For the first time in history, a Black woman will serve as part of an FBI SWAT team. The barrier breaker, known as Tai, has been working as an FBI agent in Puerto Rico. She hopes her accomplishment will inspire other Black girls to follow in her footsteps and have the confidence to pursue their dreams regardless of what stands in their way.
"Hopefully somebody will see that I was able to do it," Tai said.
"I'm not the biggest person. I'm not as strong as some of these guys. But as long as you have perseverance -- because it does get really tough -- you push through it and keep going."
While Tai is proud to have broken this barrier, the FBI agent is focused on the next task at hand. She will participate in the bureau's New Operator Training School, a 10-week program that prepares agents for SWAT team field operations.
"I'm one of those people where I have a task at hand and I just focus on that task," she explained.
"I don't really think about people looking at me."
Her colleagues believe that Tai has the skill and grit to tackle this opportunity head-on. San Juan SWAT Senior Team Leader Mike Dubravetz said that he "sees a lot of promise in Tai."
"There are no guarantees for success, but she's been willing to tackle this," Dubravetz said.
"I'm impressed with her performance. She wouldn't have made it through the selection process if she didn't demonstrate that she has what it takes to be successful."
Tai was recently deployed to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to assist with casework there. Later this year, she will return to San Juan, Puerto Rico and join a new cohort for the 10-week program.
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