Meet Tiffani Carter | Mentor, Prayer Warrior & Victorious Crusader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiffani Carter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffani, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thoughts behind starting Identity139 are quite simple: SAFE SISTERHOOD. I wanted to create something that any and every woman could be able to benefit from when it came down to learning, knowing, and growing in their identity. Majority of my life I have seen women (myself included) acquiesce to someone who they truly aren’t for the sake of acceptance. I wanted women to know that it was okay to be different and yet still be loved, accepted and impactful wherever they are. I wanted women to know that you can hold a separate belief with other women and still form a bond and genuine friendship. I wanted women to know that they still matter even if they are unsure of who they are or what their purpose in life may be. I wanted to break the barriers that have been caused by religion, social media, criticism, misunderstandings, pettiness, and insecurities that kept women from coming together in authentic sisterhood. I want to make a difference in how women are portrayed when it comes to one another.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am currently a Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant and have been for the past 17 years. I love helping people and caring for others and aspire to become a Registered Nurse with the end goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. I believe my uniqueness sets me apart from others. I have grown to understand that I tend to think differently from others so my understanding and perspective will always be “outside of the box” so to speak. I am most proud of how much I have overcome and my willingness to refuse defeat. I am excited about my pursuit of nursing school and the countless lives that I will have the opportunity to be a part of. It certainly was not easy getting to where I am today professionally. I started working in this field at a very young age and had to learn a lot. I was in my very early 20’s and had to learn how to manage myself both professionally and emotionally which wasn’t easy initially. However, I had some amazing women who were willing and ready to help me with those areas of my life and through the years I began to grow more maturely in those areas which positively catapulted me in leadership areas in my field. I really had to learn to be honest with myself and do the work to overcome. It can be tough to accept those ugly areas about yourself, but the truth is that they don’t have to remain part of who you are. You can change them, but there must be an unshakable desire to do the work. Once I became willing to do the work, I started the journey of becoming a better person in general. I learned that in this life you are in control of yourself. What I mean by that is that no matter what events unfold, or what unfairness occurs, I am in control of how I chose to respond or if I chose to react. My reactions to situations have gotten me into some trouble and even began to form an unauthenticated reputation of me. It was then that I realized that the change needed to be made quickly. I could not expect to be given a chance to reveal my true self and work ethic when others already held a view of me based on experiences that blazed with tension. I had to learn to remain true to myself no matter what is going on. Truthfully, I am still learning this. I want the world to know that Identity139 is the space to allow your heart, mind, soul, and spirit to completely release! Bleed out, cry out, break down if you need to! I want the world to know that we are a circle of safety for those to do exactly that without the fear of judgement, criticism, nor gossip. We are about healing, unity, sisterhood, and growth. I have been the one who needed the safe space so many times in life and now that God has grown me to this point, I want to be this for others so they can finally experience true freedom in their unique and authentic selves. Identity 139 has a podcast where we have authentic and transparent discussions about various topics that help us to further embrace and live out our true selves. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Anchor on Monday’s at 7:30 pm from June-December yearly. Be on the lookout for season 2 coming this June!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well both of my best friends are so much fun. They know how to have a good time and make the best of any situation. Our itinerary would first begin with a gourmet breakfast followed by a 90-minute massage at an upscale spa parlor. Next, we would head to a shopping mall or outlet that none of us have ever visited before so we could experience something new! We would find a nice brunch/lunch spot to hang out and wind out at before heading back to the hotel and resting. Later that evening, we would catch a concert with New Edition, Usher, and Jagged Edge and finish the night over dinner at Dakota’s Steakhouse. Nothing too grand, but enough to show them a great time. I’m a simple lady so it doesn’t take much for me to have a good time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow! There are so many who have helped me to become the woman that I am today whether it was a small encounter or a big one. I first must give Honor and Recognition to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Without Him I would not be who I am today, and I am just getting started. I also want to recognize my husband Jamal Carter Jr who has made such a positive impact in my life. Being married to him is one of the best decisions that I have ever made! His love, patience, wisdom, and challenging heart has helped me to not only see myself and my flaws but has encouraged me to face them while walking beside me as I did and continue to do. Being his wife challenged me out of my comfort zone and for that I am forever grateful! Next. my Mother Eva Townsel whose independent, strong, and resilient spirit helped me identify with my own strong and resilient spirit. Not once in life do I recall ever seeing her give up which is why I believe I have the determination that I have today. My beautiful children- Kameron and Brianna who light up my entire life. Their unconditional love for their mother has been the driving force in my motivation. I have a host of friends who have been super influential and impactful in my life! There are too many to name and I don’t want to upset anyone, but THEY ALL know who they are!!! Last but certainly not least is Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts! My goodness, that woman has helped me to evolve in so many ways as a woman, wife, mother, sister, and friend. Her brand and her style encourage me to embrace who I am while encouraging other women to do the same. Her life, transparency and boldness has pushed me to be unapologetic in who I am all while keeping myself positioned to learn more and stay on the road to being better. Her books “Don’t Settle for Safe” and “Woman Evolve” are the most impactful books that I would like to give some credit to for the woman that you see before you today.

Instagram: identity139mentoring; mrstiffanicarter

Facebook: Tiffani Carter; Identity139

Image Credits
Cerone Lacey Photography Captured By Dillard- Dillard Gibson