Tameeka
Smith spent much of the first twelve years of her
life homeless. Moving from St. Louis, Missouri to
California was difficult for Tameeka and her family,
especially since they didn't know anyone in the
state. Without family, friends, or any kind of
support Tameeka, her mother and her brother weren't
able to find a home. Instead they were forced to live
anywhere they could find shelter, often taking refuge
in churches, missions, or in alleys.
After
having spent eight years worrying about where she
would sleep each night, Tameeka and her family were
finally able to move into a real home in the Wilshire
Center neighborhood of Los Angeles. It was at this
time that Tameeka learned of The Unusual Suspects and
participated in US' first program with ArtShare in
December of 1999.
LAURA LEIGH OFTEN TELLS
YOUR STORY AS AN EXAMPLE OF A YOUNG WOMAN OVERCOMING
MANY OBSTACLES TO ACHIEVE GREAT SUCCESS. WHAT WAS
YOUR CHILDHOOD LIKE?
It was
pretty difficult. We moved from church to church. We
lived in missions. We slept in alleys. My most vivid
memories are of living in hotels in downtown Los
Angeles. I went to 15 different elementary schools
before I got to the third grade. I used to be able to
name them all off- I can't anymore. We didn't have a
stable place to live until I was twelve. And
actually, right before I left to go to move into the
dorms at Cal State Long Beach my mom was being
evicted from that apartment.
HOW DID PARTICIPATING IN
THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS PROGRAM CHANGE YOU?
It changed
me in so many ways! At that time in my life I was
rediscovering who I was and what my talents were. I
had been dabbling in acting and writing and the US
program was my opportunity to open up and take a
leap. It really pushed me to strive for what I
really wanted to do.
WHAT'S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE
EXPERIENCE FROM BEING INVOLVED WITH US?
There were so many things!
What really stood out to me was that all of these
people who were professional actors, writers,
directors, etc. were taking the time out to work with
us. They were so dedicated and committed. They truly
wanted us to succeed. It was inspiring.
This phrase from
Philippians, Chapter 4, Verse 13 has always helped me
keep me going. “I can do all things through the
Christ Jesus who strengthens me.”
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO NOW?
I graduated from Cal State
Long Beach from the English and Creative Writing
program. Right now I'm working as a manager for Old
Navy and I just found out that I was signed off to
manage my own store! Eventually I want to go back to
school and this year my goal is to sit down and write
a script.
Also,
I recently got engaged and I'll be getting married in
June!
GIVEN YOUR EXPERIENCES,
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUTH WHO MIGHT BE IN A
SITUATION SIMILAR TO THE ONE YOU WERE IN?
T
his
phrase from Philippians, Chapter 4, Verse 13 has
always helped me keep me going. “I can do all things
through the Christ Jesus who strengthens me.” Don't
let your circumstances define who you are. You define
who you are. And, as cliché as it sounds, don't give
up. Persistence really pays off.
Check out our website every
month for a new 15 Years, 15 Voices spotlight!
- All 15 Years, 15 Voices
articles written by Kristen Scott
