Tamaira Sandifer

Tamaira "Miss Tee" Sandifer Joins Groundbreaking Leaders On For(bes) The Culture List of 50 Champions, Including Colin Kaepernick, Issa Rae, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, Dwayne Wade, Angel Rich and Amanda Gorman Sacramento-based youth advocate, philanthropist and Studio T Arts & Entertainment Founder Tamaira 'Miss Tee' Sandifer has been recognized by Forbes Magazine among the inaugural For(bes) The Culture 50 Champions list "Introducing the Black and Brown leaders making the most impact through their capital, creativity, connections and commitment." According to Forbes, investing in the success of others is a value that's deeply rooted in Black culture and tradition, whether it's an investment of finances or a donation of talent and time. The editors further note that whether it's being intentional about the hiring process, investment and mentorship practices, driving discussions around access or effecting change through advocacy - from Colin Kaepernick and Issa Rae to Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, Dwayne Wade, Angel Rich and Amanda Gorman -- these exceptional leaders all share "the unique experience of being Black or Brown, empowered and ready to champion the narrative" around building and sustaining strong communities of color. Tamaira "Miss Tee" Sandifer is a 30-year dance education expert specializing in pulling the best out of youth. She has developed some of Hollywood's most sought after young dancers including THE 2016 winner of 'So You Think You Can Dance', 2018 World of Dance stars, members of the Jabbawockeez, and more. Her graduates currently travel the world with artists and celebrities that include: Justin Beiber, Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Usher, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Ellen & More. You'll see her graduates on the stages of MTV Music Awards, Nick Choice Awards, BET Awards & more. But to her, some of the biggest successes of her program have come from students who finished high school and went on to become college graduates. As CEO and founder of Studio T Arts & Entertainment, PassToClass.com, California's Day of Dance, Side Hustle Academy, LVL Up and @SweetTeeTime, Miss Tee's heartbeat is to champion the development of every child, build confidence and character as well as develop a conquering spirit that believes anything in possible. Sandifer's success in building this organization is the direct result of her own struggles and triumphs growing up in Richmond to a single mom raising five siblings. Early in her career as a teaching artist she consistently saw disinterested kids suddenly electrified by the prospect of learning a new move. Her studio in Sacramento now offers local students much more than dance lessons; at Studio T, young people from all backgrounds become skilled professionals in performance and stage crew, graphic and costume design, photography and videography, and of course, choreography. Sandifer's "whole person" approach addresses every young person's needs so they can heal, connect, and flourish as key participants in the creative marketplace. Her influence on the creative economy is not only evident in the work that she is doing today, but will have a lasting impact through the many lives she's changed on her life mission. She serves over 192,000 youth and 7,800 educators in school districts throughout Northern California and across the country every year through educational partnerships & enrichment programs related to physical as well as mental & emotional health. Her passionate advocacy for the arts has taken her to the State Capitol where she partners with local and national civic leaders to bring arts-inspired, socially and culturally relevant incentives to the academic day.