WTH is Taty Doing Now?
I always ask myself that because, honestly, trying to do everything I'm passionate about is…a lot. Sometimes, I even wonder, "Am I doing too much? Am I…too much?"
These questions hit especially hard this year when I added another role to my life: wife. I knew getting married wasn't just something you did—it's an active, full-time passion project that plays a massive part in shaping the trajectory of this next chapter of my life. But here's the catch: I’m still an author, a producer, a community builder, and recently—just a month after my wedding—a nonprofit founder. All of these pieces of me…matter to me. So yeah…Taty, WTH are you doing?
The answer I’m learning to embrace is all of it. WTH is Taty doing? All of it.
For years, I tried to keep my work in neat little boxes, fearing that I’d seem scattered, like a “jack of all trades, master of none.” But then I remembered the full quote:
“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”
Quick history lesson: This quote was actually used to describe William Shakespeare. The guy wasn’t just writing plays—he was learning every job, filling in wherever needed, and using that experience as his playground. And look at him now—one of the most well-known playwrights in history!
So, being a jack of all trades? Total compliment! I’m a multi-talented person with the skills to chase after whatever I want, pivot when needed, and roll with the punches. It’s a gift, and I’m learning to embrace it and use it to go after my heart's desires.
But what do all the things I love and do have in common? What makes me say YES with my whole chest? Everything I do, at it’s core, is about:
Community: Whether it's my immediate circle of family and friends or the broader community of Black people, women, and girls, I'm all about building and supporting connections. There's so much strength in community, and I've always been passionate about it.
Storytelling: I believe in the power of storytelling—sharing our truths, joys, and pains. These stories help us grow, heal, and support one another across generations. I've been telling stories since my Barbie doll days, and making people feel seen and heard is something I genuinely love.
So, let me reintroduce myself. I’m Tatyerra Mikell, and I’m doing my best to juggle being a:
Wife
Daughter
Sister
Cousin
Friend
Tete
Writer
Producer
Community Builder
Nonprofit Founder
Marketing Professional
And, oh yeah, a person, I’m literally just a girl! 🎀
That's me. And instead of trying to squeeze all of that into a neat little box, I've decided that I'm done with boxes this year. No one was putting me in one but me.
I won't always be able to show up 100% in all these roles. For example, to make space for Author Taty, Wife Taty, and simply Person Taty, my beloved Gratitude for Black Girls has had to take a little break until I have the head and heart space to grow it into what it truly deserves. And believe me, it will! Priorities will constantly shift, but I'll always find a way because I know how to pivot.
So, if you’ve been waiting for a sign to do that thing, be that person, or make that pivot, let this be it!
Xo,
Tatyerra Mikell