The Weight of Being The “First” ft. Dr. Tiffany Anderson | Ep #12

What does it truly mean to walk in your purpose and lead with authenticity? 

To honor Black History Month, we sit down with the Greats. 

Dr. Tiffany Anderson is the first African American female superintendent in Kansas and she shares her inspiring journey, the power of being the "first," and why authenticity is essential for leadership.

From walking the Oscars red carpet in her signature white sneakers to building a legacy of servant leadership, Dr. Anderson reminds us: "Be who you are. Don't change to fit someone else's mold."

So, how can you embrace your authenticity to build a brand and legacy that lasts? You'll love every second of this episode, Tune in now and join the conversation!

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more authentic conversations.

Learn more about Dr. Tiffany Anderson here.

Grab Dr. Anderson's book.

Chapters

• 0:00 Authenticity in WHO You Are
• 2:25 Why the Tennis Shoes?
• 7:50 Challenges in Leadership
• 14:15 Leaning into your Purpose
• 23:19 Personal Branding Bundle
• 24:02 What’s Next?
• 29:32 Finding Who You Are
• 37:09 The Importance of Identity in Branding

Transcript

This week on the authentic media podcast, 

when you are walking in your purpose, opportunities are going to line up for you in the way that they need to, to allow you to do the work you're supposed to do. The first African American superintendent in Topeka, Kansas, you know, without a first, you can't have a second and you can't have a third.

And so I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility to not only do my part, but to lift as I climb, be who you are. 

Don't 

let. Your parents or others tell you who you should be or how you should look, or how you should change to fit a mold to fit in with the crowd or other people. What does authenticity mean?

Welcome everyone to Authentic Media Podcast. We are doing a honoring leaders in the community here. And so for Black History Month, I'm super excited to welcome Dr. Tiffany Anderson, um, also known as the first African American superintendent in Topeka, Kansas. And so, um, Dr. Anderson, I wanted to have you here because I've talked with you multiple times, and I think that people, um, know the leadership style of you and know the superintendent side, but I think as a black woman, you speak to a lot of young women and um, how you carry yourself.

Everything about you is so prestigious and admiring. And I want to really use this opportunity to, um, Have you tell your story and really speak to the young women and business owners, entrepreneurs who are in the space of creating an authentic brand. And so, um, this podcast is all about that. And so, of course, I know, um, in some way you are a business owner.

You have your own book. You have a lot of accolades, um, behind your name. But one of the things I know you can speak to is the leadership. Style of building a brand in the community as a leader as a female as a woman. And so, um, First welcome to the show. Thank you so much. I'm 

excited to be here Thank you for having me and for taking the time to really delve into the subject of branding especially for black women Uh, it's powerful and it's an honor to be here.

Thank 

you. So let's start a little bit about, um, your personal journey into becoming the first African American female superintendent, um, in Topeka, Kansas. When you hear that statement, what does that mean to you? 

Oh my goodness. Well, and so Topeka has had an African American superintendent, but not an African American woman.

And, you know, we're talking in the year 2000 when I'm one of two Black women in the entire state of Kansas as a superintendent. So, as a female superintendent. Um, and that statement is so powerful because it shows possibility. Chose opportunity. Um, we know that we cannot walk into spaces that people haven't already walked into in some fashion.

And so, you know, without a first, you can't have a second and you can't have a third. And so it really speaks about responsibility. Um, so I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility to not only, um, do my part, but to lift as I climb, um, and the open doors that perhaps would not have been opened, um, before me or, or, or if I hadn't gotten the opportunity to, to be in this space.

The other powerful piece is. There was a black woman on the school board when I was hired. So that's also a powerful statement to say, you know, we, we all have this responsibility. So it is a statement that, um, brings me tremendous joy, but also reminds me of the responsibility that I have. 

Yeah, I want to dive into your perspective around authenticity.

You know, one of the things I admire about you as a leader is that you're very authentic in your leadership. You're very open and straightforward when it comes to your faith. And so I think a lot of people in leadership tend to maybe hide parts of themselves. But you tend to, like, be very straightforward with, like, who you are personally and it shows up in your leadership.

So for you, um, what does authenticity mean and how do you bring that into your everyday lifestyle? 

