When most people talk about Black history, especially in February, there is an unspoken preference or expectation that we default to talking about the past, whether it’s great civil rights leaders or significant events that have impacted Black people worldwide.
While those are important and worth remembering, Black history is about more than just our past; it’s how the past shapes our present and future. So, with that thought in mind, I wanted to explore Black history at the Tennessee Aquarium through the lens of some of my colleagues’ paths to the Aquarium, what working here means to them, and the legacy they hope to leave behind.
My name is Tyson Jones, and I’m the Aquarium’s marketing and communications administrative assistant. I’ve been with the Aquarium since August of 2021, but like many people who work here, the Aquarium has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Field trips and family visits were a semi-regular occurrence for me growing up, and I have particularly vivid memories of the Stingray Bay touch tank and Butterfly Garden.
Me in the Aquarium's Turtles of the World gallery
I always thought how cool it would be to work at the Aquarium and hang out with turtles (my favorite animal) all day. Now that I do work here, I don’t get to hang out with the turtles, at least not all day, but the experiences I’ve had, like making “snow” for our otters and getting my shoe nibbled by a Radiated Tortoise — while small moments — are certainly ones I’ll always reflect fondly on.
And to me, the small moments have genuinely fleshed out my time at the Aquarium. Even the idea of writing this article was a small, spur-of-the-moment notion that has snowballed into something I’m very proud of. Content creation is my job, but storytelling is my passion. To get the chance to use this platform to share not only my but also my co-workers’ stories is a really cool opportunity. Ideally, people will remember and think fondly about that long after I pass the reigns on to the next person.
But as I said, that’s MY path and my story. Every person’s experience is different and meaningful. To find out more about what inspires and gives meaning to the roles my Black colleagues play at the Aquarium, I collected the following responses from representatives of several departments, and I’m excited to share them here.
Radiated Tortoise, aka "The Shoe Nibbler"
Sean Hill — Senior Operator
Who is a person, or what is an experience that helped shape your career path? Who or what inspired you to get involved in the field that made you want to work at the Tennessee Aquarium?
(Aquarium Director of Facilities and Safety) Rodney Fuller gave me the opportunity to work in maintenance back in June of 2000. From there, I learned the Aquarium way and got really close with all professionals and tradesman who kept the Aquarium operating. Today, 23 years later, I feel a part of that team and the purpose we have here at the Aquarium.
Since you’ve been at the Aquarium, can you name an experience or event that you can personally take pride in? Whether it was an event you were part of, got to witness, or something that you got to experience firsthand, what is something that has left a mark on you at the Tennessee Aquarium and made a lasting memory for you?
The opening of Ocean Journey (in 2005) was an experience I will always remember. I’ll also think back on the work and effort it took to bring each exhibit into service, the time it took to learn all the pumps and which systems they control, and the many procedures I have written with team members over the years to maintain different exhibits.
What is the kind of legacy you’d like to leave on a professional or personal level? How would you like to be best remembered in the future and what kind of lessons, if any, would you like to pass on to Black people who may follow your career path?
My legacy I would like to leave behind is that enjoyed my work, enjoyed my coworkers, enjoyed working with the many different exhibits serving our animal collection here at the Aquarium. I hope to be remembered as a good leader who listens to team members as well as helps them be successful in their careers.
I have learned over the years that — with hard work and an ability to learn — you can be successful in any field you desire.
Natali Rodgers — Director of Learning and Evaluation
Who is a person, or what is an experience that helped shape your career path? Who or what inspired you to get involved in the field that made you want to work at the Tennessee Aquarium?
Taking a field trip as a middle school student to the Aquarium truly shaped my career path. I always loved learning about nature and animals but never envisioned I could work in those fields until that visit.
Once I saw people actually working in the Aquarium doing all sorts of jobs — even though I didn’t know what exactly they were doing — I knew I wanted to learn more about different career pathways that were available in marine and environmental science.
Since you’ve been at the Aquarium, can you name an experience or event that you can personally take pride in? Whether it was an event you were part of, got to witness, or something that you got to experience firsthand, what is something that has left a mark on you at the Tennessee Aquarium and made a lasting memory for you?
