Akilah Thomas, Assistant Director of International Initiatives and Senior Training Specialist at the National SafeCare Training and Research Center, works with agencies around the globe to help families strengthen their parenting skills.
When did you join the School of Public Health, and what do you enjoy about working here?
I joined the School of Public Health in September 2011, and there are many things that make working in the School of Public Health enjoyable. The main reason that my work is so enjoyable is because I work for an exceptional leadership team at the National SafeCare Training and Research Center, which is a unit of the Mark Chaffin Centers for Healthy Development. Additionally, I love the work that we do, helping families strengthen their parenting skills. The fact that we reach families on an international level is amazing.
What’s a typical workday for you like?
Every day looks a little different, because I get to work with different people, in different regions, and deal with different issues. Since I work with agencies in varying regions of the world, my days can be quite long or at least quite sporadic. I may begin my day at 5 a.m., supporting our SafeCare agency in Nairobi, Kenya. By 9 a.m., I begin working with my east coast agencies in Pennsylvania, Canada, New York and Michigan, and then by 1 p.m. my west coast agencies are ready to get to work. My day typically ends supporting our New Zealand and Australian SafeCare agencies.
What about your work are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the many success stories that we hear from the families that receive SafeCare. When I am working with an agency, and I see all of the lives that SafeCare has touched in such a positive way. Hearing parents that have been empowered by the program and to be able to see their self-efficacy and self-esteem be enhanced because of the all the wonderful people delivering SafeCare around the world to families in need.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
When I not at work I enjoy making pepper sauce. My family is from Barbados and we make a delicious pepper sauce that we sell at farmers markets and festivals.