I am Women’s Bean Project: Nia

Transcribed from Nia’s graduation speech:

Dear Women of the Bean Project, I want to take some time to let you know how much you have taught me during my time here. I would like to start with the staff.

To Tamra, thank you for thinking highly of me, and letting me rep the Bean on the news. And you made things happen for us that we never thought possible. I pray your journey unfolds smoothly in your next steps in life.

To Geoff, thank you for talking with my husband and getting me my start at Women’s Bean Project. Without you, I wouldn’t have gotten the chance or the opportunity to start here. You’re the only man who loves shorts year-round.

Rachel, Kaycee, and Amy: I wouldn’t have gotten the best out of my program without you. The support and drive that you all put behind me molded me into the rock that I have become today. There was never a thought that we could not complete, an obstacle we could not finish, or a problem that we could not solve. Thank you. Thanks to you ladies. Always willing to help and not only hearing my concerns, but taking my ideas and making changes in the program while I was here to see it. Not just me, but all of us. I’m going to miss making you all giggle.

To Rocio, thank you for giving me my second chance at the Bean. You caught me doing nothing, and put me right back to work, having my back and keeping me on track with tough love and accountability.

To Anne, I love you. You always been there for me, and you are the sweetest. Always telling me you like my clothes, and never passing me for a second without saying, “Hi, how are you today?” Thank you for that.

To Brittany, we got it out the mud together and I’m so proud to see the leader and the boss that you have now bloomed into. If anyone understands what it takes to be here, it’s you. You are one of the prime examples of how this place gives life and light in the darkest of times.

To Judy, getting to know you has been fun. But that time that you took vacation, I did miss you. You have this calmness about you that is so cool. I’ve always felt like I can ask, learn, and come to you about life. And I love hearing your stories. You make sure that we are safe and all of our equipment works and we have the best thing possible. Learning from you has been the best, even if I can’t be serious for more than 5 minutes.

To Miranda, you have always been the boss lady to me. You kept me in check with my potty mouth by yelling, “Nia! Language!” You know this place and could run it with your eyes closed. Because of you, I understand what quality is and how important paying attention to details is. I’m so happy to see you getting out of this dusty warehouse and into something that I know that you’re going to be the bomb at, whatever you do.

To Kawanda, thank you for interviewing me the very first time I came to the Bean. You are so cool. And I love the way that you stay balanced. You’re a woman of faith, and I believe you saw something in me as well, well before I even did myself. It’s because of you that I have gotten the chance to experience the Bean Project. So thank you for saying yes.

To Diesha, thank you for the things that you do. You help this place function. You make sure we have a cup of Joe all day, you order supplies so we always have what we need around here, and more. Thank you for helping me develop my front desk skills. God forbid, if I didn’t have you, what would I have done? We always crack jokes, and you are so kind and easygoing. You let me touch all the things in the store, and you have always cheered me on in whatever I do, and that means the world to me.

And to my cohorts that go to work with me and for the new girls that have just joined us. This journey is yours. We all come from different backgrounds. We all are different and unique. We all have good days and bad days. We’ll cry, laugh and support one another. Not one of us is better than the next. This place is about teamwork, putting your heads together, and working hard. If you guys take anything from me, it is to help one another. Never point the finger at the next person if you mess up. Work together to fix it, whatever it may be, because we are only as strong as our weakest link. That’s my motto. I live by that. So let’s make money, learn new things, enjoy the program and I wish the best for all my Bean Queens.