Partnering with Urban League of Chattanooga to facilitate a STEM careers workshop for middle school students from Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy is one of my favorite memories of working here.
Seeing students being exposed to new experiences and STEM opportunities was amazing. We had students who had never thought about possible careers at an aquarium until that point. To see how this workshop sparked curiosity and interest in conservation and environmental science is a memory I will never forget.
What is the kind of legacy you’d like to leave on a professional or personal level? How would you like to be best remembered in the future and what kind of lessons, if any, would you like to pass on to Black people who may follow your career path?
One of my favorite quotes is by Maya Angelo, and it sums up this question perfectly for me: “My legacy is every life I touched.”
I want everyone to be able to encounter the beauty and wonder of nature, to knock down as many barriers that prevent access to nature as I possibly can through authentic experiences and opportunities. That’s what I set out to do every single day.
Here’s my advice for those who may want to follow my career path:
- Find mentors and build connections. Having a support system is essential.
- Look for ways to gain experience and increase knowledge through internships, volunteer opportunities and other professional development opportunities
- Ignore the naysayers! Ignore those who say this space isn’t for you or that you can’t do it – let this motivate you!
- Stay focused and don’t give up!
- Knock down barriers for others.
Darleene Cole — Senior Manager of Volunteer Services
Who is a person, or what is an experience that helped shape your career path? Who or what inspired you to get involved in the field that made you want to work at the Tennessee Aquarium?
I was hired by George Conley, the first African American manager at the Aquarium, as a membership associate. I had no knowledge of the aquarium industry at the time, but his passion for what the Aquarium would do for Chattanooga was infectious.
Later, George was replaced by (Director of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity) Mara-Lynne Payne, who helped me develop my skills and pushed me out of my comfort zone. She always encouraged me to push further and to take on new challenges. She continues to be my mentor.
Since you’ve been at the Aquarium, can you name an experience or event that you can personally take pride in? Whether it was an event you were part of, got to witness, or something that you got to experience firsthand, what is something that has left a mark on you at the Tennessee Aquarium and made a lasting memory for you?
The Aquarium’s 25th anniversary event on the Walnut Street Bridge was epic!
What is the kind of legacy you’d like to leave on a professional or personal level? How would you like to be best remembered in the future and what kind of lessons, if any, would you like to pass on to Black people who may follow your career path?
After 31 years at the Aquarium, I have seen and experienced a lot of changes, development, and growth, but now, there is intention to be more diverse and inclusive, which is the best change I’ve seen so far.
Being the Senior Program Manager of Volunteer Services, I hope volunteers will see themselves in other volunteers and staff and spread the word of the work we do at the Aquarium.
Shawn Brim — Community Engagement Educator
Who is a person, or what is an experience that helped shape your career path? Who or what inspired you to get involved in the field that made you want to work at the Tennessee Aquarium?
Growing up, my sister and I would visit zoos, aquariums, nature centers and parks to learn more about nature and our favorite animals. Then, we realized the programs and tours we experienced were led by people who did not look like us. The nature documentaries we binge-watched at home were narrated by non-Black voices. Our friends and classmates didn’t discuss the importance of ocean acidification.
When we talked to extended family, they seemed to believe they had zero influence on conservation. I joined the world of education to combat this myth and build a greater passion for nature within the Black community.
Since you’ve been at the Aquarium, can you name an experience or event that you can personally take pride in? Whether it was an event you were part of, got to witness, or something that you got to experience firsthand, what is something that has left a mark on you at the Tennessee Aquarium and made a lasting memory for you?
Over the summer, I did an outreach program at a camp for low-income families. The kids were so excited to see sea turtle shells and corals in real life. Some of them were terrified of snakes, but I was still able to encourage them to meet Trooper the Ball Python.
A couple weeks later, as I’m returning the millipede from a program on the Aquarium floor, I hear “Shawn! Shawn! Mr. Shawn!” It was the same summer camper visiting the Aquarium. I quizzed them about what we talked about earlier in the summer, and they told me how they shared these facts with their friends and families at home.
