When Terranie moved from Houston to Detroit, one of her priorities was to find activities for her then three year old son. She learned about Brilliant Detroit’s Brightmoor hub via Facebook while searching for programs online and connected with the staff for a visit. When she arrived at the hub, it was actually another parent who gave her a tour. Recalling that first visit, Terranie said, “As a former teacher who wants the best for my own children, I instantly realized how deeply Brilliant Detroit’s mission aligned with my own values around literacy, family, and community. I felt seen and supported in a way that made me want to give that same feeling to others.”
Terranie and her family took advantage of the range of offerings at the hub. For her, the education and family support programs were the most impactful. They not only helped strengthen her son’s love for learning, but also gave her practical ways to support his development at home. The community events and resource connections also played a huge role in making her feel supported as a mom. “We grew in confidence and community. I found my voice as a parent advocate and my son became more socially and emotionally connected through the relationships we built. Brilliant gave us more than access to programs — it gave us a sense of belonging and purpose.”
Joining the Brilliant Detroit team felt like a natural next step. Terranie wanted to be part of creating the same transformative experiences for other families that she had personally experienced. She experienced firsthand the power of relationship-centered work and wanted to help carry that mission forward. Seeking to leverage her background in education and speech pathology, Terranie sought a role at Brilliant’s Martin Park hub. Those who interviewed her were impressed and actually suggested her for a different role as a Learning and Evaluation Specialist which better fit her schedule and skillset.
As a Brilliant Detroit staff member, Terranie is proud to support families and staff alike through her program evaluation work. She loves the community model and the fact that families are both the heart and the drivers of the work. As she puts it, “Brilliant Detroit doesn’t just serve people; it curates the space for them to serve alongside one another. That’s the essence of lasting change.”
Terranie is a prime example of how community members are inspired to leverage their skills and give back to an organization and communities that they care so much about. When you give to Brilliant Detroit, you’re providing the tools, spaces, and connections that make stories like Terranie’s possible — where one person’s gift keeps on giving to hundreds more. Check out our Giving Tuesday page and “give the gift of giving” today!