Honoring Former Terriers of Color – Tahari James Castilla (SAR’09)
February 16, 2021 | General, Women's Track & Field
In celebration of Black History Month, we are honoring former Boston University student-athlete of color Tahari James Castilla (SAR'09) to share her accomplishments with the rest of Terrier Nation.
One of the most accomplished jumpers in BU track & field history, Tahari James Castilla (SAR'09) holds BU school records in both the long jump and triple jump. The Branford, Conn., native earned indoor and outdoor All-America distinction in the triple jump as a senior and also competed in the triple jump at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2008.
Castilla captured 12 America East individual championships during her career and participated at four NCAA championships, finishing ninth in the triple jump as a senior. She was also a member of four America East indoor championship teams. In 2007, Tahari was awarded the University's Mildred Barnes Award, presented annually to Boston University's top female athlete. Castilla earned a bachelor's in health sciences from BU's Sargent College in 2009 and later an MBA from California Southern University.
Today, Castilla serves as the executive director of the nonprofit group Higher Calling Foundation Inc. and runs her own health & wellness coaching business, Castilla Wellness Consulting LLC, which assists individuals with their wellness goals through holistic modalities. She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband Matthew Castilla.
Who were some of the mentors who impacted your life and how?
I was extremely blessed to have amazing supportive parents who, no matter what I wanted to do, were always present and supportive and helping me navigate athletics. I am also super close with my grandmother, Mavis Edwards. She's a great person, an immigrant from Jamaica, her strength and her ability to come to a new country and learn the system and raise her kids here was always a big inspiration to me. I have a big family, I am the second oldest of 10 kids, so my siblings, along with my aunts and uncles, always had my newspaper articles cut out and supported me.
But I would say outside of my family, (former) BU coach Robyne Johnson is someone who always mentored me during my time at BU both on and off the track. We also had a sports psychologist while I was at BU named Dr. Tanyika Mobley. She was instrumental of me having the career I did by helping with the whole thing of getting out of your own way and achieving your goals. And then earlier back, my Branford High School head coach Kevin Connell, who was my sprints coach, and my jumps coach Nate Jacobson, were instrumental in my development. Coach Jacobson and I are still very close to this day. If I didn't have that strong work ethic that they instilled in me in high school I don't know how successful I would have been at BU. That group of people definitely helped mold who I am, not just in athletics but in my personal growth as well.
Tahari with family and friends at Branford High School's 2018 Hall of Fame induction.
You mentioned former Boston University director of track & field and cross country Robyn Johnson. What was it like being coached by her?
I cannot sing her praises enough. She had the ability to see talent before you even saw it in yourself. I also appreciated that she always pushed us to be the best that we could be. Coach Johnson arrived my second year and the first thing she said was "I don't like to lose, and neither should you" (laughs) and fast forward to the number of titles and awards we won under her was amazing. She could be tough, but she understood balance. I think her philosophy was - I want you to be a good athlete, I want you to be a good student but more importantly I want you to be a good and successful person outside of sports. She really did put an emphasis on making sure we did well in school and had other interests. I really appreciated her, and we are still in contact.
Tahari visiting with Robyne Johnson (R) when the Terriers competed at Georgia Tech in 2018.
How did competing as a student-athlete at BU help you prepare for life after college?
I truly believe that Boston University takes a very different approach to its student-athlete. BU really does emphasize academics for its student-athletes. They were always making sure you show up for classes, making sure you get your homework done, making sure that you have all the academic support you needed. I think because of that all the student-athletes from BU who juggled tough academics with their sports learned about balance. Life is going to hand you a bunch of balls and you have to juggle them and sometimes you are going to drop a few but what are you going to do after you drop them? And the thing I liked about competing in track & field is that you are part of a team but also compete as an individual and I think that is indicative of life. When taking a job, you are responsible for your individual work but at the end of the day you are part of a team and representing the entire firm or company. I feel like having that strong foundation from my undergrad experience at BU really did help me excel in my professional life in terms of having different personalities and coming together to achieve a common goal.
In the past year, BU Athletics has seen the creation of the Student-Athletes of Color Committee and the Social Justice and Inclusion Committee. What were some of your experiences at BU and in the City of Boston regarding diversity and inclusion?
One thing I loved about Boston is that it is a melting pot, not just with race but nationality and I think that has a lot do with it being a college town, so I did get exposed to different races, different ethnicities, different nationalities so it was really cool to learn about other cultures without traveling outside the US. I have to admit that I am a little bias because I lived in my sports' bubble and the track & field team was very diverse in terms of races and nationalities. I was very fortunate that I had a lot of friends that were involved in the Black Student Union. I was also involved in the Black Gospel Choir for two years. So, my experience was very positive. Keep in mind I grew up in the New England area (Conn.), so the Boston area was familiar to me, but I felt like I benefited from being in a city and being exposed to people from all different walks of life.
