A Conversation With Diana Reyes Williams by Ernesto Chavezvaldivia

Could you tell me a little bit about yourself and some of your accomplishments that people may not be aware of?

So, I am a proud 59-year-old woman, a 59-year-young woman, I say. I’m grateful for every experience of my life, and I think it’s brought me to where I am today. Proud of the fact that I was able to retire at the age of 56 because when I talk to my nephews, they’re like, “How old were you when you retired?” which was only three years ago. But I realized that it was part of my goal and plan in life to overcome some of the obstacles I’ve had and by being self-sustaining, independent, and secure. Maybe people don’t know that my first job was at 14 years old and I worked through the CETA program, which for those who don’t know was the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act program enacted by President Nixon in 1973. And I didn’t know this at the time because I was 14 years old and I was excited to get a job, but it was for low-income families and I think it was the best thing in my life because my first job was working at a middle school and I had just left middle school to go into high school. So when I look back I think “Oh my god, I was working at 14. So bizarre.” Now you can’t work unless you’re 16 and you have a permit. But to have that experience meant I also had money to help my mom because she was a single parent and I learned good work ethics. I knew a job was going to help me feel secure.

And were you the oldest child?

Yes, I’m the oldest of five and my parents divorced when I was five. So, if I get emotional…

No, that’s okay. So, the responsibility to help your mom fell on you since you were the oldest. Did you see that affect your siblings in any way?

No, they were oblivious to any of that stuff. I don’t even know if they remember because we grew up in a chaotic environment. There were five of us, often in small homes. So, there was just a lot going on. Just trying to stay sane.

And the times were so different. I can’t even imagine myself at 14 being mature enough to go and clock in somewhere and put in hours to then hand my check over to my mom so she can pay rent or utilities. You must’ve grown up really fast.

Well, I didn’t give it all to her. I was allowed to keep some of it and so in a way, there was a little bit of privilege to that. Because I did that, by the time I was working we finally had a two-bedroom house that had enough space to create a third bedroom. So this was when I was transitioning into 9th grade and our dining room was located in a section of the house where we could add an accordion door, which provided me with privacy and my own room. So there was a little bit of privilege there but it was something that I had earned. I bought my door, I bought my stereo, and I had a phone that I paid for. So, despite being a big sister with responsibilities, I was independent in a way. Kind of strange when I think about it.

Did you find it difficult to balance going through high school and eventually graduating while having a job?

The jobs were during summer because during the school year I was involved in sports, clubs, and leadership. My freshman year I decided to change my group of friends because I didn’t want to hang out in a “hang out” environment. I knew I wanted to be more because of my experience meeting my mentor in 7th grade.

Which leads me into my next question. Was that the first memory you have of an influential mentor in your life?

Yes, and that’s a memory I share often because when I was in 7th grade I was a bully. I used to pick fights. I look back and I know it was just pure aggression and frustration on my part. It was probably the impact of growing up in my home environment. So, one time I was called into the vice principal’s office because she found out I had gotten in a fight on my way home. Her name is Ms. Bateman, and she brought me into her office and told me she didn’t understand why I was behaving the way I was behaving. She knew my mom because my mom worked as the lunch lady at school. She also shared with me things that changed me in an instant. She told me I was a leader. That I was better than what I was and I believed her. And if it wasn’t for that moment I don’t think I would be the person I am today. I give her credit because I know some educators don’t take that time to recognize kids and their potential. And she’s still alive by the way! Her name is Ms. Bateman and I’ve since reached out to her to thank her for everything. Bt 8th grade, I decided to run for Student Body Vice President and was elected by my classmates. I was becoming a leader.

Her words affected you immediately.

Oh yeah. And that’s all I needed because I didn’t have that in my life.

Right. Meeting Ms. Bateman, and having her words affect you so deeply at that age, did it then give you a different idea of who to surround yourself with?

Yes, absolutely. When I went to high school, I started hanging out with different friends, became more involved in extracurricular activities, and was exposed to different lifestyles. Many of my friends were from upper-middle-class neighborhoods with whom I shared choir and leadership classes. In that environment, I met some great people who were different from me as far as living environments and conditions yet similar to me because they were studious. I am still friends with many of them to this day. We just celebrated our 40th reunion in 2019!

When you graduated, did you head straight to college?

