We recently connected with Tiffany Jeffers and have shared our conversation below.

Tiffany, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

A few years ago, I took a risk that didn’t make much sense on paper. I left a steady job with great benefits and a reliable paycheck to follow a vision I couldn’t shake. It wasn’t polished. It wasn’t perfect. But it was persistent. I didn’t have a big grant or a fancy launch plan. What I had was a deep sense that our community needed something more. And I believed, even with trembling hands, that I was being called to help build it.

The idea was bold: create something rooted in Black empowerment. And almost immediately, folks started giving advice I didn’t ask for. Some told me not to use the word Black in the name. That it would scare off funders or limit my reach. That I’d close doors before they opened. But I couldn’t water it down. I didn’t want to lead with fear. Black isn’t a limitation. It’s legacy. It’s love. It’s the lens through which I see my purpose. I believed if I was honest about who I was and who I wanted to serve, the right people would show up. And they did.

What gave me the courage to move forward was the community. My community. Because while this was a new venture, I wasn’t new to the work. I had long been a connector—linking people to resources, organizing events, building bridges across backgrounds and barriers. Not just in the Black community, but across Kissimmee. People knew my heart. They knew I was committed. And when I started to doubt whether I could really step into this leadership role, it was my husband, my friends, and community leaders who reminded me that I already had. They pushed me. They covered me. And they told me, “We’ve been waiting on this.”

So I launched the Black Empowerment & Community Council—BECC.

We started small. I borrowed space. I called in every favor. I designed flyers in Canva at midnight and brought snacks from my own pantry to community meetings. But people showed up. They felt the difference. They felt the love.

And slowly but surely, that little risk started to bloom.

Today, BECC has a downtown office, thriving programs for youth and seniors, major partnerships, and events that sell out every year. But the real success? It’s not the space or the sponsors. It’s that when people walk into a BECC event, they feel seen. Valued. Powerful.

That’s the fruit of the risk.
That’s what happens when faith speaks louder than fear.
That’s what happens when a community lifts you up before you even realize you’re ready to lead.

Tiffany, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Tiffany Jeffers, a community strategist, speaker, and founder of the Black Empowerment & Community Council—known lovingly as BECC. I’m based in Kissimmee, Florida, but my work spans communities, cultures, and causes. Everything I do is rooted in one mission: building power, proximity, and purpose for people who have historically been left out of the conversation.

My journey into this work wasn’t traditional, but it was intentional. I grew up in Baltimore raised by parents who grew up in church ministry and grandparents who were part of the Black Panther movement. That foundation of resilience, service, community empowerment and radical love for all never left me. I’ve always been someone who brings people together, whether it was organizing student groups, launching community events, or connecting nonprofits to resources before I even had a title.

BECC was born out of that same drive. We are a grassroots-powered, people-centered organization that focuses on equity, access, and opportunity especially for Black and Brown communities. Through BECC, we run everything from leadership development programs to community resource events, from youth and senior initiatives to workforce and entrepreneurial training. We also operate a coworking space in Downtown Kissimmee for community leaders, creatives, and change agents who need a place to build what they’ve been dreaming of.

What sets me and BECC apart is that we don’t wait for change to trickle down. We create it at the ground level. I don’t just talk about community—I’m in it, every day. Whether it’s helping a young person apply for college, connecting a family to housing resources, or organizing sold-out events like the Vanguard Awards, I lead with love and strategy. We move with intention, and we make space for everyone at the table.

I’m most proud of the way our work makes people feel. Seen. Heard. Equipped. And not just inspired—but activated.

If you’re just getting to know me or BECC, here’s what I want you to know:
We are where community meets courage. We build real relationships, we honor lived experience, and we’re not afraid to do the work that changes lives.

Whether you’re a funder, a follower, or someone looking for a way to get involved—know that we’re building something beautiful, and there’s a place for you in it.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I built my reputation by doing the work long before I had a title. I’ve always been the person people call when they need something done—with excellence, intention, and heart. That’s why some folks affectionately call me the Olivia Pope of Osceola. If you ask my husband, he’ll tell you it’s not unusual for me to get calls from policymakers, community leaders, and decision-makers to my next door neighbor—and sometimes even the tourists at my local Walmart on 192—all asking the same thing: “Tiff, who do I call? What do I do next? Can you help me figure this out?”

And more often than not, I can.

It’s not about being a fixer. It’s about being trusted. People know that when I show up, I’ll bring solutions, care, and follow-through. That’s how I’ve built relationships across sectors and across the city. From church leaders to small business owners, from educators to parents, I’ve always been a connector, a communicator, and a bridge.

It’s normal now for me to walk into a room and hear someone say my name before I’ve even introduced myself. That’s not by accident. That’s because I’ve spent years showing up for my community—not just when it’s convenient, but when it matters most.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients, partners, and supporters for BECC? Word of mouth. Hands down.

Most people who come to BECC didn’t find us through a fancy ad campaign. They found us because someone they trust said, “You need to connect with Tiffany,” or “You have to check out what BECC is doing.” Whether it’s a nonprofit I’ve helped navigate funding, a student we’ve mentored, or a family we connected to vital resources, people don’t forget how they were treated—and they spread the word.

Our reputation has been built through consistent, community-centered work. When people come to our events, walk into our coworking space, or partner with us on a program, they feel the intention behind every detail. They feel welcomed, empowered, and seen. That’s what keeps them coming back—and what brings new folks to our doors.

We’ve grown because the community believes in us. And honestly, that’s the best kind of growth there is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beccouncil.org
• Instagram: @thebeccouncil
• Facebook: @thebeccouncil
• Linkedin: @thebeccouncil

Image Credits

RTW Photography