Feb 25

Feb 25 Celebrating Black History Month: TK Busby

February is a great month for so many reasons: Valentine's Day, The Superbowl, spring nearing around the corner! But, I think we can all agree that this month hosts a most important purpose: Black History Month. In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to take a moment to sit down with a few of our black teammates to discuss which historical figures inspire them in their careers, personally, and in other areas of their lives. Today, we have the pleasure of diving deeper with TK Busby, an excited, electrified Leasing Consultant for Signature 1505 in efforts to recognize those who came before us and how they have left a lasting legacy even to this day.

When we interviewed TK, we were eager to hear who has inspired her not only in her career but also her personal life. TK is an avid writer, as she is currently working diligently to get her second master’s degree in English with the hopes of becoming a professor one day. She is working towards also getting her doctorate degree. With this in mind, TK said she was inspired by so many writers and authors that she has come across in her studies. However, one personally speaks to her more than others: Amanda Gorman. She was born in Los Angeles, CA to a single mother and her two siblings. Growing up, she always described herself as the “weird child” who would rather read and write than watch television or play video games. Gorman was very successful in school, graduating from a university she was accepted into with a full scholarship, and proceeding to graduate from Harvard cum laude. She became the first poet laureate LA had ever had in 2014, where she then went on to become National Poet Laureate in 2017. Gorman has read her poetry on a national level on multiple occasions, but her most notable performance was Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021, where she performed her piece “The Hill We Climb”. – You can learn more about Amanda Gorman by clicking this link!

TK was not only inspired by the performance itself, but inspired by Amanda as a person as well. “I am a writer, so I appreciated how she formed the speech and what she put into it, and how eloquent it came out. I respected how she presented it so much.”

Not only has TK been inspired by famous writers, but also by those who taught her along the way. She recalls that one of her biggest inspirations in her life was her English 101 professor, David. While she was getting her associates degree, she was curious about getting into English, but states that he affirmed her passion for writing and English all together. His lessons inspired her as a writer, and as a leasing agent at Signature 1505 as well. She said, “He made the environment so friendly and would take the time to spend one on one with his students, and that has translated into being a leasing agent too.” TK talked about how becoming personable and understanding who comes into their office each day has been extremely beneficial for her success, and that it’s a lesson she wishes to use in the future in her current role and a role where she may one day be a professor as well. “Career wise, he showed me how to be a mentor,” she said. “How he interacts with his students has taught me how to interact with people when they come into the office every single day.”

As we began to wrap our interview up, she had a plethora of literary references to share, as listed below. Her recommendations for celebrating Black History Month? “Find black people who have achieved their goals that you can relate to,” said TK. “Google is great for that! Dive into people who aren’t talked about and take the time to do the research.” She states that she is learning more herself every day, especially during this time to celebrate her history. “You don’t have to know everything about it to celebrate it. Give people your spotlight and let them shine!”

I think I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say thank you, TK, for taking the time to offer your perspective and inspiration to all of us at The Preiss Company. We had such a great time getting to know you and see things through your lens!

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