Page 197 - From the Outhouse 4 -21

197 | P A T R I C I A R A E M E R R I T T W H A T L E Y

“A Tribute to Nana Pat”

~ From Alexis, Kamili’s Daughter ~

Having a person in your life who always gives you a reminder of how special and unique you are can be one of the greatest things ever.

In my life, that special person is my grandmother who I call “Nana Pat.” She was born in Sanford, Florida, in 1943. My Nana used
her gift for teaching and sharing her knowledge. She had a love for giving back that was undeniable, and with her talents she knew she

was destined for greatness.

Patricia Whatley has made a huge impact in Sanford, Central, Florida. Her work in education with mentally challenged students from

8 AM to 3 PM was just not enough so she founded an afterschool performing arts program in her home in 1988, starting with 10

students. Her efforts didn't go unnoticed. The Seminole County Mayor and Commissioners voted to donate a building to house
Tajiri Performing Arts School and Museum. Tajiri, which was named after my father, means "Rich" in Swahili – an African language.

She received many honors because of it, which included “Seminole County Teacher of the Year” and the “Humanitarian Award”
given by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She was also featured on the Florida Public

Broadcasting System highlighting Tajiri's historical tour entitled, Sanford Out of The Dust: Ancestorial Path to Dignity Tour, written

by her. Its twenty-year history eventually taught over 3,500 students. Her mission was to enrich the African-American student's
knowledge of their rich local heritage, teach self-discipline, respect, and gain a sense of personal identity. She continued to work hard,

no matter the obstacles, to guide all students she encountered, and that's something I applaud.

My Nana has motivated me to become a better person beyond measure. Along with my Mom, she took the initiative to give me the
tools in becoming a strong African-American young adult. I wasn't always confident in the skin I was in and the abilities I was

capable of. She has taught me to embrace and be proud of every inch of who I am. She instilled the importance of recognizing the

beauty within myself and the power I have in achieving miraculous things. My Nana is a huge supporter of my acting career and