Mission Control: Tameka Citchen Spruce – Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
Welcome to Mission Control!
Hello, everybody. Welcome back to Mission Control, a podcast focusing on executive directors and nonprofit leaders and how they strive to make positive impacts in their community. I’m your host, Paul Schmidt, the owner and creative video strategist for Introduce Multimedia. Today, I am thrilled to welcome our guest, Tameka Citchen Spruce from the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC).

Getting to Know Tameka
Tameka, how are you doing today?
Tameka: I’m doing good. How are you, Paul?
Paul: I’m good, thank you! To kick things off, let’s dive into the mission of your organization, seeing as our podcast is named Mission Control.
Tameka: Absolutely. The mission of the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition is to advocate for people with disabilities, particularly focusing on reducing the multiple oppressions that individuals with disabilities and marginalized communities face. We see disability not as a deficit but just a natural, beautiful part of being human.

A Journey in Advocacy
Paul: Tameka, it’s funny because we’ve worked together for a few years now, but we’ve never met face to face.
Tameka: I know, right? That’s one of the weird outcomes of the pandemic; you end up working with many people you’ve never met in person.
Paul: Let’s dive into your background. How did you get started on this path to where you are now?
Tameka: My journey started when I was just twelve years old. I have a physical disability due to a spinal cord injury, and at that age, I advocated for myself to be mainstreamed into regular classes all day. That was my first taste of advocacy for myself.

From Advocacy to Leadership
The pivotal moment for me was after being crowned Miss Wheelchair Michigan in 2006. This role opened my eyes to a broader community of women with physical disabilities like myself. My platform was to end abuse toward women with disabilities because data shows they are at a higher risk of domestic and sexual abuse.
Paul: That’s incredible. So, you went on to start your own nonprofit?
Tameka: Yes, I did. I formed an organization dedicated to supporting women with disabilities. It was an empowering time as I became a face for a cause I passionately believed in. Community support was a huge factor in our success.

“I saw this whole community, people like myself, and it really empowered me to advocate even more.”

The Art of Storytelling
Paul: Another fascinating aspect of your career is your role as a storyteller. That’s something that really speaks to me. Talk to us about your visual storytelling journey.
Tameka: As a kid, I was naturally drawn to film, theater, and the arts. Growing up, I never saw media representations I could relate to as a Black young woman with a disability. I wanted to change that.
When Michigan had film incentives, I jumped headfirst into film production. I worked as a production assistant and later wrote and produced the short film Justifiable Homicide and executive produced the documentary My Girl Story.

“I love producing, gathering crews, setting up locations, and being on set – it’s exhilarating.”

Paul: What’s your favorite part of producing these stories?
Tameka: I enjoy the whole production process. I love being on set, directing actors, and conducting interviews. It’s fulfilling to see a project come together.

Role at Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
Paul: You’ve now pivoted to working with the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition. What’s your role there?
Tameka: At MDRC, I work with nonprofit leaders, particularly in the Detroit area, on disability inclusion. We educate them on various aspects like disability awareness, accessibility, and creating an inclusive environment for people with disabilities, especially from communities of color.
Paul: How did you find MDRC or how did they find you?
Tameka: I got involved through their fellowship program in 2018, which focused on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) disabled people. This program led to facilitation opportunities and eventually, a full-time role.

Striving for Impact
Paul: When you stepped into your leadership role, what were your first goals?
Tameka: I aimed to create a program where people felt included and heard. Communities of color, particularly Black disabled people, are often ignored. I wanted to change that by building a strong community and providing essential resources.
Paul: From your experience, do you feel like you’re making headway with your initiatives?
Tameka: Yes, the feedback has been largely positive. I believe we’re making an impact, though sometimes it’s hard to measure progress in real-time.
Paul: Where do you feel there’s still room to grow?
Tameka: I hope to create more awareness around the experiences of people with disabilities, particularly through media. My dream is to work with networks like PBS to tell diverse stories from our community.

The Bigger Picture
Paul: If you could change one policy sooner rather than later, what would it be?
Tameka: Disability is often left out of conversations about the African American community, despite high rates of disability. Policies, especially in education, need to more adequately support Black children with disabilities to help them flourish.

“Black children with disabilities are more likely to be imprisoned, driving the school-to-prison pipeline. We need to include disability in these policy conversations.”

Working with W. Kamau Bell
Paul: On another note, I saw that you were involved with W. Kamau Bell. How did that come about?
Tameka: I applied for the Unlock Her Potential program and was selected as his mentee. We met monthly throughout 2023, and he provided incredible guidance on my projects outside of MDRC.
Paul: That’s amazing. What projects are you working on?
Tameka: One is a reality show called Divas of the City, which features unapologetic African American women with physical disabilities. We’re still in the process of finding sponsors and networks.

Key Takeaways from Mentorship
Paul: What was the key thing you learned from W. Kamau Bell?
Tameka: He advised me to start by telling people’s stories on platforms like YouTube. Starting small can lead to bigger opportunities.

“Don’t be afraid to start small and put your work out there. Many successful shows began on platforms like YouTube.”

