What The Tree of Life Can Teach Us About Transitions | Tana Jenkins | TEDxPrincetonWomen

How can we find the courage to successfully handle life’s transitions? In a fresh take on this age-old challenge, spellbinding storyteller Tana Jenkins looks to lore from throughout the African Diaspora to explore some of what the ancient Baobab Tree can teach us about drawing strength from our ancestors, letting go of dead branches, bringing our seed with us, and reaching for the light.

Tana Jenkins’s life has been a study in transitions. A reformed attorney turned author who’s lived many places, and worked on both sides of the aisle, Tana spent a decade as a Public Defender for the State of New Jersey, where she represented thousands of people and had the honor of learning about the various inflection points that shaped their lives. During her time in New Jersey, she also served on the Supreme Court Criminal Practice Committee, helping to draft sweeping bail reform legislation that has been hailed as a model for the nation. Tana is also a former Assistant Attorney General for the United States Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, U.S.V.I. Shortly after her short story, Little Black Ugly, was nominated for a Pushcart, Tana decided to make her own transition into full-time writing. Tana is a founding member of the Get Write To It Girls, writing accountability group, and her debut novel, Midnight Beacon, is due out in 2021. Follow her @LoveTanaJenkins and learn more at: tanajenkins.com Tana Jenkins knows a thing or two about transitions. She is a reformed attorney who’s lived many places and worn many hats. A graduate of NYC’s Fordham University School of Law, Tana spent ten years as a Public Defender for the State of New Jersey. During her time in New Jersey, she also served on the Supreme Court Criminal Practice Committee and helped draft massive bail reform legislation that has been a model for the nation. She’s also served as an Assistant Attorney General for the United States Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, U.S.V.I. However, shortly after her short story, Little Black Ugly, was nominated for a Pushcart, Tana decided to take the leap into full time writing. Tana is a founding member of the Get Write To It Girls, writing accountability group, and her debut novel, Midnight Beacon, is due out in 2021. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx