By Catie George, Director, Communications & Storytelling
Tameji Berry is the first Black woman to be appointed as Dallas Assistant Fire Chief, and to celebrate Black History Month, she shared her insights into how her personal journey became a vehicle for community transformation.
“Throughout my journey, my role models have been my maternal grandmother and my mother. Their philosophy is simple: help and give to anyone in need, as what may seem like a little to you can be an abundance for others,” she said. “They both taught me the importance of giving more than I receive, and I believe this mindset is partly why I have been rewarded in life.”
Berry’s leadership is grounded in a sense of purpose that extends beyond personal achievement.
“My role is tied to my divine purpose of serving others. With each phase of growth and achievement that I attain, I want to ensure that there are people who benefit positively from it. It is important to me that my leadership is not the only one and not the last one.”
Berry uses a proactive approach to creating her own place in professional spaces.
“I adopted the mindset that I needed to bring my chair to the table because there may never be a seat for me. This meant creating opportunities where none existed. My advice to others is to gain a clear understanding that to disrupt a system, you must be willing to be different, potentially seen as controversial, and commit to the process. Ultimately, the rewards are much greater than the sacrifices.”
Berry has used her success to help those in the broader community.
“I leverage my leadership position to help others connect and build relationships. Being a Dallas native, I am deeply committed to supporting and serving the community where I grew up. As a dedicated public servant and advocate for inclusion, my goal is to exemplify effective leadership and foster positive relationships through community outreach.”
This grounding in community, combined with professional excellence, creates a powerful foundation for sustained impact despite challenges.
“I have guided my career with competence and dignity to take control of my own narrative. I believe in allowing my work to speak for itself, which helps me remain unaffected by naysayers. I stay grounded in my faith and view every situation—whether good, bad, or indifferent—as a chance to learn and grow.”
Berry’s resilience enabled not just personal achievement but the creation of Camp L.A.D.D.E.R. (Ladies Achieving Dreams with Dedication, Enthusiasm, and Respect) to encourage young girls to explore careers in the fire service, creating opportunities for future generations.
“I have had a unique opportunity not only to make history but also to create a legacy. My goal is to provide access to resources in areas that have historically been closed off or challenging for the Black community, particularly for Black women.”