The TCU Neeley Office of Inclusive Excellence regularly hosts the Against All Odds speaker series and recently welcomed Tara Jaye Frank, a best-selling author and equity strategist who talked about competence and confidence being essential in the journey towards workplace equity.
November 20, 2023
By Amber Billops
The Against All Odds Speaker Series, powered by Bank of America, showcases stories of grit and determination through inspiring guest speakers, such as best-selling author and equity strategist Tara Jaye Frank. On November 3, Frank led a thought-provoking discussion in the most recent installment of the series that also served as a TCU 150th celebration event.
Frank, with her 21-year career at Hallmark Cards, described the experience she gained with her 21-year career there, where she held various executive roles, such as VP of Business Innovation, VP of Multicultural Strategy and Corporate Culture Advisor to the President. She also added her perspective as an entrepreneur,author and consultant to the discussion about workplace equity.
In part, Frank credits her formative years as a student at Spelman College, an all-women HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in Atlanta, Georgia, for her development. She said her experience at Spelman, as one young, Black woman among 1,200 young Black women, fortified her as a thinker, creative person and a citizen of the world.
“When you are the only in a given workplace environment or you are one of very few, it’s really hard for you to be an individual. People see you as a representative of those who are like you,” said Frank. “When we have very few data points, we tend to extrapolate those data points on to other people. When we have many data points, we individualize that data.”
Against All Odds is hosted twice a semester by the TCU Neeley Office of Inclusive Excellence’s Director Ann Tasby. It’s an event that Hettie Richardson, the interim dean for the Neeley School of Business, said she looks forward to because of the insights the speakers provide students and other guests, as well as the lessons she learns.
Moderating the event was Ron Parker ‘76, a member of the TCU Board of Trustees and Neeley Board of Advisors. He guided the discussion while providing his own discernment and experience. Parker urged students to stay curious, to define themselves, and to remain grounded in their pursuit of their personal identity.
Frank carried some the same themes throughout, in particular her testimony on the role of diversity in shaping one's identity and the importance of individuality. In her book, "The Waymakers: Clearing the Path to Workplace Equity with Competence and Confidence," Frank explained the significance of those who pave the way for others.
“Waymakers are individuals who hold positions of power and are willing and able to open doors of opportunity, remove barriers, and guide others towards greater contributions,” she said. “They provide insights, access, and opportunities to those they mentor and support.”
Frank also stressed the importance of embracing realism, taking responsibility, and building relationships on the path to change. She encouraged leaders to genuinely understand the experiences of their employees, to take responsibility for fostering an inclusive culture, and to bridge the gaps that separate people based on differences. Frank's call to action was clear: build bridges across differences to promote unity, growth, and healing.
"The single most important thing we can do for ourselves and each other moving forward is to build more bridges across differences,” she said. “Our echo chambers are loud and comfy."
Tasby expressed her appreciation for the partnership with Bank of America and highlighted their commitment to promoting access, equality, and equity. She explained how Bank of America's support aligns with the goals of the Against All Odds Speaker Series, amplify leading diverse voices to provide real-word insight while powering key access initiatives available to all Neeley students.
Before closing the hourlong event, Frank answered questions from the audience, many of whom were students. One student thanked Frank for coming to campus and asked how she became such an inspiring leader and a trailblazer in a world that tells“you that you cannot.”
Frank said, “Be careful about the stories you tell yourself and...I would say also be careful about the stories that you adopt as truth. There are a lot of opinions people have about what’s going to be possible for you.
“Their experience doesn’t have to be your experience. So, I think you have to define success and happiness and contentment and all those things for yourself and let that be your measuring stick.”