I went straight to college. I went to the most boring college ever, Cal State LA. And there’s a story behind that because having gone to a high school where I was actively involved, to a college that looked like a concrete jungle to me, I realized it just wasn’t for me. I attended for two years working on my general education courses and worked during that time even though I had a full-ride grant. By the end of my second year, I was just done. It was not for me. So I worked. Next thing you know, I had a son and needed to find a better job, so I found one at a credit union in LA which offered benefits and a decent wage. At this job, I opened new accounts for the City of LA employees who were our members. I would always chat them up and ask them what they did for work. They would talk to me about their incredible health plans, and a couple of times they suggested I apply. Well, one day I decided to take the day off from work and take a test at the City of LA personnel department. I scored high enough to get an interview that same day and was hired on the spot by the Department of Building and Safety. I spent one year there and 30 in Public Works, working my way through the ranks without a college degree, eventually retiring at 56! I say that with excitement because I think that if I can do this, anybody can. You have to be persistent, you have to have goals and you have to…

Be willing to walk through that open door when it does open...

Yes, exactly! And sometimes we don’t know whether it’s the right door or not but if we walk through it we always end up figuring it out and perhaps are led through another one.

You mentioned being at the City of LA for 31 years. Is that where you met Suzanne?

I was at the Board of Public Works when I met Suzanne. I’d been there for four years before she came on board, which at first was as a coworker, and later, she was appointed our supervisor, where she realized she’d been thrown into a tough situation within our office. We’d been asking for better balance regarding the dynamics of supervision, which led to a bit of resistance. A couple of times Suzanne and I butted heads due to my feistiness but eventually, we got to know each other and gravitated towards one another. She was becoming my mentor before I even knew it. Which you know, your supervisor isn’t always your mentor.

Oh trust me, I know.

Right? And so, out of this relationship developed a friendship. I knew she was a wise woman based on her experiences and the stories she shared. So, I listened and you know…

Soaked it all in.

I soaked it up. And we shared personal stories, personal experiences, and we became good friends. She’s a great mentor, and I’m so grateful. Not everyone is willing to be mentored. Sometimes we need to receive what is being given.

Had she already begun work on A Mentor At Your Fingertips? Or was that something that came about later?

I think that was something she was already working on. I knew she wanted to write. She is an excellent writer. My union executive board hired her after she retired, which was three or four years before I retired. She was hired to develop training programs for my union members to help enhance their current job and to promote. What she brought to us was her knowledge and experience from working in the management series in the City of Los Angeles. She shared insight on how to interview and how to be a better test taker. My members took the training and many of them promoted, which was exciting because I believe if you want to do something you can do it. It’s about having the right tools and the eagerness to promote.

You’ve now partnered with her and developed the A Mentor At Your Fingertips blog. What do you hope to deliver through the blog?

I love to share stories and experiences. I love to write. I write songs. I’m that deep empathizer who goes to church and sees somebody else’s pain and feels it. I think that’s my gift and I want to inspire.

That’s a big word right now especially. People need some inspiration.

This moment right now is so defining for people.

What’s a favorite piece of advice or quote you’ve heard?

Well, I have a favorite message from the City of LA that I love to share with people which goes, “Keep your ears open, your eyes open, and your mouth closed.” Just say nice things. I love quotes. Behind me are: “Explore the unfamiliar,” “She believed she could, so she did,” and “Climb, there’s only one way.” Those were gifts but they’re spot on with who I am.

I got a magnet once that says “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” and I love it.

That’s something everyone can expect right? In every blog post you’ll start with a quote unique for the message you’re about to share. I look forward to them.

The thought of that made me nervous at first because I’m not professionally trained but I’ve always been a good writer. Customer service is my biggest strength, so I think it’ll come across in my writing along with my positivity.

Finally, how can someone get in touch with you?

Facebook is my platform. Diana Reyes Williams. I share a lot of personal information, and I can be silly but serious at the same time. I don’t take myself as seriously as I used to anymore because we just change you know?

Thank you for the conversation today. Do you have a parting message?

Just believe, and try. Nothing will happen if you don’t try. It may not happen right away but don’t give up. Don’t give up because there’s something for all of us that is meant to put us where we’re supposed to be. A few years ago I was a public servant, a title I will always embrace, and today I am a businesswoman.