Tamia Santiago participated in the Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling (BCYC) Program from 2013-2017 as a part of her school team at Mastery Pickett and quickly became a leader as an All-Star and member of BCYC’s Youth Advisory Committee. The confidence that she gained as a young cyclist and leader in BCYC led her to graduate Valedictorian from Roxborough High School and obtain a full ride to her top choice Drexel University. Tamia then completed her Bachelor’s Degree in December 2021 and joined the Bicycle Coalition staff as Program Coordinator for 1 year.
Read about Tamia’s journey since then in her own words below and check out Tamia’s previous blogs
2014 Blog: CCF Athlete Tamia Santiago on discovering what it takes to be a real cyclist
2015 Blog: How a Cadence Youth Cycling All Star Met Lisa Nutter
2017 Blog: Tamia Santiago of Cadence Youth Cycling Shares Her College Admissions Essay
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After graduating from Drexel University, I’ve taken quite the wild ride both literally and creatively. I had the amazing opportunity to revisit my Bicycle Coalition family as Program Coordinator and offer a unique and fun alumni perspective into leadership. Specifically, I had the responsibility of carrying out the events that I once enjoyed as a kid for BCYC. Returning back to in-person programming was one of the hardest obstacles during the 2021- 22 season. I knew how important in-person programming was to connecting students to the sport of cycling and assuring they returned for another season.
When I was a student athlete, I looked forward to the freedom group rides brought, and the friends I made during every event and adventure. Which leads to my favorite memory as a coordinator: the crit at Hunting Park. Here, I witnessed students from all ages and schools join together, in-person, and implement what they worked on all season. More importantly, I saw seeds being planted in first timers to return for another season. My time as Program Coordinator couldn’t have been better, and it’s a chapter within my life that I am truly thankful for. Then, I pivoted. Into a world I didn’t even know existed, until I took a leap of faith.
In the summer of 2022, I found myself in the middle of New York City chasing the dreams I would sketch on paper. I used to draw Marvel superheroes and cars obsessively as a kid… and maybe still as an adult. That habit translated into a design internship with adidas where my first project was to redesign the Lexus RX for Wakanda Forever’s Black Panther. I spent a year in New York City then relocated over to Los Angeles, and I had the chance to work cross-functionally with adidas teams pushing creative boundaries. I think the most important lesson I learned here was that designing wasn’t just about shoes; it was about storytelling, culture, and creating something people make memories with.
Now, I’m in San Francisco attending portfolio school. My hope is to become an Art Director, but the goal is beyond titles. I’m here to keep growing, connecting with other dope creatives, and sharpening my vision for what’s next. I want to keep pushing myself, breaking molds, and learning from every corner of this wild industry.
From Drexel to bikes to sneakers to storyboards—this journey’s been anything but ordinary. But that’s the mission. Never stop exploring, always stay curious, and surround yourself with people who inspire you to go harder.