What does Black History Month mean to you and why is it important?
Well, I'm black 365 days a year and I'm very proud of it. Black women are now leading the way in many industries and it's exciting to be part of that movement. But being a black woman in America is something you inherently wear on your sleeve. I think what Black History Month means today, with all the racial tension we've had over the past few years, is that we have realized there is still a long way to go in terms of inclusion. For me Black History Month is important because it highlights American history, and it highlights the contributions of African Americans to the society we have today in the medical, education, or technology fields, so Black History Month gives us a chance to highlight not just the giants like Martin Luther king or Malcolm X but some of the unsung heroes who have contributed so much.
Tell us about your work as executive director at Higher Calling Foundation.
The organization is located in Decatur, Ga., just outside of Atlanta and we are all about empowering that community which is predominantly low income. We have various entities like a food distribution center and daycare to name a few. But at its core, the organization's goal is to enrich the community by providing resources and meeting the holistic needs of the people we serve. We provide free educational services, recreational services, mentorships etc. Most of our work is in partnership with Higher Calling Ministries so we also provide spiritual and emotional guidance as well. The work has been very eye opening to see the needs of the community but it has also highlighted how much good is in the world with so many great people who are willing to give their time to make sure this community is effected positively.
What are some of your fondest memories from BU?
I would say becoming All American, especially the first time that happened. That was just insane to me. And I think the reason I say that is that I always knew I was athletically gifted but to be competing on the DI level and get to compete at that level and be recognized was just amazing. Also winning the America East Conference and breaking the school record was incredible. Seeing my name added to those record lists and to have it still be there today is awe inspiring. Also having the opportunity to go to the Olympic Trials, that was something I never even considered until coach Johnson told me I had a shot. I had to ask her "what do I need to do?", and she told me to just do the little stuff well every single day and that I should automatically qualify for Olympic Trials. I remember when I finally got there and being like wow, I am here on the field with Olympic gold medalists because of all the hard work.
So those memories will be ingrained with me but most importantly some of my best friends were my teammates at BU. I have a group of six girls who I am in touch with pretty much every day and that is a result of BU track & field. Additional my best friend is David Proctor, who was a distance runner at BU. Even though he lives across the ocean in the U.K., we are very close. So, I am really thankful for those memories and those relationships.
Tahari James Castilla still holds school records in both the indoor & outdoor triple jumps & long jumps.
One of the most accomplished jumpers in BU track & field history, Tahari James Castilla (SAR'09) holds BU school records in both the long jump and triple jump. The Branford, Conn., native earned indoor and outdoor All-America distinction in the triple jump as a senior and also competed in the triple jump at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2008.
Castilla captured 12 America East individual championships during her career and participated at four NCAA championships, finishing ninth in the triple jump as a senior. She was also a member of four America East indoor championship teams. In 2007, Tahari was awarded the University's Mildred Barnes Award, presented annually to Boston University's top female athlete. Castilla earned a bachelor's in health sciences from BU's Sargent College in 2009 and later an MBA from California Southern University.
Today, Castilla serves as the executive director of the nonprofit group Higher Calling Foundation Inc. and runs her own health & wellness coaching business, Castilla Wellness Consulting LLC, which assists individuals with their wellness goals through holistic modalities. She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband Matthew Castilla.
Who were some of the mentors who impacted your life and how?
I was extremely blessed to have amazing supportive parents who, no matter what I wanted to do, were always present and supportive and helping me navigate athletics. I am also super close with my grandmother, Mavis Edwards. She's a great person, an immigrant from Jamaica, her strength and her ability to come to a new country and learn the system and raise her kids here was always a big inspiration to me. I have a big family, I am the second oldest of 10 kids, so my siblings, along with my aunts and uncles, always had my newspaper articles cut out and supported me.
But I would say outside of my family, (former) BU coach Robyne Johnson is someone who always mentored me during my time at BU both on and off the track. We also had a sports psychologist while I was at BU named Dr. Tanyika Mobley. She was instrumental of me having the career I did by helping with the whole thing of getting out of your own way and achieving your goals. And then earlier back, my Branford High School head coach Kevin Connell, who was my sprints coach, and my jumps coach Nate Jacobson, were instrumental in my development. Coach Jacobson and I are still very close to this day. If I didn't have that strong work ethic that they instilled in me in high school I don't know how successful I would have been at BU. That group of people definitely helped mold who I am, not just in athletics but in my personal growth as well.
Tahari with family and friends at Branford High School's 2018 Hall of Fame induction.
You mentioned former Boston University director of track & field and cross country Robyn Johnson. What was it like being coached by her?
