Teneeshia Marshall

Teneeshia Marshall Cares Not Just Because It’s Her Job; She’s Been In Their Shoes

Story By: Mia Brabham

Teneeshia Marshall, the Director for the Office of Equity and Inclusion for the City of Gainesville, embodies the true meaning of care and compassion. When speaking with the Iraq war vet, it’s impossible not to recognize that genuineness is built into her bones — and her empathy has only grown from both her own personal experiences and this role.

“I always laugh, because I literally fell into public service,” Marshall says with a smile.

It has not been a straight or traditional path for Marshall. She served in the military and moved every few years, struggling to find footing anywhere as she enrolled and disenrolled from school because of the location changes. Then, she became an executive assistant and met Barbara.

“I took this job because I needed a job,” she laughs. “She saw something in me that, honestly, at the time I didn’t see in myself.”

Barbara taught her how to network and took her to events where she met elected officials and met members of the community. When Marshall learned and expressed that she was interested in civil rights, Barbara immediately told her “let’s get you those job skills that you need.”

“She actually groomed me to be in the seat I’m in today. The role that I have is actually equivalent to her role when I was her executive assistant.”

Marshall mentions that Barbara was her first real female mentor, and that she was a white woman. As someone who worked in civil rights, she spoke candidly to Marshall about the challenges she’d face in the workplace as a Black woman.

“She did everything she could do as a white woman to prepare me for some of those barriers.”

That was in 2007. Marshall still keeps up with her today. “I have to say that I am incredibly blessed to have had so many women mentors in my life.”

When Marshall left, she fell under the wings of several more female mentors who were women of color and have helped her to where she is today. Now, her daily mission is to lift up others in the way she’s been taught, mentored, and lifted.

“There is no better feeling for me than giving back. I try to give back because people have taken chances on me. I try to make sure I pay that forward.”

Marshall does this today in her role as Director for the Office of Equity and Inclusion, a position she’s been in for two years.

“I love this job because I get to help people. I have been a public servant my entire adult career and I can’t see myself anywhere else.”

Marshall’s core responsibility falls within the employment realm. Every day, she and her team ensures that employers are following federal, state, and local laws.

“Let’s say someone works at a store and feels discriminated against because of their gender, then they can come to our office and file a complaint. Or if it’s based on race or religion or their national origin or disability … we will investigate it,” Marshall says. “The services are free.”

Her team calculates damages, like loss wages, pain and suffering, and more. They help people either get their jobs back or negotiate settlements. Although it is their job to remain neutral while investigating the facts, Marshall fully understands the gravity and importance of what she calls these “delicate conversations” that are had. She understands, because she’s been there.

“Part of my empathy comes from being on the other side of the table, filing an EO (equal opportunity) complaint myself.”

While Marshall served in the military, she filed a complaint for sexual assault. “I felt misinformed and there wasn’t a lot of information given to me about next steps and what was going to happen. There were definitely no conversations around retaliation (counterattack or revenge) and what that would look like, which I did start to experience. I remember going through that process feeling so alone, so isolated, and ostracized. I left that process feeling super defeated. I do believe in God and sometimes being placed in places you’re supposed to be, and I believe I was placed in this role because I know how it feels to be placed on the other side.”

“One of the things that I always, always say is that no matter whether I can help a person or not, they will never leave my office feeling like they have not been helped, like they are worthless, like they don’t have their dignity intact. I always promised myself that even if I couldn’t help everyone, no one would walk away feeling uncared for.”

She speaks to the importance of having empathy in this role. “The last thing we want to do is harm them even more.” On the job, Marshall has learned the sheer power of listening.

“Sometimes that’s the only opportunity they get to speak their piece. If it takes longer, that’s okay.” She emphasizes to her staff that they get people on what may be one of the worst days of their lives.

“They’ve lost a job, they’ve been sexually harassed, something bad has happened.” Listening not only provides the truest form of comfort, but it helps them do their jobs more thoroughly.

“Without active listening, you will start to miss things. I will tell you that investigators who truly listen are probably more effective investigators. By letting that person vent, and listening to them, you’ll get all of the answers they need. If someone in your office is cussing and yelling, but they’re telling that story in between, you’ve got to listen.”

“Sometimes when we step into this career field and we tell people that they have to be neutral, they take that as being void of feelings. When you’re trying to get people to open up about really sensitive things, really being yourself is what puts them at ease. … I’m still human. There are times I’ve cried with complainants.”

One time, Marshall’s complainant was an older woman who felt her job let her go because she was older. Marshall kept calling her to check on the case, only to find that the complainant passed away.

“I started bawling on the phone like I knew this woman. Like she was my mama.”

The complainant’s daughter drove all the way into Downtown Atlanta, which is not an easy feat, to give Marshall a hug, a comforting cookbook, and to thank her for caring about her mother and for not just closing the case. That moment has stuck with Marshall. Caring deeply in this role, and in general, does not go unnoticed or wasted.

“I want to be known as someone that fought for the rights of all people. People have the absolute right to come to work and have an environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Something that sounds so basic—such as a discrimination-free work environment—really is an issue for some employees in their workplaces. I just want to continue to be a part of their solutions.”

On the other side of trials and tribulations within the role, is success for the complainants who come to them for help.

“I can say it feels good when someone has lost their job and we are able to secure a settlement on their behalf or help them get their jobs back. Loss of employment can lead to so many other issues in life, including homelessness, so it always feels good to be a part of the solution.”

Marshall always remembers why she does what she does.

“I’ve fought some tough battles in life. I remember asking, ‘Why God do I have to go through this?’ I don’t want people to think ‘I’ve made it.’ I’m a Black woman in the workplace. Nothing in life has come easy and I have had to fight for everything I have, which is why I fight so hard for others.”

Her commander once told her, “Your mind is the strongest tool that you have. Your mind can help you overcome anything, including pain.”

Today, Marshall is an ambitious, adventurous, and empathetic woman leading an entire team to be better and more caring people with her set of values.

“I am here to serve the public because I work for them. I am here to listen and learn from them, as well. I have an open door and I am an open book.”

Her way of summing up what she sets out to do every day?

“Let’s talk about making someone whole again.”