Meet Tamia Nady, OneStar | VISTA Spotlight

In our VISTA Spotlight, our OneStar AmeriCorps VISTA members share in their own words about the transformative experience of serving with nonprofits and agencies in Texas working to eliminate poverty.

Hello, my name is Tamia Nady. After graduating from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University with a degree in Economics, I was not sure what career path to pursue. However, my love for volunteering and mentoring kids made me realize my passion for helping underserved communities. Affordable housing has always been a topic of interest for me. My mom has been a real estate agent for over 15 years, and discussions around the lack of affordable housing have always been part of our conversations. These conversations, paired with my drive to support communities, motivated me to explore roles that would allow me to address housing challenges while continuing to serve others. This sparked my interest in housing equity and addressing disparities that impact communities. While exploring opportunities after graduation, I discovered AmeriCorps and came across a VISTA position relating to Affordable housing Research in Houston, TX at Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation. I did not fully know what the role would entail but I was excited to take a step toward meaningful service. This experience has deepened my understanding of the challenges facing underserved communities and strengthened my commitment to creating change. After my service year, I plan to pursue a career in community development using the skills I've gained to continue advocating for equity. AmeriCorps has been a transformative journey, giving me the tools and inspiration to make a lasting impact wherever I go.