( ENSPIRE Community Spotlight ) Sandifer Impacts Creatives & Business Owners Through The “Sweet Tee Time” Podcast And The Innovation Project
Tamaira “Miss Tee” Sandifer is not just an entrepreneur but a force of nature, a visionary leader sculpting brighter futures for young people. Through her remarkable organization, Studio T Arts & Entertainment (STAE), Sandifer has cultivated an environment where underserved youths discover and hone their arts, media, and entrepreneurship talents. Her innovative programs extend beyond conventional training, offering opportunities that have brought many into the spotlight, including some of Hollywood’s most promising stars. In 2024, she was honored with the LA Times Inspirational Women Leadership Award for empowering women and minority youth and offering an inclusive arts community.
Her impact is undeniable because of her groundbreaking programs and projects. One of Sandifer’s groundbreaking projects is the $30M project Innovation Factory, which aims to change how arts education is approached. By combining modern technology with creative skills, this initiative will teach young generations both traditional artistic techniques and digital literacy, essential for success in the digital world. In addition, she has impacted initiatives like the STAE Image Shop and the “Sweet Tee Time” Podcast, where entrepreneurs, side hustlers, and self-starters can receive inspiration, advice, and informational conversations on how they can grow.
Sandifer discusses the impact of the LA Times Inspirational Women Leadership Award and how it reflects her journey personally and professionally thus far. She continues to share information on the Innovation Factory project and how it will shape the creative industry. In addition, she gets vulnerable and shares her challenges when transforming youth arts education and the advice she would offer to help them succeed. Furthermore, Sandifer delves into founding and leading Studio T Arts & Entertainment and how it influences her growth, including the impact of the initiatives STAE Image Shop and the ‘Sweet Tee Time’ podcast and more.
Winning the 2024 LA Times Inspirational Women Leadership Award is a remarkable achievement. How did that recognition reflect your journey, and what does it mean to you personally and professionally?
It’s remarkable when leadership in your craft recognizes your heart for others. This recognition speaks volumes about the hard work, dedication, and countless hours I have poured into my mission to help others live better lives. Growing up in an environment where opportunities were scarce, I held on to the dream of becoming more than my environment and education through dim and depressing statistics suggested I could be.
This award isn’t just for me; it represents every young person who has walked through Studio T Arts & Entertainment’s doors and youth who have found purpose through dance, media, or entrepreneurship. It’s a reminder that no matter where you start, if you stay committed to your purpose, you can create waves of change that will ripple through time and touch many lives. Professionally, it strengthens my resolve to keep pushing forward, especially for my youth, who work just as hard to beat the odds and become the best version of themselves.
The Innovation Factory is an ambitious $30M project to transform youth arts education. How do you envision it shaping the future of creative industries, both locally and nationally?
The Innovation Factory is our blueprint for revolutionizing youth arts education and servicing agencies for trauma-informed and resource-starved communities. This $30M investment is not just in building infrastructure. It’s an investment in our creative workforce and the world leaders of tomorrow—youth who will shape creative industries and redefine what it means to succeed. On a local level, it’s a game changer, starting in the City of Sacramento, creating our first series of spaces where young people can explore their passions safely and gain hands-on experience.
Nationally, our vision is for this model to spark a movement, reaching cities like Harlem, Philadelphia, Tulsa, and Atlanta by 2026. These young artists and entrepreneurs will be equipped with the skills. They will gain access to real career opportunities to thrive in the creative industry, craft their opportunities, and pave the way for future generations.
What were some of the most significant challenges you faced while empowering young creatives, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge has been breaking down the systemic barriers that keep these kids from seeing their true potential. Whether it’s a lack of resources, mentorship, or simply not having a space where they can grow, I’ve seen how these hurdles can stifle a creative spirit.
But I’ve never let that stop me. Overcoming these challenges required creativity, determination, and much heart. I invested everything—my own home, my time, my energy, myself—into Studio T Arts, and through creative program engineering, decades-tested community partnerships building, and constant reinvention, we’ve built a space and a service where youth and their families are empowered to create and innovate despite the odds stacked against them. It is so rewarding to watch others have better lives and live better.
What key advice would you offer for young creatives aspiring to succeed in entertainment and beyond, especially regarding resilience and navigating systemic barriers?
My advice is simple: Keep pushing forward, even when the world says “no.” Resilience is key to success, especially in creative industries where rejection can be part of the journey. Recognize systemic barriers, and never permit them to define you. Use them as fuel to solve communal problems that cause others to stumble. Let it become the strength you carry into every meeting and every mission that allows your voice and talent to bring about lasting change. Surround yourself with mentors who believe in you.
Lastly, remain teachable; there is always something more to learn. The key to navigating barriers is to be relentless and never settle for anything less than your dreams. You are the architect of your life, and you have all the power to shape it into whatever you want.
With Studio T serving over 880,000 youth and expanding programs nationwide, what legacy do you hope to leave through your work, and how do you define success in this mission?
My legacy is simple: I want to be remembered as someone who showed up and did their part, opening doors for the next several generations to have the tools and resources they needed to succeed. A shy girl from the hard Bay Area streets who wasn’t afraid to reinvent herself again and again to create international, safe, empowering spaces for youth and their families where they could explore their creativity and show up stronger in life.
Success for me isn’t about numbers or accolades—it’s about seeing a young person who walks into STAE unsure of their path and leaves with confidence, purpose, and a bold belief in their ability to change the world. I’ve done my job if I can continue impacting lives like that. My continued mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, can be happy and live the life of their dreams.
How has founding and leading Studio T Arts & Entertainment influenced your personal growth significantly as you’ve expanded your impact through initiatives like the STAE Image Shop and the ‘Sweet Tee Time’ podcast?
Studio T Arts has been a massive part of my personal growth. It taught me how to give better and love more. Every obstacle has taught me about effective leadership, vision expansion, and the severe importance of community. Expanding into projects like the STAE Image Shop and the ‘Sweet Tee Time’ podcast has given me even more tools to impact people worldwide.
These initiatives allow me to connect with the community in different ways—whether it’s offering mentorship on entrepreneurship or discussing the importance of mental wellness. The more I grow, the more I realize how essential it is to be intentional about lifting others up along with me. That keeps me focused and driven: creating opportunities that allow people to shine uniquely.
Tamaira “Miss Tee” Sandifer’s journey is transformative, filled with the power of passion and purpose. Studio T Arts & Entertainment is shaping talented individuals and instilling invaluable life skills and entrepreneurial mindsets in underserved youth. Her innovative and inclusive vision continues to grow through all her projects and programs. She is a pivotal figure in youth development and arts education and a leader for business owners and creative side hustlers. Follow Tamaira “Miss Tee” Sandifer on Instagram for more updates on projects and programs. You can visit https://www.studiotarts.org/ to view memberships, class schedules, and business services. To listen to Sandifer’s Podcast “Sweet Tee Time,” go to her YouTube channel.
Related Articles: Grace A. Johnson-Wright Is a Dancing Trailblazer, Teaching Youths and Adults Alike, LEAP’s School’s Out Theater Program Empowers NY Youth Through the Arts