One thing that I'll share with you, I'm a bit of a storyteller and I'll be very brief and sharing, um, uh, the story, but it gives examples and then I'm an educator. So in, in really looking at who you are and bringing your best self forward, um, and not changing who you are for anyone.

Um, I'm reminded of, um, attending the Oscars. Now I'm not a big TV watcher, so I received a call. Um, this was back in 20, I think maybe 15 or 16 about receiving the people with purpose award. And I said, you know, I don't need someone to tell me that I have purpose. I know I have purpose. What kind of award is that?

So, um, it was the PWC who selects, uh, who will be, uh, you know, who really organizes and selects who will be getting the awards at the Oscars. Or at least they organized the process. And so, they shared, you know, here's, you'd come to the Oscars, you'd come down to the red carpet, you'd hear all the pieces with that.

So that's ridiculous. And I went home and told my husband and I said, so the Oscars, which show is that? He said, well, that's where you would meet Denzel Washington. I said, baby, I'm going to the Oscar. So he immediately changed, decided to go. And my mom and several other people said, you know, do not wear tennis shoes.

So tennis shoes has been a bit of the brand of the boots to the ground or sneakers to the ground philosophy. And I talk about it in my latest book about what that means. And so. So, um, my mom said, you know, you have this beautiful ballroom dress and please don't wear tennis shoes. Don't they pay you enough to get, you know, heels?

And so, so I buy the heels, I get there. And when you get to the Oscars, they have a room of someone that does your makeup and a room where they do your, a space where they do your hair and all these other things. And so I went on the red carpet. And what do you think the first question they asked me when I was wearing, yeah, I had my heels on and they asked.

Wear your tennis shoes. I went back to the hotel. Yeah, change the shoes went back to the location to Um, walk the red carpet and it was my reminder. Be who you are. Don't let your parents or others tell you who you should be or how you should look 

or 

how you should change to fit a mold to fit in with the crowd or other people.

It was that reminder. In fact, they were looking for me to come as my authentic self and that would be a dress or suit in tennis shoes and it would be the boots to the ground that I bring to the space. And so Truly being authentic means first, you have to know who you are and to be able to stand on that and what you believe, um, and then, uh, walking into that space.

Um, so for me, I, you know, have the privilege of doing that every day and modeling that for others, um, and highlighting it as I see https: otter. ai Beautiful opportunity to be the light of Christ and all of the spaces to say, you are beautiful and amazing because you're here. You belong because you're here.

Yeah. 

And to encourage people to, um, feel that light and also. Be who they were intended to be and live out their purpose, not someone 

else's. Yeah, that's good. Okay. And I'm glad you brought up the tennis shoes because it is your brand. Essentially, like everything about you is so just immaculate. But one of the things I want to point out for those who may not be aware of who you are here, but.

Um, yeah, so Dr. Anderson wears white tennis shoes every single day, which is like a surprise to many because, you know, in the American traditional sense, right? Like they expect a female to come to work with heels on. And so I'm curious why you decided to kind of like embrace. that and say, you know, I'm going to switch things up a little bit, share a little bit about why that is now a part of your brand.

Well, you know, and it's so funny because when I started in Topeka, it was such an unusual thing that, you know, one of the men superintendents, uh, at the Capitol, we were preparing to present and he said, don't you need some different shoes? As he was looking at my tennis shoes. Um, and so I couldn't wait to present because that was the first statement I said was, Hey, this superintendent made this comment and I'm so glad he did because I want to let you know what being, um, a person that believes in boots to the ground or in my case sneakers to the ground means and that just led right into Who we are in topeka public schools and what we need from them Um, so I have always worn tennis shoes as long as I can remember as a teacher.

I wore a suit or a dress to school with tennis shoes Um, and it really for me was about comfort. It also was about I can't do this working heels. There's actually a or a little um Graphic kind of commercial thing from one of the leadership organizations ASCD on the tennis shoes. Can you believe that?

And they taped me talking about why I wear the tennis shoes, but that sneakers to the ground philosophy is really about Being in the community, knowing that we can't do this work alone, and you need everyone around you to really uplift the good work that you're supposed to do. Um, and so in doing that, for me, it requires walking in the community, knocking on doors, uh, truly being, um, someone that connects with people, um, beyond the office.

