As someone who loves her alma mater and admires inclusion in campus culture, Jasmine Thomas ’12 is taking the time to speak on some of her experiences in the workplace that might aid students finding themselves in similar arenas. “The most engulfed I’ve felt in campus culture are moments when this place was making history,” Thomas relays. With help from alumni like her, the Center for Career and Professional Development hopes to use these conversations to continue that history with a consideration for marginalized communities. 

Eye-opening moments

As a Theater and Communication Studies graduate, Thomas is aware of what it takes to take up space on a stage or in a room, and how much more that means for a woman of color. Considering Southwestern’s support of marginalized students during her time as a student, Thomas believes that while some were purposeful about circulating content in classes and on the theater stage to increase a presence of marginalized communities, there was always room for improvement. “[Southwestern] could’ve done a better job to engage black and brown people in theater, to be part of the shows,” Thomas believes. “That is one of the things that I didn’t realize [until later].” 

One conversation that comes to mind when discussing race on campus comes from a conversation in a communication class about an all white atheist gospel choir group. Thomas, the only black person in the class, “per usual” she says, was asked if her opinion on the matter had anything to do with race when she referred to the contradictory element of a gospel choir group being atheist. “It was one of those times that I had to really look inside myself and question if I was trying to not make it about race because it was an all white class or if I really felt this way,” Thomas ponders. 

It caused her to question whether or not she censors herself to make people around her feel more comfortable even if there’s a risk of being misunderstood. Lately, she affirms, “I have become much stronger in making sure I’m heard and understood. Some might think I ‘over’ communicate, but I just don’t want you to twist my words. I want you to understand exactly what I’m saying.” For Thomas, this realization continues to affect her today as she moves through the workplace. 

Showing up 

After graduating, Thomas joined Teachers for America (TFA), not because she always dreamed of becoming a teacher, but because, “I loved that TFA is all about going to communities in need and training teachers to be leaders and make change, because one day every child in this great nation deserves excellent education.” After working there for two years, Thomas became a consultant for TFA teachers while acting full time in New York City. Then, moving back to Houston, she joined the Alley Theater, managing their Education and Community Engagement Department. Currently, she works as a 4th grade writing teacher in Spring ISD in Houston, where she recently won the Spring ISD Teacher of the Year. 

Thomas states that she went into teaching because it was a honed skill she was confident and comfortable in. “I’ve been blessed with these gifts, and I did a lot of work with social and emotional learning at the theater where I learned so much about the world and mental health,” Thomas explains. “Coming out of this pandemic, these kids are going to be so traumatized, as we all are. I wanted to be in a position where I was there for kids, even if it was just my kids as they transition back to school or ‘normal’.” Showing up for her students is something that remains the focus of her work no matter the surroundings. 

It takes a toll 

Towards the end of her time at the Alley Theater, Thomas struggled with the fact many people were waking up to what marginalized communities, particularly black communities, have been dealing with for most of their lives. “It’s the hardest thing about being a minority in the workplace right now, seeing all of these people saying, ‘Oh my gosh, stuff really needs to change,’ and I’m thinking, ‘You just now realized this?’” she exclaims. 

Previous to the events of summer 2020, Thomas had brought up certain issues with her employers and put on presentations revolving around race, but it hadn’t gotten the momentum that society has now given it. Thomas notes that it became incredibly burdensome for her to be expected to bear the responsibility of educating others in the workplace about race. “I love to talk,” she begins. “But I didn’t want to. I am so emotional when I start thinking about injustices against black folks. You feel like I need to say something, but I can be here just to listen.”

It’s difficult to speak out about the things an organization一especially a well-respected one一could do better, but Thomas believes that teaching how they might do better is the only way to accomplish change. “If I don’t say something, then they’re going to treat the next person this way,” she says. Seeking to create an inclusive community while not burdening marginalized communities is something all organizations can hopefully focus on going forward. 

Taking up space

Being a teacher in the classroom once more, Thomas takes what she learned from all of her past work experience一how to integrate theater and emotional and social learning一and has hosted workshops to teach other teachers this valuable skill. She mentions that the first thing an actor has to learn is to be present. Working mostly with people of color, she states, “We go into those conversations of what does it mean to say ‘I am here, I’m taking up space.’ How much weight on that shoulder does that presence mean for a person of color, a woman, a plus size woman of color? All of these identities that we hold.” 

For students entering the workforce, it can feel like a lot more pressure when those identities don’t fit in with what the “social norm” dictates it is. As Thomas has done through her academic and work experiences, showing up for what matters and being confident enough to speak out when you’ve been wronged are just a few attributes to take on while navigating the workplace as a member of a marginalized community.