Aside from work as President and CEO of Detroit headquartered Onyx Enterprise, Tarolyn Buckles sits on several boards including the University of Michigan College of Civil Engineering and the University of Michigan Engineering Alumni, is a part of several organizations and co-founder and chair of the National Association of Minority Consulting Engineers. Working 12-to- 15-hour days as a civil engineer, keeping family and faith first helps the businesswoman stay grounded while laying an example for her colleagues and employees.
With 33 years of experience in the civil engineering industry, a field that is heavily dominated by men, Buckles has climbed the ranks and shown why women can get the job done, too. Early in her career, the CEO became accustomed to being the only woman in the room. Being African American added an additional layer that added to her individuality in the field. However, talent, ability, and confidence helped show why she would be an asset to any project.
“As a young civil engineer, I knew that, even in school, it was just a male-dominated curriculum. My degree is in structural engineering and I knew I would have to get used to being the only Black female in the classroom,” says Buckles. “I knew that when I began my career it would be about the same, and it was.”
Working for the Michigan Department of Transportation while still in college, learning on the job and in real-time helped to steadily increase her skills. At as early as 19 years old, the young engineer was learning the intricacies of the field and perfecting the craft.
“I had an internship while going to school and in the summer seasons I would be at the construction sites and I would be a construction inspector inspecting projects,” says Reeves.
Despite being a young African American female in the big leagues, her belief in herself never wavered. Trusting in her skill and ability helped propel the rising star to new heights.
“I had to be confident. I had to know that I’m qualified and have the experience to do what I do in my field,” says Buckles. “I knew I had to have my confidence at a high level in whatever situation I was in and that is by being prepared. I made sure I was prepared and that helped through it all.”
As a child selling lemonade the budding CEO already possessed an entrepreneurial spirit. Noted as a moment that laid the early groundwork for leadership, the small business grew into what is now a full-blown company.
“That leadership started early in Girl Scouts selling cookies or competing for awards. That confidence is being built. That leadership is being built,” said Buckles.
Launching Onyx Enterprise in 2007, the company went full-time in 2011. The thriving consultancy provides engineering consulting, project management, and construction management services to local, state, and federal government engineering entities.
With an average of 10 employees, it became essential for the CEO to lead by example and set the blueprint for the firm. Encouraging workers to consider their health needs first, the leader ensures employees utilize their health insurance benefits for their physical and mental health screenings and urges other leaders and CEOs to do the same.
“Leading by example is important and one thing I encourage my employees to do is to use your health insurance benefits. It’s so important to take those office visits, whatever the situation,” says Buckles. “I tell them to invest in their 401K, the financial side. It’s important to make sure your finances are together personally. I give a matching program. You want to invest in your 401K.”
Buckles holds several accolades including being named among Crain’s Notable Women in STEM in 2019, National Association of Women in Construction- Crystal Vision Award, and The Michigan Chronicle’s Women of Excellence in the same year. Not just limited to Detroit, Onyx Enterprise has offices in Atlanta, Cleveland and soon-to-be Tampa, Fla. The firm has worked on several major projects across the city including the M-1 Rail, I-94 Bridge Municipal Utility design and construction engineering services, City of Detroit DPW Streetscapes, Wayne County Airport Berry Terminal Demolition-QA/QC and Safety Manager and Wayne County Roads.
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