So for me, it's about comfort. It really started as a teacher with comfort, but it also talks about not being afraid to look different. And, um, so it, it embodies all of that. And so for me, also the tennis shoes really allows me to be flexible. 

Um, 

there's some things I seriously cannot do in heels, such as get on a playground and, uh, you know, double dutch at a high elementary school or run up or down the stairs when needed, um, to address an immediate situation at Topeka High that has, you know, multiple flights of stairs and, 

yeah.

Um, but not being afraid to be, um, the person that you need to be to do the job at hand that you're given to do. 

Yeah. One of the things too about you is you're very personal, um, in your role when it comes to being a superintendent. I think majority of the time, many of us are used to a superintendent being behind closed doors, being in the office, not being as like face to face with the students, but in your role.

always constantly see you out in the community, out at different schools, like building personal relationships, going on field trips with the students and, you know, introducing yourself and letting, um, not only the people who are hosting, but the students know that, like, I care about what you're learning and what you're doing.

And I think that speaks to who you are as a person, but also, um, it just kind of communicates another. Piece of your character, um, when it comes to showing up for your students, and so I'm just curious, like, what makes you go the extra mile besides just doing the paperwork? You're like, I want to be there with the student.

What does that mean to you? 

Oh, well, first of all, thank you for saying all of that. Um, the first thing, um, it's important to know. We can't serve needs. We don't know. Um, and so. We have the privilege to share the space with other people that I believe God has placed in the space that, that I, you know, encounter every day, whether it's in a school or at a supermarket or, um, just meeting a parent when I am, uh, going from one place to the next and I happen to bump into a parent who has this critical need and we're at the right time at the right place or a teacher.

Um, and as I'm in these spaces, I can't serve the needs that I don't know. Therefore, I am expected to take the time to listen to connect. We, we have something called listening tours, and we started those in part because we. Talk about listening in such a way that sometimes people think listening means you need to listen to respond and while response may be needed, I believe you have to listen to learn and you can't respond until you learn.

So the listening tours are really about learning. I need to learn more about what do you expect and what do you need? What are you not saying with words that you're trying to convey to me in person in other ways? It is, um, an opportunity to truly understand the needs of the community. So for me, meeting people, um, helping people know that I'm meeting them where they are, 

is, 

um, critical.

And to do that, it requires helping people. know that they belong and that they're part of the greater family that I get to be part of, which is Topeka Public Schools. Um, so at the listening tours, I may say, hey mom, what happened last night in the community? Or, hey dad, I love that you're walking your child to school.

They may see me on crossing guard duty, hugging on a student to say, man, how was that first day? I was so excited to see you yesterday, crossing guard. I'm so excited to see you today. I can't wait to hear about your day. Letting them know that you're You're part of a larger family. I'm part of a larger family.

So yeah, that piece of being personable is just the same way that you'd be with your mom or your sister or your brother. I see every student in Topeka in that way. Imagine if everyone saw everyone else as truly their brother or sister, which truly we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, I believe. So if everyone saw everybody like that, they would probably treat them Just a little different speak to them differently.

Um, so I get a chance to, um, Model and be part of that daily. Mm-hmm . I want you to 

speak to, um, the challenges that you, I know there's many because knowing who you are, right? I know you face many challenges in the school system at home, personal professional, but when it comes to being a leader in this community, um, I think there's a lot of challenges.

that are not, people are not aware of. And so when they see you and they see your grace and they see your smile, you make it look easy. Dr. Anderson, like everything that you do, it looks easy, but that comes with so many challenges. And so, um, if you could speak to someone who's in a leadership role or who's a business owner, um, trying to lead a team, how would you advise them to overcome challenges and moving forward with grace?

You know, that's so great because so much of what we do and who we are is about perspective and knowing who you are. It's really about how you think. So the first thing is there are no barriers except your mindset. But once you know that you have tremendous freedom, you know, how you think, uh, changes everything.

So, as I think of challenges and our team, my team knows this in Topeka that, um, there are no problems. There are only opportunities and they are uniquely designed for you. And it's true. And you are placed in that position for that opportunity. And sometimes we can complain our blessings away. 

That 

opportunity is a blessing meant for you.

And there is a blessing in every challenge. Um, if you look at them as challenges, there's a blessing in every challenge. Sometimes it's hard to see it in the moment. Um, and any challenge that a person can see in my life and say, Man, how did you address that or deal with that? I can tell you, maybe not at the present time, but later, Man, here's the blessing I got out of that.