I was so proud that I let them quickly meet the millipede as they headed to their next exhibit. They really made me feel like I made their whole summer.
What is the kind of legacy you’d like to leave on a professional or personal level? How would you like to be best remembered in the future and what kind of lessons, if any, would you like to pass on to Black people who may follow your career path?
I want to give Black people the chance to experience nature without having to win the lottery to go on a safari. Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facilities, especially, have a major role to play in educating local communities and influencing long-term change. I want to be remembered as “the guy who let me touch a sea urchin for the first time” or “the friend who taught me to check my lawn for turtles before I mow it.”
Tanisha La Guardia — Community Engagement Educator
Who is a person, or what is an experience that helped shape your career path? Who or what inspired you to get involved in the field that made you want to work at the Tennessee Aquarium?
Growing up, I wanted to be in the medical field, more specifically, I wanted to be a nurse midwife. I never thought I would have a huge career change in my 30s.
My daughter wanted a tiny Leopard Gecko. However, when I got her this gecko, she was terrified of it, so I became its main caretaker. At that moment, I knew I had found a new love in my life of reptiles. In one year, I went from one gecko to about 10 different reptiles. Now, I own well over 30 reptiles and amphibians.
I didn’t have a lot of people in my life at the time who liked reptiles. Most people thought I was crazy for having them in my home. That’s when I decided to find more peers to share my new hobby with.
I saw an ad on Facebook looking for volunteers at the Aquarium. I remembered that they had reptiles, so I looked to see if there was an opportunity to work with them. I didn’t see anything, but there was an “other” box, so I put “ANY THING WITH REPTILES” — just like that!
Within a few days, I got a call for an interview. When I saw what they called the wet lab, I knew I was home.
I came into the Aquarium as a volunteer in 2018. At the time, I worked in the wet lab under (former Guest Engagement Manager) Susie Grant, who was over the Aquarium’s ambassador animals at that time. It was Susie who encouraged me to go back to school and take part in the Aquarium’s summer fellowship.
I was nervous to start a new chapter in my life. At the time, I was a single mom with four kids. I didn’t think I could do it, but I sure wanted to try. I went back to school, and in May of 2019, I did my fellowship, which was the best opportunity I ever got to be a part of. I am so thankful to Susie for the push and the encouragement, and I strive to pick up where she left off.
Since you’ve been at the Aquarium, can you name an experience or event that you can personally take pride in? Whether it was an event you were part of, got to witness, or something that you got to experience firsthand, what is something that has left a mark on you at the Tennessee Aquarium and made a lasting memory for you?
The first big experience I had the chance to be a part of here at the Aquarium was during my internship. I had the amazing opportunity to be there when baby penguins were hatching. I was able to hold them at just a few days old, and I literally had to hold back tears because it’s not every day you can hold a baby penguin!
My all-time favorite picture I have is of me here at the Aquarium with several penguins surrounding me while I am feeding them with a smile. Those moments are the most powerful moments of my career so far.
What is the kind of legacy you’d like to leave on a professional or personal level? How would you like to be best remembered in the future and what kind of lessons, if any, would you like to pass on to Black people who may follow your career path?
My passion is to educate, first and foremost! I want to show how important all of the animals here at the Aquarium are. I want them to see that each animal has a purpose, from rodent control all the way to keeping our oceans clean and healthy.
I want to build relationships with those who I work with and not only teach them what I know but also learn from them as well.
Animal ambassadors are my heart! I say all the time that the ambassador animals get out and work with us, that they are our coworkers. By the time I walk out these doors — in the far future — I dream of expanding the role of our ambassadors. I’d like to add even more enrichment programs and increase the diversity of our team of ambassador animals.
As a Black educator and herpetologist, I know it is not the “norm” for our culture. I want all little Black children to know that they can get outside and get dirty, that they can learn about that weird insect, that they can hold that nonvenomous snake, that they can embrace outdoors and love nature. I want them to know that you can be who you want, accomplish what you want!
Tanisha La Guardia in the Penguins' Rock gallery working as an Aquarium intern
