Tamaira Sandifer, affectionately known as “Miss Tee,” boasts over 30 years in dance and youth advocacy and has mentored over 880,000 youth. Now nationally recognized by Forbes as a Culture Champion and CA Legislative Caucus as Woman of The Year, Sandifer founded her nonprofit Studio T Arts & Entertainment in 2005, leveraging dance as a tool for connection to provide economic and emotional pathways for youth. Overcoming her systemic disadvantages growing up in Richmond, CA, raised on welfare by a single mom with five siblings, Sandifer was inspired to pay the passion that saved her forward. She’s dedicated her life to serving families and youth facing poverty with critical support through the arts, financial education, life skills training, after-school programs, and more.

Developing her impact further during the pandemic, she launched popular distance learning programs PassToClass.com and Side Hustle Academy, serving over 192,000 youth and 7,800 educators. Sandifer’s change-making footprint is expanding globally, starting with opening a 36,000-square-foot ‘Innovation Factory’ in Sacramento to support local businesses and train youth in creative entrepreneurship, dance, and media. Studio T Arts & Entertainment is opening facilities in areas rich with young creative talent throughout the United States, such as Tulsa, OK, Philadephia, PA, Atlanta, GA, and Harlem, NY.

As the founder of California’s Day of Dance, Sandifer celebrates dance diversity statewide, culminating in the televised “Dream Makers Awards.” She holds board positions in organizations such as Americans for the Arts and Californians for the Arts, with her graduates working globally with top artists such as Usher, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and more. Honored by Forbes and recognized for her philanthropy and leadership, Sandifer continues to uplift youth around the globe and advocate for the arts, leaving a lasting legacy of love and empowerment.