So for me, um, seeing all things as opportunities, um, changes how you view teams and the work. Um, for me, I'm a CEO of a 220 million company with 13, 000 students, 13, 000 parents. And when you take all of those people, um, Combined, you know, you're really talking about a small city, um, and in the small city that we have, we really focus on the mission of engaging, preparing and inspiring students and staff and community members.

Um, right now our team, uh, the leadership team is reading a book called The Culture Code. And, uh, it talks about three things that you must have in your organization to, um, ensure that you succeed. 

Yeah. 

All people want to know, they want to know, do I belong, do I have a future here, and am I safe? 

Yes. 

So everything we do is really wrapped around belonging, um, safety, and letting people know they have a future here for our parents, for our students.

Um, 

so every initiative that you look at, whether it's the hospital at Speaker High, the food pantries that we have, um, the reduction in homelessness through some of the housing, uh, initiatives, Do I belong? 

Do I 

have a future here and am I safe? If you do that, that really changes how you look at leading an organization and how you foster a sense of leadership that empowers others with grace and love.

How you think about every opportunity changes how you treat others, including how you problem solve opportunities. It's um, It's amazing what God can do through you if you allow it. 

That's good. Yeah, that's good. Let's talk about, um, your foundational, um, belief around education. Clearly because you went to go obviously get your doctorate.

Um, last time we talked, I know you were working on, um, another book, right? So right now you're 

at 

two books. 

You know, and I should have brought, I have, uh, three books. Three books. Okay. And, uh, I don't know, several dozen articles. So the most In fact, I do actually have it for you in the car. The most recent article was published two weeks ago.

Um, but, um, the book, uh, was out in 2024, the end of 2024. 

Yeah. 

Uh, on building, uh, leadership capacity in parents. Right. And then you were going back to school to do something with pastoring. Is that correct? Yes, I graduated a few years ago with my MDiv, Masters in Divinity, and through the Methodist Church, uh, in fact, I was on a podcast earlier with the Bishop actually of the Methodist Church, but through the Methodist Church, uh, it's a several year process.

Of moving from graduating with your master's in divinity, uh, through ordination, which is not a requirement, um, but for me, uh, I believe I'm called to serve in a ministry that is beyond the traditional church context. And, um, that really Topeka, the community of Topeka and the schools, it is my ministry.

And I just seek every day to fulfill what God, um, is directing and guiding me to do. Um, and truly living out scripture and, you know, that's Jesus's greatest command is to love one another as we have been loved. And so, if you live that out, it, uh, the school system is a perfect avenue to show love and grace and to develop.

Yeah, 

with all of the, um, articles and books and degrees that you have, what made you say that I want to, it sounds like a silly question, but continue my education, right? And not just stop at this one degree, but you had obviously opportunity to say, I'm just going to continue to keep learning. I'm going to continue to grow.

I'm going to continue writing and reading. Why is that so important to you? Because it doesn't seem like it's like a, A checklist, like I want to reach this amount of success so I can say that I'm doing this. It seems like it's something that really interests you. 

Well, you know, and I would say this to any individual, any woman and certainly any black woman watching this, that, you know, when you are walking in your purpose, opportunities are going to line up for you in the way that they need to, to allow you to do the work you're supposed to do.

Um, the most recent book, uh, Building Parent Capacity, uh, and, um, Fostering Authentic Engagement, uh, with Families, that really was a person reaching out to me out of the blue, saying, you know, we've been watching your work, uh, through Corwin Publishing, and we believe you, you can write a book about parents.

And I said, I don't have time. I, you know, this is crazy. I can't even imagine taking on something like that. And, um, the woman was so convincing, African American woman that at the time worked for Corwin. Incredible story, because at the end of the conversation, I agreed to start the process. And then before you know it, I was writing the book and well into this work of really just capturing stories within Topeka and telling the Topeka story.

And it's so powerful that, you know, for others to learn from your story. By the end of the The book, writing the book, once it was published, I get an email from the same person and she says. I am so inspired about what's going on in education. I am resigning from Corwin and I am now going to be the chief academic officer at an inner city school.

