We’re looking forward to introducing you to Tamara Leigh. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Tamara, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve been on kind of a spiritual journey in 2025. I’ve been tuning into my connection to my ancestors so I make sure to share gratitude and acknowledgement of them every morning. I try to have slower mornings where I walk and collect myself, just feel the ground under my feet, notice things, say hi to the butterfly flying by me or the little lizard that sits on my mailbox. I’ve been digging literally into the roots and soil growing things in my office. All of those little things, those simple things have been giving me so much joy. But even more than joy, peace. In times like these you have to be able to find that above all else.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tamara Leigh. I’m originally from Rochester, NY and relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida about 5years ago. I am an LGBTQIA+ Advocate, Educator and Activist. I own Blaque/OUT Equity and Inclusivity Architects, where I consult on a myriad of projects and work with businesses, universities and organizations across the country to work towards inclusive and safer spaces for Black, Brown, Queer and Trans faculty, customers, students, and clientele. I am also the Editor of Blaque/OUT Magazine, a monthly digital magazine that centers Black, Queer culture and will be celebrating it’s 5 year anniversary in September. I am the founder of Tampa Bay Black Lesbians, a 501c3 that provides resources and safe spaces for Black, Queer women in the Tampa Bay area. And I’m the newly appointed LGBTQ+ Chair of the St. Petersburg Branch of the NAACP. I am also the very proud Mom of my two boys, Zaire & Zayden.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In 2012, I was living in Rochester, NY when Trayvon Martin was murdered. I had two young sons that looked very much like him and his death, his absolutely unnecessary death hit me incredibly hard. Myself and two friends organized a march to demand that his murderer be charged federally for his death. It was one of the first protests outside of Florida and then demonstrations started spreading all over the country. Which was profound and beautiful. We hoped for 50 people. We gave some speeches and began marching down Main St. chanting and leading the crowd. About half way through, I paused and turned around and there were thousands and thousands of people walking behind us. People had signs and were carrying iced teas and skittles. We called it the 1,000 Hoodie March and you just saw an endless sea of people walking behind us, hoods up. It was that moment that I understood what we could accomplish and create if we came together. I was heartbroken and proud and overwhelmed but so so inspired. It was that moment that I knew that was the way I’d spend the rest of my life. It changed me forever and absolutely shaped how I see the world. The ugliness but also the startling beauty.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I don’t know that it’s necessarily hiding it but more so finding a voice for it. I think it’s a lifelong journey. Being Black in this country. Being Queer or Trans brings so much challenge, discrimination and just completely unjustified hatred. When your life is built on the intersection of multiple strategically marginalized communities- alot of pain comes with that. You can allow it to beat you down, deter you, scare you into submission or you can find a voice for it and start screaming from the highest mountain top. When you learn to do that and start fighting for yourself, you can start fighting for your whole community and more importantly teach them or inspire them to fight for themselves.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I’m a very private person. There are very few people I feel completely comfortable around to open up to. But I am 100% authentic. What you see is pretty much what you get. So most people don’t get all of me. But if you meet me, you get the real me. My personal integrity means alot and so I think to maintain that you have to be real. I am personally very introverted but professionally fairly outgoing. I do alot of public speaking in front of large crowds and teaching I have to be able to engage and reach people so you might get the impression I’m extroverted but I’m actually very shy.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will remember me as having left the world better than I found it. I hope they’ll remember my passion and my work. I hope the history and culture in Blaque/OUT Magazine will live on long beyond me. I hope I’ll be remembered as someone who inspired people and changed lives. I hope I’ll be remembered for the work and things I created in Rochester, my hometown. I hope the people whose lives I touched remember me. I hope the story they tell is about a whole lot of kicking down doors and shaking tables. But honestly the story I care about most is the one my sons will tell. I hope they remember me as loving them fearlessly, being a great mom and teaching them, protecting them. I hope they can sit around together as old men and reminisce about a thousand great moments we shared and that they both still call me mommy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blaqueout.com
- Instagram: @tamblaqueout
- Linkedin: Tamara Leigh
- Facebook: @TamaraLeigh
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blaqueoutmagtv
- Other: To learn more about the NAACP #5130 LGBTQ Committee, email: lgbtq.naacp.stpete@gmail.com
