We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tahirah Cornwall. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tahirah below.

Tahirah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned at a previous job is NEVER let anyone TELL you WHO YOU ARE !!!! I use to work for a private preschool in Atlanta and I just knew I hit the jackpot of jobs. I was a salaried employee making good money, had amazing benefits, and even my own office. If you asked me I had it all and no one could take it from me. After COVID-19 hit, My role at this job changed drastically and I was given a million more things to do and no pay raise. I carried that school on my back for two years when I was just a simple teacher and I did it with a smile and great poise. Every new position that was thrown at me that I had to take over I gave it my all and did it very well, It even got to a point where all the staff and even some parents stopped going to leadership and started coming to me with anything they may need. A lot of people would say I was an integral part in keeping them open at the start of the pandemic. Despite my big brother telling me this everyday, I began to realize I was being taken advantage of by my leadership staff, and I decided to take a stand for myself and apply for a promotion that they were giving. I was turned down multiple times for a job I was already doing, I was told to “mind my business” when bringing up teacher concerns”, “I have no idea how to be able to run a business at my age”, I was called a “busy body”, and “I was called a poor teacher”. It was so sad because after a while I began to believe them. All their hurtful words would replay in my head over and over again, and I began to lose a lot of sight into who I was. After them telling me how terrible I was for the umteenth time, and them giving the job I wanted to someone who I taught how to do everything there. I finally decided to walk away from all they toxicity from that job. They told me due my low performance they will not be welcoming me back for the next school year and I left that month. Ever since I have left I have been flourishing. Everything I have touched has made me so happy and I’m happy that I was able to get out of there. My face is even clearing up ( that’s how much they stressed me ).

With all that being said It took me two years but like I said in the beginning NEVER let anyone TELL you WHO YOU ARE!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello Everyone! My name is Tahirah and I am the creator and owner of Tahirah Mandisa Choreography. I am a private dance instructor servicing the Marietta and Atlanta Area. I have always had a love for the arts. Dance, photography, literature, paintings and much more. When I was younger my mom use to take me to shows all the time and she said I would always light up like a Christmas tree whenever the performers would dance, Then I would spend hours after the show mimicking the dance moves I saw. I began my dance journey at the age of 3 and I never looked back. I’ve had the honor of winning top awards at competitions such as Bravo, On stage America, Candance North America, Jump, Tremaine, and That’s Entertainment. I’ve also had the honor of performing on the Epcot Stage in Walt Disney World and on the prestigious stage at Lincoln Center in NY, NY. I also graduated college with a B.F.A in Dance in 2018 from Valdosta State University.

After I graduated college, I began Tahirah Mandisa Choreography because I wanted to start classes that I know kids and adults would love. I spent my whole life dancing and whenever I think back to the happiest times in my life its on a stage. So I want to create that fun environment for children to fall in love with dance. With me students get to have fun but also learn the most they have ever learned in a very strategic matter. All my students always leave my class happy and full of dancing knowledge.

Currently I am offering private lessons virtually and in person*. I teach Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Mommy/Daddy & Me, Tumbling, and birthday parties , and I teach ages as young as 2 years old . You can find me on Take Lessons and book me for a virtual or in person session.

I hope to be dancing with you soon!

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I am currently reading Your a BadAss How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living An Awesome Life by Jen Sincero, and it is an amazing book! Jen makes it so clear that you are already living the life you want to live you just have to believe it and accept that good things are meant to happen to you. She outlines tips and tools on how to live your best life with no regrets. One of her main points that’s she makes every chapter is to LOVE YOURSELF. Which i find so important because if you don’t love yourself nobody else will. If you are feeling stuck in your own head and just filled with self doubt I highly recommend reading this book.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative for me is teaching it. I love teaching dance so much. I love seeing children fall in love with an art that’s been apart of my whole life. Having the ability to share my passion and joy with my students in truly a blessing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @TahirahMandisa
• Facebook: Tahirah Mandisa Choreography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahirah-cornwall-501841226
• Twitter: @TahirahMandisa