I think she's in New York. Talk about lives that intertwine and this crossroads of meeting this individual who encourages me and really leads me and selects me to write a book that later then encourages her to return to her passion and purpose. All things are meant for your good, truly. And, um, and, and that was yet another opportunity of just walking in my purpose.

So many of these articles, books, have really been something that, um, the door was opened by someone or someone who feels like this needs to be shared. The most recent, uh, article as well, similar story, um, uh, the American Association for School Administrators reached out again about wanting a piece on family engagement and their entire series in January was on families.

Yeah. 

So the article was written and published. Um, so it's not that I've had to seek out those opportunities and sometimes we do need to say, Hey, this is where I need to be. Let me seek those opportunities. Right. But at other times, it's really just, um, uh, you know. Be very aware of who you are and where you need to go and what your gifts and passions are and lean into that Don't lean into the salary or the geography But truly your purpose.

Yeah, and when you lean into that Opportunities will come I guarantee it right 

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Okay. So Dr. Anderson, you talked about the. opportunity around education and how I think, you know, especially in a time like this, um, education's at our fingertips, right? It's like, we have access everywhere. There's no reason not to have it. But I love, um, the way you talked about just as a female and as a woman, like, we have to continue educating ourselves.

It's very super important. But right now someone would say, okay. You have everything. You've done everything. You've reached, you know, all of the milestones. But for you, is there anything else on your list that you're like, I want to do X, Y, and Z, you know, by this age or what's, what's next for you on your path to, um, growing?

Well, the first thing is that I believe that life is a journey. I don't think that there's a destination or a man, I need to reach this or. Man, when I get to this, even within our careers, you know, um, you know, I never thought that I'd be a principal or a superintendent, but what I knew is that I wanted to impact as many people as possible, um, with opening doors with, uh, showing love and grace with, um, Being a light in places that were dark with meeting people in their sacred moments.

And that has led to all kinds of opportunities. Um, every month or every other month I'm speaking somewhere. This weekend I'll be in New York speaking and you're talking five, ten thousand people in an audience. Just listening and learning about how schools really are the center of the community. Never did I imagine that people would be paying to come to some venue to hear me speak for an hour.

You know, uh, last month it was to the Methodist, uh, church and the women of New England. And it's been just an incredible journey. And if I had said, how do I get to speak somewhere? You know, I probably would have approached that the wrong way. 

Yeah. 

Um, but so. you know, for me, I really don't know what God has in store for me next.

I do feel as though there's a calling for when I retire, if that happens one day, um, to move into chaplaincy in a formal way. Um, you know, so, and whether that happens or not, we'll see where he calls me to be. But it's been interesting being in those, um, important moments of life when life, uh, enters and when life Um, moves on to everlasting life because we're such a large district.

There are many of those moments that, um, I find myself in and being able to tell people you are not alone. And here's how I know that. Um, and so that is an area in terms of, um, my career. Again, I am always surprised at what God has in store from the, you know, women's superintendent of the year to the Oscars to just stuff I could not have even imagined.

It is truly remarkable. And for me, it is, um, The reminder that God will place you where you were supposed to be, when you're supposed to be there, but don't look at it as a destination, but see it as truly a journey, and as I am on this journey, it has been tremendous to see the opportunities, projects, initiatives that have unfolded without me ever noticing them.

Imagining I'd be in that space. The other piece of that for me in terms of what's next. Um, you know, the equity and opportunity gap is so significant. And I believe what feeds that is ignorance and fear about it. young people about black women. I mean, I'm still one of two black women in the state of Kansas, and so I will share that, um, I continue to look at ways to educate, to dispel myths about what black kids can't do, uh, about who black women are, and not that I represent all of black women, but I certainly represent, um, what's possible, 

um, 

for other black women, but for other people.

Uh, in Topeka, I remember when I started, And it was like this in Virginia when I started. If I put out my hand and someone, you know, kind of shied away, I would, you know, reach out and say, give me a hug and give him a big kiss, you know, you know, to, to really look at approaching, you know, approaching people in a way that you can't help but love me back.

You know, it's really hard to bring hate and anger in, um, in a space of love. Right. And so knowing that Most people approach you with whatever their makeup is. And so I seek to be a person that doesn't take that personal, because they don't know me, but seek to be a person that believes I am supposed to be in this space to help them grow in love and grace and kindness.

