For this Commerce team member, Black History Month is a time of connection.
Tamara Lackland, a retail banking group manager at Commerce Bank, believes deeply in the importance of relationships. It’s a philosophy that shapes how she approaches her work, her community involvement, and her understanding of Black History Month.
“Black History Month is so important to me,” Lackland says. “It celebrates the accomplishments of Black people throughout history, but it also recognizes the struggles and challenges they went through.”
For Lackland, the observance serves as both inspiration and reminder. She sees it as motivation to persevere through difficulties, knowing that meaningful change is possible. But she also views it as an opportunity to foster the kinds of connections that strengthen communities.
“We need to honor the contributions of Black people — their achievements, contributions to culture and innovations,” she says. “Knowing about these things can promote dialogue, conversation and understanding. My hope is that the more we all understand each other, the better things will get.”
A career journey of growth.
That commitment to understanding drives much of Lackland's work at Commerce, where she's spent the past 20 years building relationships with colleagues, customers and community members alike.
As a retail group manager, Lackland leads six branches in the North County and North City areas of St. Louis. While her responsibilities include developing teams, attracting new business and maintaining customer relationships, she sees her role as extending beyond the branches she oversees.
“I believe it’s important for me to be a great community partner,” she says. “I want to have meaningful relationships with the people in our community. That way I can understand what people's needs are, in case there's a way for Commerce to help.”
Lackland’s career at Commerce began simply enough – as a part-time teller at a branch in North City. Over two decades, she’s held different roles at multiple branches, eventually becoming a branch manager before being promoted to her current position.
“In some ways, I feel like I’ve worked at Commerce all my life,” she says. “Things have changed a lot during my time here, and I’ve enjoyed gaining more insight into our business — not about just my role, but developing a holistic view of how we all work together and collaborate to help our customers.”
What she loves most hasn’t changed: helping people develop and building lasting connections.
“I still talk to customers I worked with 20 years ago,” Lackland says. “Some of them will call me with questions, and I’m glad I can be a trusted resource for them.”
Janet Thompson, a senior customer care associate who has worked with Lackland for more than 15 years, sees that relationship-building ability as central to her manager’s success.
“Tamara engages with team members on all levels,” Thompson says. “She’s concerned about them both personally and professionally. She’s a very effective communicator who seeks collaboration whenever she can.”
Fostering inclusivity and understanding.
That collaborative spirit extends to Lackland’s involvement with Commerce's employee resource groups, or ERGs. While she works most closely with VIBE – the bank’s ERG for multicultural team members – she considers herself an ally of all the groups.
“I believe inclusivity is important,” Lackland says. “We all need to understand other people, other cultures, and ERGs give us that opportunity. I enjoy meeting people from all different walks of life and getting to know them.”
Beyond Commerce’s walls, Lackland serves on the boards of North County Inc., SoulFisher Ministries and Wesley House Association. She also chairs the North Star District of Scouting America.
Her motivation for community service is deeply personal. “Earlier in life, other people offered me resources, gave me information and offered me help,” Lackland says. “Today, I want to do the same thing for others. These kinds of services can have a huge impact on people’s lives. They certainly had a big impact on me and my children.”
Lackland believes that kind of impact comes through people building strong connections with each other.
“As individuals and as organizations, we all have to work together if we want to be successful in helping people,” she says.
Thompson sees that commitment reflected in everything Lackland does. “Tamara is passionate and resilient, with a great work ethic and a positive mindset,” she says. “She’s also simply a kind and compassionate person who inspires those around her to be better.”
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