Decompression Strategies
Paul: With your packed schedule, how do you decompress?
Tameka: I love to watch movies with my husband on the weekends and spend quality time with my family, going to the mall or catching a film.

Stay Connected with Tameka
For more information and to connect with Tameka, you can visit her website at tamekacitchenspruce.com, find her on LinkedIn, or check out her work with MDRC at mymdrc.org.

Paul: Thank you so much for joining us, Tameka. This has been a wonderful conversation.
Tameka: Thank you for having me, Paul.
Paul: And thank you, everyone, for tuning in. Don’t miss our next episode, and if you enjoyed this, please share, subscribe on YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform, and leave us a review. See you next time at the Control Center!

A Conversation with Jenn Dubey of Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan

Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining us for the much-anticipated season four premiere of Mission Control—the podcast where we delve into the inspiring journeys of executive directors and nonprofit leaders who are making a difference in their communities. I’m Paul Schmidt, your host and the creative video strategist behind Unveil Multimedia.

Today, I am thrilled to have a dear friend on our show, Jenn Dubie. This might take a second—it’s a mouthful—the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan, or as we like to keep it simple, the 4 AM. Trust me, those acronyms can be a lifesaver in daily conversations!

Getting to Know Jenn Dubey

Jenn and I have been friends for what seems like an eternity in fast-paced careers—almost a decade or possibly a bit more. Reflecting on this, Jenn corrected with a light laugh, “I think it’s been about 14, starting two positions ago for me, and with each position over ten years, so yes, quite a while.”

How It All Began

Our friendship and professional collaboration go way back, and I always find the story of how we met compelling. We were brought together by a mutual involvement in a project focused on a health and wellness journey by a common friend. Jenn, who was deeply involved in personal training and nutritional consulting at the time, played a pivotal role in our friend’s transition towards better health, specializing in assisting women navigate the challenging hormonal changes during various life stages.

A Day to Remember

“The first day we met is as clear as yesterday,” Jenn recalls. It marked the beginning of a successful partnership and a series of collaborative projects that brought out the best in all involved. Jenn wasn’t just there providing training; she brought emotional and motivational support, acting almost in a therapist’s capacity.

Jenn Dubie’s Reflection on the Role and Journey:

“That project probably sparked the transition to my next big move, to corporate wellness and owning my own business. Seeing the potential to follow someone’s journey from the start all the way to achieving their goals was incredibly inspiring.”

This led Jenn to explore how collaboration between individuals, each with different yet aligned goals, could drive significant change and lead to successful outcomes—something she carried forward in her ventures.

From Fitness to Corporate Wellness

Jenn’s venture into corporate wellness wasn’t initially part of her career roadmap. However, the seed was planted during her training days. After helping a client’s company on a small scale, Jenn started recognizing the potential of applying her skills in a corporate setting. This realization spearheaded her dive into entrepreneurship, tackling the learning curves of transitioning from personal training to impacting organizational health culture.

The Growth: Challenges and Triumphs

Growing a new business came with challenges—navigating corporate contracts, managing ROI expectations, and everything in between. Yet, Jenn’s story embraces growth and learning through experiences.

Building a Business:

“I realized if I wanted to expand this business, I needed to build it. It involved strategic thinking and continual learning and adapting,” Jenn remarks about scaling her operations, reflecting on the criticality of building a business from groundwork to an established entity.

Her website, nicknamed ‘Trainer Jen,’ became the linchpin in her strategy to personalize her wellness philosophy. The venture led to a publication—a cookbook echoing her beliefs in health and nutrition—and a robust online platform for tracking employee wellness programs.

Transitioning Into a New Role

Despite her success and deep involvement in her business, life had another plan. A transition from her business to a nonprofit setting was not just a step back into employment but a leap into unfamiliar waters, managing multiple departments and a significantly larger team, which demanded a different leadership style and operational approach.

Embracing Nonprofit Challenges at 4 AM

Jenn’s current role as the Operations Manager at 4 AM involves leveraging her extensive experience in leadership, program development, and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for older adults. She focuses on allowing them to live with dignity and independence in their chosen environments—a mission driven by empathy and reinforced by strategic action.

Jenn’s Vision Moving Forward:

Navigating the challenges and intricacies of a nonprofit that deals directly with life-impacting services, Jenn applies her entrepreneurial spirit to influence change and drive initiatives that scale up the community impacts of 4 AM.

The Joy of Learning and Growing

“I find that every role I’ve had allowed me to build on something new, to learn something different. That’s what keeps me driven,” Jenn shared, her voice imbued with the passion and dedication that have marked her diverse career path.

Conclusion: The Journey Continues

Our conversation with Jenn Dubie has been nothing short of inspiring. Her journey has been marked by continual growth, learning, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability and the profound impacts of nurturing relationships and collaborations in professional settings.

Thank you, Jenn, for sharing your incredible journey with us today on Mission Control. For our listeners who wish to learn more about Jenn’s work or reach out to her, please visit 4ami.org or connect via LinkedIn.

Remember to tune in for our next episode, and don’t hesitate to reach out with suggestions for future guests or topics. Thank you for joining us, and until next time, keep striving to make a positive impact in your world!