I cannot sing her praises enough. She had the ability to see talent before you even saw it in yourself. I also appreciated that she always pushed us to be the best that we could be. Coach Johnson arrived my second year and the first thing she said was "I don't like to lose, and neither should you" (laughs) and fast forward to the number of titles and awards we won under her was amazing. She could be tough, but she understood balance. I think her philosophy was - I want you to be a good athlete, I want you to be a good student but more importantly I want you to be a good and successful person outside of sports. She really did put an emphasis on making sure we did well in school and had other interests. I really appreciated her, and we are still in contact.
Tahari visiting with Robyne Johnson (R) when the Terriers competed at Georgia Tech in 2018.
How did competing as a student-athlete at BU help you prepare for life after college?
I truly believe that Boston University takes a very different approach to its student-athlete. BU really does emphasize academics for its student-athletes. They were always making sure you show up for classes, making sure you get your homework done, making sure that you have all the academic support you needed. I think because of that all the student-athletes from BU who juggled tough academics with their sports learned about balance. Life is going to hand you a bunch of balls and you have to juggle them and sometimes you are going to drop a few but what are you going to do after you drop them? And the thing I liked about competing in track & field is that you are part of a team but also compete as an individual and I think that is indicative of life. When taking a job, you are responsible for your individual work but at the end of the day you are part of a team and representing the entire firm or company. I feel like having that strong foundation from my undergrad experience at BU really did help me excel in my professional life in terms of having different personalities and coming together to achieve a common goal.
In the past year, BU Athletics has seen the creation of the Student-Athletes of Color Committee and the Social Justice and Inclusion Committee. What were some of your experiences at BU and in the City of Boston regarding diversity and inclusion?
One thing I loved about Boston is that it is a melting pot, not just with race but nationality and I think that has a lot do with it being a college town, so I did get exposed to different races, different ethnicities, different nationalities so it was really cool to learn about other cultures without traveling outside the US. I have to admit that I am a little bias because I lived in my sports' bubble and the track & field team was very diverse in terms of races and nationalities. I was very fortunate that I had a lot of friends that were involved in the Black Student Union. I was also involved in the Black Gospel Choir for two years. So, my experience was very positive. Keep in mind I grew up in the New England area (Conn.), so the Boston area was familiar to me, but I felt like I benefited from being in a city and being exposed to people from all different walks of life.
What does Black History Month mean to you and why is it important?
Well, I'm black 365 days a year and I'm very proud of it. Black women are now leading the way in many industries and it's exciting to be part of that movement. But being a black woman in America is something you inherently wear on your sleeve. I think what Black History Month means today, with all the racial tension we've had over the past few years, is that we have realized there is still a long way to go in terms of inclusion. For me Black History Month is important because it highlights American history, and it highlights the contributions of African Americans to the society we have today in the medical, education, or technology fields, so Black History Month gives us a chance to highlight not just the giants like Martin Luther king or Malcolm X but some of the unsung heroes who have contributed so much.
Tell us about your work as executive director at Higher Calling Foundation.
The organization is located in Decatur, Ga., just outside of Atlanta and we are all about empowering that community which is predominantly low income. We have various entities like a food distribution center and daycare to name a few. But at its core, the organization's goal is to enrich the community by providing resources and meeting the holistic needs of the people we serve. We provide free educational services, recreational services, mentorships etc. Most of our work is in partnership with Higher Calling Ministries so we also provide spiritual and emotional guidance as well. The work has been very eye opening to see the needs of the community but it has also highlighted how much good is in the world with so many great people who are willing to give their time to make sure this community is effected positively.
What are some of your fondest memories from BU?
I would say becoming All American, especially the first time that happened. That was just insane to me. And I think the reason I say that is that I always knew I was athletically gifted but to be competing on the DI level and get to compete at that level and be recognized was just amazing. Also winning the America East Conference and breaking the school record was incredible. Seeing my name added to those record lists and to have it still be there today is awe inspiring. Also having the opportunity to go to the Olympic Trials, that was something I never even considered until coach Johnson told me I had a shot. I had to ask her "what do I need to do?", and she told me to just do the little stuff well every single day and that I should automatically qualify for Olympic Trials. I remember when I finally got there and being like wow, I am here on the field with Olympic gold medalists because of all the hard work.
So those memories will be ingrained with me but most importantly some of my best friends were my teammates at BU. I have a group of six girls who I am in touch with pretty much every day and that is a result of BU track & field. Additional my best friend is David Proctor, who was a distance runner at BU. Even though he lives across the ocean in the U.K., we are very close. So, I am really thankful for those memories and those relationships.
Tahari James Castilla still holds school records in both the indoor & outdoor triple jumps & long jumps.
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