Mahalia Holden

Welcome back to Stories of Chicago! Introducing, Mahalia Holden , an exceptional Global Strategy and Business Operations Analyst Intern, whose internship journey concludes this Friday! A remarkable individual, blending her outspoken nature, authentic self-expression, infectious sense of humor, and unwavering work ethic. Fearlessly sharing her ideas and creative solutions, she has left a lasting impact in the Chicago LinkedIn office! Her ability to foster an inclusive work environment has made her a true team player, while her humor has brought joy to every interaction.

"What event has been so impactful that it changed the trajectory of your life?"

Summer of 2021 was such a crazy and fun time! To start, like about 6 million American's that year, I found myself on unemployment. But I'm not one to sit idle, you know? Since high school I’ve been in relations with the Chicago nonprofit, Earth’s Remedies . With the nonprofit blowing up in 2020 and being Tutored by the founder, our close connection handed me an opportunity at being their media intern! During my time producing and helping wherever I could, I made sure to have some fun too. I attended Riot Fest, and man, it was an epic experience. The energy, the music, the atmosphere - it was super lit.??

But the real highlight of summer 2021 was when I decided to take a two-week backpacking trip to Yosemite National Park with 9 other girls in the Armstrong Scholars Program . Now, I've spent my entire life in Chicago, and this was my chance to break free from the city hustle and immerse myself in nature's beauty. It was a life-changing journey, and the serenity of the wilderness truly touched my soul, along with the strong, ambitious, trustful, and funny group of girls who walked over 10+ miles every day with me! It was like a revelation - there's so much more to life than just the city grind. So, when summer 2022 came around, I was pumped.??

I wanted it to be just as epic as the previous one, especially because it was a post-pandemic world, and we were all ready to make the most of it. That Yosemite trip had ignited a newfound passion for nature in me, and I wanted to continue that journey. That's when I got the opportunity to be a camp counselor at a sleepaway camp in southern Illinois.??

But let me tell you, things didn't quite go as planned at that camp. To be honest, I should have been a Girl Scout counselor instead. I was stoked to meet new people and have an amazing time, but there were these other counselors who were not from the city like me. They were decent folks, I suppose, but they just didn't get what it was like to be a Chicagoan. They called our city "Chiraq," which compares our city to a war zone. It doesn’t give a good definition to this city in any way, so it didn't sit well with me. I mean, if you're truly from Chicago, you don't call it that - it's just plain disrespectful.

We got into a heated argument about it, and it caused some serious tension among us. As the days passed, things just got worse. They started nitpicking everything I did and made a big deal out of the smallest things. It felt like they were singling me out because I was the only one from the city and the only Black counselor among them. The racial dynamics made it even harder for me to feel comfortable there. I tried talking to them, explaining my perspective, but it was like talking to several brick walls. They just couldn't see beyond their own limited views. Eventually, the whole situation became too much for me to handle emotionally. I ended up crying and feeling so frustrated with it all. I had gone there with so much excitement, and now it felt like I was being pushed to my limit. It was really tough. They even tried to get me to sleep in a different building from them! While I wasn't in the wrong, they couldn't see past me and my perspective, eventually isolating me. In the end, I had my support system drive 5 hours to pick me up after 1 week of a job that not only advertised themselves to the underprivileged communities in Chicago but also didn't have an ounce of understanding for the people in them.

"How did the experience of encountering ignorance and a lack of self-awareness in others during your time as a camp counselor shape your perception of people? Did it make you more hesitant or fearful to take on similar roles or participate in events, such as summer camps, in the future? And how did this experience influence the way you view the world and interact with different demographics?"

I wouldn't say it made me fearful because I'm always going to do what I aspire to do. But amidst all the chaos and disappointment, I had an epiphany. This experience made me realize just how much I appreciated Chicago and its vibrant, diverse communities. Sure, the city has its challenges, but there's something about the people here and the resilience we carry that makes it special. We might call it the "Windy City" or "Chi-Town," but we don't call it "Chiraq." There are definitely people I know in my life who have experienced firsthand the results of gun/gang violence, so while I and many others could never fully comprehend their experiences, we're also not ignorantly carrying their burdens on our shoulders. It's just not cool, you know? I believe it's a perception that gives limiting opportunities.

Through all the ups and downs, I learned to value open-mindedness more than ever. I had met some incredible folks during my backpacking trip in Yosemite - people from all walks of life, and they appreciated my stories about Chicago. It made me realize that being open to different perspectives and experiences is crucial for personal growth, and the worst thing you can ever do is invalidate another's.

"I'd like to conclude by asking you: What piece of advice would you give to someone in your position?"

So, my advice to anyone out there is this: be open-minded, but also, don't let others' opinions hold you back. I've seen too many people limiting themselves, sticking to their comfort zones, and missing out on the beauty of the world. There's so much out there to explore, so many perspectives to learn from. Embrace it all, and you'll grow in ways you never imagined. And as for me, yeah, I still want to explore new places - California, maybe even beyond. But no matter where life takes me, Chicago will always hold a special place in my heart. It's my home, and it's a part of who I am. But hey, life is about growth and experiences, and I'm ready to take it all in, with an open mind and an open heart.