Right. So, whatever opportunity God has, uh, planned for me in the future is one that I know will continue to develop those skills and allow me to use those, um, gifts and talents that he's given me. 

Bethany That's so good. I think it's easy for you to, um, showcase love and grace for people because you mentioned it earlier that Having an authentic brand starts with who you are.

And I preach that consistently on this podcast, that you have to know who you are. And it's interesting because what I've learned along the way is that life is a journey that teaches you who you are. And some people really don't know where to start. So if you could. Also use this opportunity. Um, and maybe go back to your journey.

Um, what did that look like when it came to finding who you are and what steps did you take to get there? 

Well, you know, it's so interesting, the people that are in your space and their impact for good or bad. For me, my parents who are retired pastors, um, that's. That's who was in my space. And so it's incredible that, um, when I look back at my life, my mom integrated schools in 1955 after the 1954 Brown decision.

And now I'm the superintendent in the place where the Brown decision occurred. 

Wow. You 

talk about things being intentionally lined up. 

Yeah. 

If it had not been for Brown v. Board, my mom would not have integrated high school and I would not be superintendent today. 

Yeah. 

So, you know, Knowing that I am, um, a product, uh, of a family that truly believed that if they did not advocate and empower others and, 

and 

be part of the civil rights movement, that change would not happen if they chose to sit out.

Change would not have happened to know that I'm a product of that. Oh, my goodness. Yeah, that in and of itself fuels me to say, man, I have I've got to have the, everything within me to use this as a responsibility to. Fight and advocate for others. Um, to be truly part of the struggle to change and challenge and transform communities for the betterment of others.

Um, it's part of who I am. And so, you know, when people are in spaces where they may not have parents that give that. They certainly have friends and colleagues and, and other, uh, mentors, which is why it's so important to mentor other people. Um, they have stories all around them that they can read to see possibility.

They just have to look. 

Yeah. 

And so if, if my role is really just to inspire you to look and see, man, there are a lot of high performing schools that, Have all black and brown babies in them. 

Yeah. 

And man, there are a lot of places that have women leading that are making changes. They're just, sometimes their stories aren't always told.

And so if I get the opportunity to tell their story, it's, it's really incredible. So that's. My parents, um, but then there are also many role models who are other women that have come before me, whose shoulders I stand on. Here in Topeka, nationally, um, through art and literature and music, um, locally, Dr.

Beryl New, who was the principal at Highland Park High. She and I both were featured on the, uh, 12, 11, 12 episode, uh, cable TV series, Undercover High. And instantly, as I met this amazing woman of grace who is now on the State Board of Education, I knew that I was supposed to learn a tremendous amount from her, and we are still co chairs of the Equity Council and advocating for others.

So, 

yeah. 

Many people have played a part in my story, and I am fearful that I'm playing a part in stories that I may never know. 

Yeah. And I was going to follow up with that, um, when it comes to mentorship and the significance around that. Because I think people being a part of your life, you talked about it earlier, collaboration, that, like, you can get further in life collaborating with others, right?

And so I think it kind of reminds me of, you know, getting mentored and the significance around mentorship. And so someone like you, some people may think that. feel like, you know, do you have a mentor? Where do you get your support from? Because you are the leader for so many people, but leaders need support too.

And so 

in your world, what does mentorship look like? 

You know, and I said earlier, you have to lift as you climb. So there are so many people that are lifting us up that may be non traditional mentors that you read about and hear about. But you know, daily, I, uh, look to others in terms of, uh, what can I learn from people who are, um, in education and not in education, who are in business?

I remember when I became a superintendent and, and while as women, we have to support and up with one another. This, um, role is predominantly male dominated, right? So as many CEO roles are. And so, um, if I just said, man, I'm only learning from women. I don't trust men. I would have lost many opportunities. So I look for people to be mentors and for me to be mentors too, 

that are 

not, uh, they don't necessarily all look like me.

Um, right now I'm mentoring a young man, uh, at Ross Elementary, Dr. Gardner, and I, and he has his, uh, doctorate at a very early age, and it was just a privilege for him to say, you know, can you mentor me through this process? Um, in fact, I write about him, uh, in my, uh, But when I became superintendent, there was a superintendent who's now passed on, uh, a woman and a man, uh, superintendent was, uh, Dr.

