MENTORSHIP SETS THE STAGE FOR A SINGING CAREER

Tah-Jae’s STORY

---

Tah-Jae Franklyn is at home on the stage. This 22-year-old singer is a graduate of Friends of the Children – Seattle, and she believes the program offered the support she needed as a child, helping her find her spark.

“Friends of the Children was a huge part of my support system,” recalls Tah-Jae. “They fought for me, believed in me, and they helped open so many doors.”

Tah-Jae joined Friends – Seattle in first grade, a challenging time in her life. She lived with her single mother and two siblings after her father died by suicide. She was a talkative kid, whose attempts at connection with fellow students often led to punishments that further isolated Tah-Jae. Being labeled as a “problem child” by teachers compounded the grief and sadness she was already feeling after the loss of her father.

Friends of the Children was a huge part of my support system. They fought for me, believed in me, and they helped open so many doors.

_{^{– Tah-Jae Franklyn}}

Friends of the Children was a positive change in her life, as she met Sheena—her first Friend in the program. Sheena helped Tah-Jae find her groove in school and work through her feelings. They spent lots of time hanging out with girls Tah-Jae’s age, building new friendships. They also worked on her school lessons and Tah-Jae began to see that when she put her mind to it, she was a quick learner.

Around the age of 9, Tah-Jae was doing better in school and making friends when a milestone moment occurred: Sheena enrolled Tah-Jae in singing lessons with an organization called Arts in Motion. Through singing, Tah-Jae discovered her deep passion for music.

“I learned so much when I started singing,” says Tah-Jae. “I found a confidence I didn’t know I had… I could explore my potential how I wanted to, not be told what to do.”

Once Tah-Jae started singing, she never stopped, and Sheena and other Friends were there to walk alongside her the whole way. Tah-Jae continued lessons and began performing often at Friends – Seattle events and other opportunities in her community. In her freshman year, Tah-Jae began studying at The Residency, a nonprofit seeking to build a community of young hiphop artists.

Tah-Jae’s first big performance was at a concert at Seattle Symphony Hall, where she met Russell Wilson and Ciara, who were there with the Why Not You Foundation. She continued studying with The Residency, learning about her craft, and working with teachers, singers, and other students. She also had the exciting opportunity to meet Macklemore, a founder of The Residency.

Last year, Tah-Jae performed two original songs, opening for Macklemore for 14,000+ people at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena. She’s also sung at national conferences in Seattle and works with a nonprofit called Bloodworks, providing community outreach to break the misconceptions about giving blood. All the while, Tah-Jae is working to make music her career.

“Friends of the Children genuinely cared for me. They were a safety net that I needed, and they told me, ‘We’re not going to let you fail,’” says Tah-Jae. “Now I have the confidence and determination to follow my dreams and make an impact in the lives of others.”

Tah-Jae and Sheena are still in contact. Tah-Jae knows her life has been changed by her Friend and by music

“Singing has saved me, and still does—every day,” Tah-Jae shares. “To understand I can take that love and pursue it is incredible. Because people believed in my dreams and invested in me, I have the confidence and determination to say, ‘this is exactly where I’m supposed to be, and I know it won’t be easy. But nothing worth doing is going to be easy.’”