Our neighbors are united in their love for our community, no matter how near or far they might have traveled to get here. Derrick and Anovia Thomas are east coasters turned into west coasters. While they still show their allegiance to their past, they fully embrace their lives here on Gravelly Lake.

The Thomases live in the Lakeside Country Club with their two children, Hendrix, who is two years old, and attends Charles Wright Academy; and Maxwell, who is 11 months old. They share their home with their dog, Gargamelle, a name you might recognize from “The Smurfs” (though spelled differently). Both son’s names were inspired by musicians, as this is a family that shares a love of music. “We are often listening to 90s R&B, hip-hop, 2000 alternative, funk, soul, and of course, kid songs! One of my favorite artists is Jasmine Jordan, who is a local artist from Lacey, WA,” Anovia told us (Jordan is known for her song “Smile” and for promoting positive self-image and faith-based love.)

 This is a couple and a family that embraces each other and everything life has to offer. Both Anovia and Derrick attended historically Black colleges and root for their college teams: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Saint Augustine’s University. Also, “my husband is from the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia), so he is a Washington Commanders fan.”

 

Derrick, an IT Consultant and Cloud Architect, is from Landover, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, DC. He attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University for undergrad, and George Washington University for graduate school. He enjoys walking the dog, “learning to garden, and listening to music and podcasts. We also have two very young kids so we love to sleep when we can!”

Anovia, a Sustainability Senior Engagement Manager for The Climate Pledge at Amazon, attended Saint Augustine's for undergrad, and American University for graduate school. “My father is retired from the Army, so I have lived in a few places,” she shared. “I was born in Richmond, Virginia, moved to Frankfurt, Germany from 8 months old to 8 years old, Lacey, Washington from 8 to 18, and then I spent the last 20 years on the east coast in Raleigh, North Carolina and Washington, DC.”  Anovia loves to read, dance, “go on walks, and watch reality TV to relax.” She is a member of the Tacoma Chapter of the Jack and Jill Foundation of America, the oldest Black-founded philanthropic organization in the United States, in existence since 1938, and focused on strengthening and developing children.

 

 The family has been part of the neighborhood for one year. Every Labor Day weekend, they go to Seaside, Oregon, for a family vacation near the ocean. Closer to home, they host Sunday family dinner once a month, and enjoy swimming, golfing, “taking family walks, going to our local farmers market, hiking, going to live music events, traveling, and finding new local restaurants to enjoy,” no matter where they are. Hendrix participates in swimming and gymnastics at the YMCA. “He is excited to start soccer when he turns three,” they said. Local hangouts include Fort Steilacoom Park, American Lake, the Children’s Museum, and Ruston Way.

 

“We love celebrating every milestone, holiday, and achievement. We often host parties, dinners, and have fun game nights with our family. On Christmas Eve, we open new pajamas. My kids, nieces, and nephew put on a Christmas performance.”

 

A community such as ours inspires togetherness. “We have a very close and small neighborhood where everyone feels like family,” Anovia said. “We also love living on American Lake. You can find us there almost every day in the summer.”