Grantee Partner Spotlight: The RealiTea ProjecT

A Q&A with Taneya Higginbotham

Co-Founder, President, and CEO of The RealiTea ProjecT

You mention the idea of cultural humility education. What is meant by this term?

It is something I’ve evolved, in working through The RealiTea ProjecT. DEI (or diversity, equity, and inclusion) is something that has resurfaced; its little brother is cultural competency. But cultural humility was created by two physicians, Dr. Jann Murray-Garcia and Dr. Melanie Tervalon, with the understanding that we have to acknowledge that we are not the experts of others’ lives, or of their experiences. So, in order to learn to have connections with others, we have to be confident in our own cultural identity, but also to learn from you. And what I might consider the most important thing might not be the most important thing. And it gets into challenging power imbalances and relationships – you must take a posture of humility and lifelong learning – and that’s one thing I love about the ‘RealiTea’ - I listen to and tell stories. We’re humbled by the experiences. 

You also mention ‘healing heart wounds.’ What do you mean by this?

One thing I truly believe is that true transformation starts with our thought process and then it comes and transforms in our hearts. So, when we have our hearts transformed is where there is true change. You can go to workshops – but if your heart is not invested in it, you won’t see lasting effect. So the heart is something we develop in The RealiTea ProjecT. When dealing with people, with trauma, you have to acknowledge that, and be healed from it. Sometimes we are the offended, and sometimes we are the offender, and then need empathy, and compassion. We are people, after all, not statistics or objects – we are still people. You need accountability, which is sometimes the hardest part. And have to keep it real. It is very important to keep it real. We see real stories being heard – it’s not about venting or complaining – it’s about sharing what I live. This is what I experience, what my children – and our teachers, and our police officers, and my husband, spouse, partner experience. We’re not the experts of other people’s lives. And you need transformation. And that is a combination, of everything together. You don’t want to just have a brief moment of understanding. You want long-lasting transformation, and that starts in the heart, from the inside out.  

What are some of the biggest challenges in carrying out the work you do? 

At RealiTea, we have provided services all over Illinois. We’ve been in Dekalb, Macomb, Coles County, and various other places. One common struggle I’ve seen boils down to an unwillingness to address realities. We get so caught up with doing what we are doing and living everyday life – you cut off someone in mid-sentence, and you’re hiring people who are the same as you, or you’re having condescending conversations that people are supposed to ignore, due to pay grade. So microaggressions occur that are not addressed, and there is a disconnect. Some people don’t know how to change what they don’t know or refuse to see. And that can be very challenging. 

What gives you hope?

Even though there is a lack of understanding, or even desire to understand or see different perspectives, there are so many people who do want to care and to grow and are acknowledging that there are different realities for people who do not look like them and are actually willing to put in the work and go to racial healing seminars. We’ve partnered with SACIS, a sexual assault agency that serves numerous counties in central Illinois. They invited us to come in, saying we recognize that there are injustices and harmful things taking place because of a lack of knowledge and understanding, and we don’t want to be there. They said we want to make sure that everyone - staff, leadership, volunteers, and clients feel safe, and we cannot do that unless we put in the work and the time to grow. That commitment gives me hope.

But my favorite and most motivating thing that keeps me doing what I do is the impact and encouragement I impart to others. Every time I have provided a training, spoken word, or keynote presentation, 

I have had people of all ages, professions, and ethnicities approach me with tears, hugs, and feelings of empowerment to do what is right. That is a true transformation that starts in the heart.

Taneya Higginbotham's Suggested Readings:

• Children: The Color of Friendship by Adrienne C. Graham
• Adults: Oneness Embraced: Reconciliation, the Kingdom, and How We are Stronger Together by Tony Evans
               Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit by Mary-Frances Winters

About The RealiTea ProjecT, Inc.

The RealiTea Project's work is centered around two programs: Cultural Humility/DEI Education and the Annual Juneteenth Celebration. TRP's educational framework is delivered through social media, interviews, workshops, support groups, facilitated discussions, mentorship, public speaking, and various community engagement and support. 

The Juneteenth Celebration is a free and public event recognizing the end of the physical slavery of African Americans in the U.S. Activities include historical education and cultural interpretation through arts, food, and music. The celebration also provides an opportunity to support Black-owned businesses.

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