As part of our “Get to Know Groundwork” series, we've been spotlighting members of our amazing team. This week, we’re getting to know Ta'Sha Charles-Camara, who joined Groundwork Ohio in March of 2024.
As the Community Engagement Manager for Groundwork Ohio, Ta’Sha L. Charles-Camara, MSW, supports the implementation and execution of family engagement activities. Ta’Sha elevates the voices of families with young children in early childhood policy and advocacy to achieve programmatic, policy, and practice changes at local, regional, and state levels.
Ta'Sha has been leading with empathy and empowering underserved communities for over eight years and continues to make a meaningful impact through her non-profit organization Touching Lives "in the" Community Inc., which she founded on the ideas of equity, service, and inclusion with intentions to uplift underserved communities of color.
Ta’Sha is currently working on her Doctoral degree in social work through the University of Kentucky where her main focus is administrative leadership. She has a bachelor's in social work and political science, and a minor certificate in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies from Ohio Dominican University. An alumna of The Ohio State University, Ta’Sha earned a master's in social work with an area of emphasis in social and community justice in May of 2022.
Ta'Sha's vision for a more just and equitable society keeps her motivated. She believes that together, through empathy and education, we can achieve empowerment for all.
Ta’Sha currently sits on the Young Professionals Board for St. Stephen’s Community House, where she spearheads volunteer initiatives. Along with board roles, Ta’Sha works closely with youth organizations throughout Columbus to promote community engagement and education. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., an organization founded to uplift the Black community and promote social advocacy.
Ta'Sha is native to Columbus, Ohio, and has focused a large portion of her professional career in the area.
Check out our Q&A with Ta'Sha to learn more about why she’s a passionate advocate for young children and families in Ohio.
Q: What drew you to early childhood policy research and advocacy? Tell us more about your “why.”
A: What drew me to early childhood policy research and advocacy is my love for systems and how they impact marginalized groups of people. My background is in social work, and I have always been interested in macro-level practices. Additionally, I believe children are the future and the foundation for a greater future starts in early childhood research and advocacy.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received or a lesson that you’ve learned that has helped you in this work?
A: The best piece of advice I have received is from a mentor of mine. She compared the work we do to fishing; when you go fishing you may catch one fish, or you may catch a lot, but at the end of the day you caught something and that’s what matters most. I think this sentiment can be applied to all aspects of life because it's not about the number but about the impact.
Q: What’s your word for 2024?
A: VICTOR
Q: When you aren’t advocating on behalf of young children and families, what do you enjoy doing?
A: I enjoy spending time with my husband and our dog, Three. We are a sports family, so I tend to support my husband at his coaching events and give back to our local community. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family exploring and learning new things!
Q: Describe a scene from your vision of the future for Ohio’s youngest children and their caregivers.
A: Equity and access for all children and families regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic status! Inclusion for the voices who have been pushed to the back for far too long and adequate accessibility to educational resources for caregivers.