When I applied to be a Policy Fellow at the Institute, I didn’t think I would get the job. I sent my application and sort of forgot about it, despite setting up an interview shortly after. The morning of my interview with Dr. Lauren Murfree, I had woken up only 20 mins prior to seeing the email that the interview was soon. I scrambled so fast out of bed to make that call! 

Now looking back on that day last year, it seems like it was so long ago; yet, the policy fellows’ program didn’t seem quite long enough to learn all that I wanted to from the wonderful Team Institute. I didn’t know what to expect to go into this fellowship experience, I was excited and utterly terrified. Being on this program at INCAP has been so rewarding and challenging and I’ve learned so much about research, program tools, and how legislation works. 

It has been so fun getting to know the team, they all are so unique and intelligent in their own ways. Dr. Erin Macey, the head of the program, is cunning. I keep saying it and I won’t stop: she has the best poker face. When she engages in testimony, she is commanding and electrifying. Dr. Lauren Murfree is the most organized mind I have ever met. She is so fast with information and is great at utilizing program tools. Ashley knows how to connect with people in both a deep and lighthearted way. She is so passionate about her focus topics and knows how to get her point across. Ms. Deb is an absolute treasure. I have never worked with someone so caring and thoughtful. She is full of great advice and experience. Zia and Olivia are the youngest of the crew and honestly, I am impressed by them every time I see them. They are so professional and motivated; both are enthusiastic and skilled in what they do. Roshawn is the other Policy Fellow that started with me, and I am so glad that she and I were chosen for this program. She really understands the bigger picture and is so strong in her advocacy. I’m glad that she and I could share our experiences with the team. 

It is both strange yet seemingly fateful that we have all come together. When I am with some of the team at the statehouse, it really does feel like us against the world. Not literally, but with how crazy those days are… you would be left feeling that way. The statehouse is an exciting struggle. I get an inner voice that sounds like Jennifer Coolidge telling me, “Don’t go….” to which I must know when to ignore and when not to. The first time I heard that voice in my head, that trip to Indianapolis and being at the statehouse didn’t go very smoothly. As a worsening sinus infection made me feel much like a walking corpse the whole time as I was there doing advocacy that day. I am glad to have a mentor that takes such good care of me. I’m not sure what I would have done without her that day. 

In the many opportunities I’ve had to go to the statehouse, I’ve been able to meet with many legislators. My favorite experience was with Senator Qaddoura who shared so many encouraging words with me about me being engaged and advocating for others in need. I also have loved my time people-watching at the statehouse, looking at the beautiful architecture, and the energy when certain Representatives and Senators speak on hard topics. I love watching Representative Matt Pierce talk energetically, because I too sometimes do the same movements when excited. It is a wild time at the statehouse, as sometimes stuff happens so fast that you’re not entirely sure what just happened in a committee meeting or vote. There are intense moments where everyone is listening and planning quickly to ensure their concerns are taken into consideration during the lawmaking process. Sometimes, whatever strategy you had goes completely out the window when giving testimony or you work so hard on testimony to never get the opportunity to share it on the legislation your concerned about. It’s okay, because there are always other ways to share your story such as 1:1 with a legislator or a staffer and in some cases with the media, which is what I did when I couldn’t testify on HB 1662. 

All this to say, I will be taking these skills with me and hopefully continue to build on them. Last year, I didn’t know I would be doing all of this. I didn’t realize how much I would be getting to know Lauren Murfree. That fate would really bring us together, Lauren has been so welcoming to me. Inviting me into her home multiple times throughout this fellowship to carpool to the Statehouse. The gifts she has thoughtfully put together for me, the dinners she had made from scratch and shared with me. I really couldn’t have asked for a better mentor. In general, I couldn’t have asked for a better team, they are the most supportive and I have learned so much from all of them.  

I will always look back on this experience fondly and carry it with me for the rest of my life. I am so proud to be part of this team and all the work that they do. After this, I’ll be going back to being a sous chef full-time, spending some of my free time building up my garden, looking into grants to start a grassroots community garden in my neighborhood. Honestly, lots of big plans for the next few years, and because of this fellowship, I have been able to unlock more opportunities to share the knowledge I have acquired by involving myself in grassroots organizing and speaking publicly at non-profit conferences.