It doesn’t take long to learn that Joi Patterson lives up to her name.
Joi started working at Peoples five years ago and has worked her way up to Senior Call Center Representative, where she serves as a team lead. She supports her team when they have questions and responds to escalated customer concerns. But beyond her daily responsibilities, she’s a role model for other employees and a “Peoples Ambassador.”
“Being an Ambassador for Peoples gives me the opportunity to represent the company outside of work to let the community know what opportunities we have available,” Joi explains. “I get to have an honest conversation regarding what they can expect from working here. I also like to make people aware that we are more than just the gas company. We are very active in the communities that we serve.”
Joi appreciates these opportunities to grow her own leadership qualities while talking to younger generations.
“I enjoy explaining to the younger generations that they don’t have to rely on a college degree to be able to make more than a decent salary and enjoy the rewards of the benefits that Peoples offers. It means a lot to me when I see relief come across their faces.”
Prior to working at Peoples, Joi was an employee of Dominion Retail for 13 years. When she started working for Peoples, she knew several people working here who she could turn to for support.
“I take pride in being comfortable working with all types of peoples,” Joi says. “I’m also just at a point in my life that I refuse to lose. I’m going to always do my best to be at my best and do what is right.”
Working hard and doing what is right are two qualities that Joi attributes to her mother.
“Honestly I don’t know where I would be without her,” Joi says fondly. “As I was growing up, all I would see her do is work. She has been a nurse my entire life until she retired a few years ago. My mom worked very hard to make sure I was never without. Her strength continues to amaze me.”
Strength is something that Joi has certainly inherited from her mother. She was generous in sharing the story of her daughter La’Nizjah with us, in the hope of showing others how love and family can help you to overcome any obstacles.
“I did not become a mother the traditional way,” Joi explains. “La’Nizjah’s biological mother was one of my closest friends in my life. I loved her with all my heart. She was definitely my little sister.”
Devastatingly, someone took her friend’s life when La’Nizjah was just two years old. At the time, La’Nizjah’s grandmother was raising her, but unfortunately she developed lung cancer.
“She was like a second Mom to me,” Joi says, “so I told her not to worry about La’Nizjah, I would take care of her so that she can just focus on getting better, but God had other plans.” It wasn’t long until Joi decided to adopt La’Nizjah.
Now, Joi explains how both she and La’Nizjah have two wonderful, supportive families — La’Nizjah’s biological family and Joi’s family.
“Everything that I do is for and about her,” Joi says. “I want her biological mother to be able to rest knowing that her baby girl is being loved and taken care of.”
“I understand that I have to be La’Nizjah’s blueprint for success,” Joi adds. “I know that God's got great plans for our lives. I have to show her how to deal with defeats and to continue to work hard for success.”
As a Northsider, Joi feels a genuine bond with her community — a community that has supported her in her role as La’Nizjah’s mother.
“I can’t begin to explain how supportive my neighborhood has been and how much love they give me when it comes to her,” Joi says.
Just as Joi feels a strong connection to her community, she feels that it’s important for her company to maintain these strong connections, too.
“To me, it’s crucial that Peoples upholds a commitment to diversity,” Joi says. “Pittsburgh in particular has known statistics that show it is hard for African Americans to progress or live comfortable here. This city does not always represent diversity well, but Peoples is very visible in the city, and I think we’re in a great position to help change that.”
Joi has taken on this challenge personally, as well. She mentions that she doesn’t just talk about Peoples at company events, but everywhere she goes. She is proud of the company and believes in our vision, and she strives to lead by example.
“I am definitely a role model to the young African American women in our call center,” Joi says. “I know some of the younger reps look up to me because I look like them, and because I am valued by management that does not always look like me.”
During her career, Joi has learned to value professionalism and honesty. She likes emphasize to other employees that it’s important not to judge others.
“If I were to have an open conversation with my coworkers about race, I would encourage them to speak on their own experiences, and not to allow anyone else’s perception to prevent them from being open minded,” Joi says.
“Unfortunately, being an African American woman, we have to typically work harder to prove that we are not part of the stereotypes that others may have been exposed to. But I never lose focus on why I’m here,” she says. “I always remind myself that we are all working towards the same goal.”
For those who have had an opportunity to get to know Joi during her time at Peoples, her enthusiasm in the face of life’s challenges is certainly inspiring.
It’s safe to say that it is a true joy having her as part of the Peoples family.