Meet Aarika Plunkett | Community Development Officer & Philanthropist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aarika Plunkett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aarika, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
As a parent, I believe and know the most important job I have as a parent is to give them God. I know my responsibilities are to provide, pour into the, nurture, and protect them. But all that means nothing if I do not give them God. I make sure my children know that God is the head of household and he is always in control. When children growing up knowing God, they will know that nothing is impossible and I know that when you give a child the word of God, you give them the essential blueprint of life. They will forever have the “know how” to navigate through life and have the assurance they are never alone.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I got into Banking by chance. A friend of mine from high school was a Teller for a small bank at the time and she needed to meet her quota for opening new accounts for the week and she asked would I come up to her job and opened an account. As her friend, it was a no brainer for me! The day I went to the bank the Branch Manager just so happen to walk pass me and complimented me on my shoes I was wearing and from there we started a small conversation regarding shoes and fashion. We started to laugh and converse as if we knew each other, she was just that pleasant.

I remember during our conversation she asked if I was currently working. I told her that I was working, but it was a temp position. She said “I think you would be a great fit for the bank”. I remember her asking me if I had a few minutes to spare after opening an account to spare because she wanted to walk me over to their HR offices. I remember her being so kind to me that day. I remember her letting me know right away, she did not have any openings in the branch but she told me maybe you find some clerical work in one of our departments. Plus she mentioned, we have health benefits!! Means to say, I went ahead applied for an Administrative position for the Appraisal Department; completely clueless about mortgage appraisals, I got the job two weeks later and as they say “the rest is history.” From appraisals, mortgage lending and commercial banking, I worked my way up to my current role as a Community Development Officer and I love it!

In 2013, I moved to Houston with my 2 toddlers and their dad from California. I left family and friends behind in Los Angeles and moved to a new city and state. I left my support system behind and I started all over again-with no friends, no village, and little to no help. However, what I did not leave behind was God. Through it all, I chose to believe and trust in God and what he had in-stored for me. While my children were still young, I went back to school within a year of my move to Houston and I completed by Undergrad at the University of Houston in 2016. In Spring 2017, I entered into the Master’s Program at UHD and I graduated in 2019 with my M.A. in Non-Profit Management.

The road to get here and the road I am currently on is not an easy road; but it was and still is so necessary to travel! I come to understand the stages of every point of my personal and professional life is vital for my next level growth. There were times when I doubted myself and my journey, but God would send me reminders to assure me that I am worthy and never alone.

So I embraced my journey and here I am…… As a Community Development Officer, I acts as a bridge between marginalized communities and government authorities at local, regional and national levels. I provide vital assistance in distribution of grant funds, help design and implement community projects, and assist with the execution and strategies to maximize community outreach and immersion to achieve strategic outcomes.

As a CDO for Independent Financial, it is also my responsibility to evaluate the bank’s existing programs that are in place to service low to moderate income families, identify flaws for improvement purposes, and situate myself and the bank to become an effective community partners in Houston and Austin.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I do not go out a lot. My time is occupied with my girls swimming lessons, dance practices, and volleyball. Too be perfectly honest, I am a homebody at heart! I love the comfort of my home.

But when families comes to see me, I love going to the Menil Collection Museum and roaming the halls. It is something serene and majestic about sitting in a great space of art and silence. I love the wide spaces and the peek a boo of natural lighting throughout the museum. I also love to take people to Sugar Land Memorial Park! I love, love this park. The hidden trails and the walk along the river water is the best ever! I frequent the park when I want to find answers and hear the voice of God with Robert Glasper playing as my personal soundtrack in the background.

For a great meal, we always end up at my girlfriend Ronda’s house. Her cooking is unmatched!! Everyone who knows me, know I brag about her Louisiana cooking. Her house is a must when I have guest coming from California. I met her a few months after I moved to Houston and her house is my family’s staple for good food and good times.

When I am not taking someone to Ronda’s house, you can find me either at Willie G’s, Eddie V’s or Nobu. I love a great seafood dinner, a glass of wine and/or some sushi!! I recently have stumbled upon a few night places in the Heights, so Washington Ave would also be must do for drinks and good vibes. I come to really like the Sugar Room.

For brunch, I am a staple at The Union Kitchen in Memorial, Liberty Kitchen, Snooze and Tiny Box No. 5. I rotate my brunch spots depending the mood.

Prior to COVID, a visit to Wheeler Ave Baptist Church was a MUST. I have taken everyone to church on Sunday’s when they come to Houston! Pastor Marcus Cosby always manages to deliver an on time message and I talk about him like I do my Pastor in Los Angeles, Bishop Noel Jones. So if you ever visit me, please know we are going to look at art, walk in the park, eat good and praise God!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother Glenis Knight and my sister friend Ronda Damon deserves all the recognition in the world. Without their encouraging words, heart felt prayers, their voices that calms me during storms, their guidance and unwavering love, I would be lost at times. These women are my personal heroes!

Image Credits
My daughter Ava Collins