothing wrong with that—but going to see someone who looked like me in such a high position let me know there was more out there that I could obtain.

Part of my people power is being a leader. I think this picture shows that, because I was willing to go ahead, throw on that robe, sit in the chair, and sit in the front. As an adult, I’ve continued being on the community council, speaking in front of our city’s council, and representing my community. I think my people power is leadership—it always has been. If people look at this picture, I want folks like Reggie, Rodney, and even Melba Marsh to know that sometimes it’s the small things you do for a child that have a big influence on the rest of their life.”