Cleveland Hammonds and my first superintendency, where I was the first woman and first African American in Montgomery County, Virginia. And, um. He took the time, uh, to connect with me regularly to talk about that very first contract, the decisions that I have to make, the being business savvy. Additionally, there was a female principal, longest serving principal in St.

Louis City, Juanita Doggett. Um, I think when I started, she may have been 70, and she would invite me to her home and her school. And this, this whole piece of authenticity, and learning what that looks like after 20, 30, 40 years of Leading in this work. 

Yeah. 

My goodness, I learned a tremendous amount and we can shut ourselves off when we're looking at mentorship in built in a certain package So being open to be mentors and to be mentored by people who may not look like you or show up in the way That you would think they would it's been It's been remarkable the people that have poured into me 

That's good.

You're speaking good. I'm not surprised, but okay. Um, last question for you. As we come to a close, you are around countless students, right? Different lives, different perspectives, um, young, old, different races. You're around a lots of people, but I think you could probably, probably agree with me when you see the younger generation hurting when it comes to figuring out who they are and trying to find a sense of belonging.

You mentioned it earlier, and so there's this strong need to be. Desire to be liked, um, to stand out, to be known, to be, you know, successful, right? Like this younger generation is hungry to go viral in a sense on social media. But I think there's a huge opportunity to speak to not only the younger generation, but even the older generation when it comes to developing an authentic brand.

Um, so right now, if you could go back and start over. Um, from the beginning, what would it look like to develop an authentic brand? 

Well, for me, I, I, there's not much in my life that I can look back on and say, man, I wish I had done it differently. Um, I think that everything that has occurred in my life has been so intentionally designed for me to learn and grow and develop.

And so, uh, branding for me at a very early part of my career really included my husband, my late husband. And, um, When we talk about branding, we really talked about, we really talked about our family. So he would, he would draw a diagram and say, this is the Anderson dynasty. Now just lean into that. I 

love it.

And my 

kids still know that. Chris and Whitney, this is the Anderson dynasty. What does that mean to you? And having the conversation about how do you want to be known? Basically, what is your legacy? 

Yeah. 

What do you want people to think about you when you when you leave a room or come into a room? And that then Leads right on into what's your brand and who are you 

and 

you know, when we look at brands on objects and we say, man, I remember that I know that just based on what that looks like, what that smells like or what that design is.

Well, we want to be known. We should want to be known and remembered for how we make people feel and what characteristics we bring to that space. There are people that walk in a room and sometimes you say, Oh my gosh, I can't believe we're in a room. And then there are people that walk in a room and you automatically smile.

Yeah. I mean, it just makes my heart happy when I walk in a room and I'm, I always walk in smiling. And so when I met with smiles or laughter or the head nod, I pray that I bring truly a light into a space, um, that perhaps has greater glimmer or, um, was dark and, and now has hope. Um, Stan and I will call ourselves ambassadors of hope 

and 

that That's good.

Is part of, um, the Anderson Dynasty, and so now my daughter, who works in oncology, searching for the cure for cancer, found the one, uh, that, the one cure, or at least 99 percent effective treatment for, um, the cancer her father had, which is incredible last year. Wow. Um, at Wash U Medical School, and my son, who's in digital marketing, we are ambassadors of hope and possibility.

That's part of our brand as the Anderson family. That will be the legacy that's left when we look at photos and stories and accomplishments. It's part of why each of the, um, uh, the homeless shelters and things that we've opened, I call them Hope House. Every book, including the article that was just out, has something about transforming communities or transformational leadership or 

this 

piece of you're ever evolving into being your better self.

You're on this journey, not a destination, of learning and growing and developing to be your better self. My purpose is to serve God's purpose, so it's very clear for me. And my kids and I, we talk about that. And the more we know His purpose, the more we know our purpose and what we're supposed to be. And so, and what we're supposed to do.

So, um, So yeah, the piece of branding is truly, for us, a conversation in our family. Early on when I met my husband, this piece of let's dream about where we think God will take us and who we How we see ourselves and who we want to be. So often that conversation doesn't happen with young people. Right. You know, at a very early age, in elementary, at middle, at high school.

You want to be, how do you see yourself? How do you want people to feel when they get a chance to meet you and they leave out of your presence? How do you want to be 

remembered? 

