Negativity and selfishness gets great publicity in our social networking, indirect-contact society. You’d be led to believe the world’s running low on good people and that no one cares for or respects one another anymore. Their only concerns are themselves; and when they’re in need, no one is willing to lend them a hand without reward.
This is not the case. Kind, caring, selflessly-generous people still exist. Tiffany Norde is a shining example.
An acclaimed and respected entrepreneur, Tiffany is the owner of Dancing with the Nordes, LLC. Along with her husband David they use dancing to educate, entertain, inspire confidence, and unify their Lansing, Michigan community. Using a variety of music and dance styles, they offer their services to adults, children, weddings, groups, and one-on-one clients. She’s also the owner of Students Earning Educational Dollars (S.E.E.D.S.), a scholarship coaching program for high school students and their parents.
An inspiring speaker and writer, Tiffany is the author of More Than a Wife, More Than a Mother. In it she provides “8 steps to restoring the woman within”. While good at what she does she’s also a good person and one who believes in helping others.
I asked Tiffany Norde to tell me about a time when she did something nice for someone that she didn’t know. Here’s what she shared.
“Well, that someone was the Black community in Lansing.
When my husband and I, and our family, moved here in January of 2019 we came here because of our jobs we once had here, but we really missed our community and family back in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
After living here for about a year I noticed how divided the Black community was. It was just different, in my opinion. Through observation and talking to people it just seemed like our beautiful Black community was divided into 4 quadrants, and each quadrant stayed to themselves and served themselves.
It was a struggle when we moved here to find a Black doctor, Black hairdresser, and other Black businesses and activities to participate in.
As a result, I created a Facebook community group with a good friend of mine, Najeema Thomas. It’s called Black People Lansing Michigan, or better known as BPLM in 2020, to aid in breaking down those walls of communication that divided us.
I knew this group wouldn’t be for everyone, but I knew I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. So, my friend and I sat at my kitchen table and invited all our contacts that lived in the Greater Lansing Area to be a part of this private group. From there it grew to over 500 members in just a few months!
What compelled me to do this was our longing and need for community which we all felt the importance of during this pandemic that we’re surviving and thriving through.
A saying that Najeema and I would say was “no competition just collaboration”. With all the Black people and residents in general here there is enough business for us all to do well and support our families and community!
Did I know the people we’ve helped so far? No, not at all. But, when the Black community wherever I live does well, my family has great events to go to, friendships can forge, and my kids can grow up seeing examples of Black entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, police officers, judges, teachers, families, and so forth.
It’s a blessing and I’m excited to see the growth, future collaborations with the city, and exposure and positive vibes that will be cultivated by the Black community in Lansing!” |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
“We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving.” – ‘We Are the World’
