Meet Trehon Cockrell-Coleman | Tucson Community Connector

We had the good fortune of connecting with Trehon Cockrell-Coleman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trehon, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
While working to achieve the right balance between my professional, personal life, and altruistic nature I have found to keep going when the work addresses a need and deficit. Even if the work weighs on you and shows no sign of life, the sincere thank you’ s will not allow you to give up. Somehow they always come at the moment when you need it most.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My 9-5 consist of being a Test Engineer which requires the thorough testing of processes, procedures and products. What sets me me apart from others is the ability to remain personable and professional. My other job is not high-tech but it allows me to interact with diverse individuals all while building effective working relationships and networks with members of the Southern Arizona community. Both provide me a chance to be uniquely Trehon. It was not easy adjusting to being an engineer. Leaving my family and loved ones and not knowing anyone in Tucson immediately after college was the second hardest thing I have done to date. Out of the loneliness and looking for a sense of community birthed the idea of creating a support system for myself. So I would introduce myself to people, exchange emails ask if there were gatherings taking place and where people who shared the same cultural experience that I did before arriving Tucson. To my surprise many of the people I met had the same experiences as I did. It was then that I committed myself to serve as a conduit to causes that culturally uplift my at-large community. Now looking back on this 13 year journey of meeting and getting-to-know-people to help foster my personal life-line here in Tucson has evolved to provide the same level of support to so many longing for wholesome community. I am learning the power of community especially if its authentic. In 2016, I placed the email addresses I had from the people I had met living in Tucson for six years. The list started with 25 people max. As I began to hear about events in the community the constant complaint was desiring to get the information out to people who may be interested but just not knowing where to start. I would ask the person to email the information to me and from there I would blast it out. From this small seed today the eblast consist of 325+ email addresses of residents, businesses and community organizations here in Tucson who have asked to be placed on Trehon’s TIME – Connections that Count list-serve. Today, the community eblast shares community events, flyers and announcements that champion culturally relevant causes that creates community. From 2021 to 2022 the Connections that Count email distribution increased by 87% . That’s why I say you should never despise humble and small beginnings. This year we are looking to receive a local sponsor to look into enhancing the list-serve to help create a robust digital footprint.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Favorite spot in the city is Blue Willow Restaurant on Campbell. My wife and I go at least twice a month. It’s a wonderful atmosphere and they greet us on a first name basis. If they are looking for community and a sense of belonging and or volunteering I will definitely tell them to stop by a church called Rising Star. A place of remarkable history is The Dunbar Pavillion. An exciting and electric Community Pillar is Ms. Barbea Williams. She is the Founder of the Barbea Williams Performing Company, Arizona’s premier African Centered Performing Company. The studio emphasis is on Afrikan and Afrikan Latino dance, choreography, choreo-poetry, cultural folklore and story dance to educate and bring attention to current events and social justice issues.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So grateful for the support of my family and friends who constantly encourage ‘the work’ that takes place in Tucson. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine living in Southern Arizona 13 years. I met my wife Carmishun here in Tucson and now we are blessed with two kids who are Tucsonians. As a millennial I benefit largely from the African Proverb, “it takes a village to raise a child”. Between being a native of Nashville, Tennessee and relocating to Tucson accepting an entry-level engineer position immediate after graduating from Tennessee State University in 2010 the mentorship, love and encouragement has been like none other. My father is my hero and inspires me daily to evolve. So this is my shoutout list : ).

Website: www.trehoncoleman.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trehonstime/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrehonsTIME/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@trehoncockrell-coleman3856/about

Image Credits
Joe Jackson, Jr. (photo of me in the Black Panther tshirt pointing to the camera) Manuel Ruiz Photography (family photo sitting on bench) Tondaleya Jobe – PhotosByTonda (photo with my dad) Christian B. Meza (photo with the guy pointing to me. His shirt says #thedunbar). 3Five Graphics – Micah H. Mills Trehon’s Time flyer (infographic). Be a Good Tucsonian photo – My wife took this with my phone : )