Yeah. You know, and then having that conversation about who we are before we talk about what we're going to do. Right. Oh my god, yes.

You know, that Changes everything, and that really goes into brand. Gosh, you're like building out 

my framework. This is exactly what I talk about all the time, but I think that people want to skip the identity piece so bad, but I think it's because we, just the American way is, you know, go to school, figure out what you want to do, go get a career, go get married, go have kids.

kids. And so there's like the personal development piece that gets skipped all the time. And so even for myself, I had to pause and be still and really spend time with honestly God and figure out like, okay, what is your will for my life? And how do I sign up for that? Versus like, let me go do all the things that I want to do.

Um, and I was on that path, but it's interesting how I just got redirected back here. 

Mm hmm. But it gives you greater clarity when you focus on identity. It really does. Yeah. I mean even down to understanding Your name and who you are and why your parents even just all of that your history I remember when I asked my mom, you know, my name is Tiffany Chanel.

Mm hmm And it was brown and my nickname is Coco so and I always thought when I was really little that it was because of my complexion but the rest of my mother and her side they're very fair skinned and so But that was not at all the case my mother Named me after the finest diamond. She was a buyer in New York worked at Tiffany's and Coco Chanel was the perfume and one of the designers that she had the opportunity to be involved and engaged with and so this story of Leaving a fragrance in a space that people will remember was the piece of that Coco Chanel.

So that's the only perfume I wear now. Yeah. Was part of where that name came from. Wow. I mean, I just found that powerful for me to say my mother saw in me something that she wants me to see in myself that you are good enough because God made you and placed you here. Yeah. You know, so that seems to Conversation about identity and who are you and those, the individuals that, um, gave you the opportunities that you have, your parents or the community.

Boss that gave you the job that you have. What did they see in you? And I pray that you see that in yourself. And if you don't, how can I help you develop that? So that your better self continues to grow and develop on this, you know, life journey. It is an incredible opportunity to be able to walk alongside leaders and future leaders and young people who are just figuring out who they are.

We start the year in Topeka Public Schools with What's Your Why, even with kindergarten. It's really great. 

That's amazing. In kindergarten, what is your why? What's 

your why? Yeah. And beginning that conversation, who are you? Even in kindergarten. Wow. Yeah. That's beautiful. That's powerful. It really is. Dr.

New, who was my co partner for the Methodist Women of New England last month in that speaking space and that was a retreat for a few days, and um, we started with silhouette sisters and having these silhouettes and really the conversation to these pastors about who are you. and all the aspects of, uh, what guides you and leads you and brings you into ministry.

So, even, you know, pastors in this space of really figuring out who am I when challenge comes. And the more that you know that, the more that you know identity, the stronger and firmer you will be when challenge does come. The, the stronger and firmer you will be, will be able, with being able to make decisions quickly.

Without questioning the decision that you make, you know, that it's, it's an important piece and you're right. People do often skip over that and they want to be what people tell them they should be. Um, or the job they feel like, um, gives them value, not knowing you already have value because who you are.

Exactly. I, you know, I tell people, um, how you start your day and end your day is really important. And, um, even physiologically, when you think about how people are built up, because some people aren't as sure about who they are just because they, um, Haven't learned ways to have that kind of balance. And so I start with joy and I teach people how to start with peace and joy.

They're the beginning of their day and the end of their day. You know, many people start with emails and other kinds of busy things to start your day. Right. The first hour of my day and the last hour of my day. And if it can't be the full hour, certainly at least 30 minutes. And I encourage anyone listening to think of how they begin and then book in that day.

Yeah. If it's not filled with peace and joy, change how you start your day and end your day, and you will change how you feel about self and what's ahead of you and what you've accomplished that day. That's beautiful. 

Well, if people want to learn more about Dr. Anderson and all her books and articles, we are going to drop all of that information down below.

In the meantime, Dr. Anderson, it's always a pleasure talking with you and thank you so much for your time. Thank you for having me. Thanks for watching the Authentic Media Podcast YouTube. At Authentic Media Company, our mission is to help you develop an authentic brand so you can make the impact that you are called to make.

If you got anything from today's episode, make sure you drop a comment down below. I'm interested to see what your takeaways are. And if you haven't already, make sure you're subscribed to our YouTube channel so you can be the first to know when we drop our newest episode. In the meantime, Have a great day.