It isn't a feeling we wait for. It's a skill we can learn, practice, and build. I teach the science of how paradigms form and change, and the history to build new ones on.
Another culture has dominated the global African community. Through law, violence, economics, school systems, the media, and marketing, Black children are socially conditioned to view themselves and their community through a lens of subjugation. Across generations, that conditioning shapes what we believe about ourselves, how we behave, and what we believe is possible.
Domination
Control over people and resources
Environment
Socialization through institutions, media, and marketing
Cultural Identity
How one thinks
Self-Concept
How one feels
Behavior
Levels of aspiration
The science that disconnected us from our authentic culture is the same science that will connect us back.
The Sankofa Shift™
Reach back. Rise forward.
Sankofa, from the Akan people of Ghana, means “go back and get it”: reclaim the wisdom of your heritage to build your future. Every keynote and workshop I deliver walks through four steps, adapted for each audience.
01
Unlearn Environment
the limiting beliefs holding you back.
02
Reconnect Cultural Identity
with African history, culture, and identity.
03
Reclaim Self-Concept
self-love, self-worth, confidence, and pride.
04
Rise Behavior
with a new mindset at home, at work, and in your community.
The results
What your audience walks away with.
Parents
Tools to nurture pride, confidence, and a positive self-concept in their children, starting at an early age.
Educators
Practical strategies for culturally affirming classrooms where every child is uplifted.
Professionals & leaders
A framework to lead from self-worth and authentic cultural identity, at work and in their communities.
Students
An understanding of how social conditioning works, and the confidence to define who they are and who they will become.
Keynotes & Workshops
Talks that awaken minds and inspire action.
For conferences, schools, HBCUs, churches, ERGs, community groups, and institutions in Africa and across the diaspora. Every session can be delivered as a keynote, a workshop, or a panel.
Signature keynote
Self-Love Is a Strategy
How loving your authentic culture builds a new mindset.
Format
Keynote or workshop, length tailored to your event
Best for
All audiences, conferences, churches, leaders and teams, corporate ERGs, community events
Keynote
Is It Really Your Culture?
How social conditioning influences your mindset.
Format
Keynote or workshop, length tailored to your event
Best for
Universities, HBCUs, conferences and heritage-month events, churches, Black ERGs
Advanced workshop
Moving Forward
Healing from the effects of oppression.
Format
2-hour workshop, following Is It Really Your Culture? and Self-Love Is a Strategy
Best for
Groups that have completed both: community organizations, HBCUs, churches, Black ERGs
Keynote
The Secret to Empowering Black Children
How honoring your heritage builds leaders.
Format
Keynote or workshop, length tailored to your event
Best for
Parents, educators, schools, libraries
Workshop
The Sankofa Shift Workshop
A hands-on session through all four steps: unlearn, reconnect, reclaim, rise.
Format
Interactive, 4 hours
Best for
Any group that wants hands-on practice
Consulting
Curriculum Development & Consulting
I partner with ministries of education, schools, and universities locally, across Africa, and across the diaspora to develop culturally grounded curriculum that builds identity, confidence, and leadership in students.
Best for
Ministries of education, schools and universities, educational organizations
Format
Consulting engagement, tailored to your institution
In the room
About Tiffney
A mom, a historian at heart, and a believer in possibilities.
My mission is to cultivate a deep love for African identity in Black people and help them build a new mindset.
I launched Bevy & Dave in 2016 to build positive self-identity and leadership skills in Black children early, with toys, games, puzzles, books, and films that connect them to their heritage. After years of working with parents and educators, I realized representation alone couldn't undo the effects of oppression. Learning tools only work when the adults using them have the right mindset. Then a trip to Ghana transformed how my daughter saw Africa and herself. These experiences illuminated the need for a new strategy.
Those experiences, along with my own personal transformation, my research on global Black history and psychology, and a deep desire to help my community, led me to create The Sankofa Shift™ in 2025. It builds on the work I've been doing as a speaker on Black history, heritage, and empowerment since 2017.
My background is in higher education. I spent 11 years at Northern Virginia Community College as Coordinator of Student Life and an adjunct instructor, where I taught leadership courses and developed a Leadership Institute program, after working at several universities.
“Mom, this is not what they show on TV.”
My daughter, after experiencing Ghana for herself. It became the turning point for The Sankofa Shift.
2017
Speaking on Black history, heritage, and empowerment
3 awards
National honors for Bevy & Dave in 2018
2 books
Best Self: A Self-Leadership and Discovery Journal and Bevy & Dave’s Adventures Through History: Dr. Carter G. Woodson
2027
New book: Think: The Secret to Empowerment for the Global Black Community
A few places I've spoken
Howard University
Wilberforce University
ASALH Conference
Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
Rockwell Collins Aerospace
Northern Virginia Community College
African American Student Leadership Experience
Sawubona School of Excellence
Bevy & Dave awards
Toy of the Year Award Finalist, The Toy Association (2018)
Family Choice Award, Family Choice Awards (2018)
Product of the Year Award, Creative Child Magazine (2018)
“Tiffney Laing’s ‘The Secret to Empowering Black Children Workshop’ is essential for parents, children, caregivers, educators and community leaders. Tiffney masterfully helps participants embrace the power of African people…”
Jennifer A. Roberts Founder & Chief Educational Curator, Sawubona School of Excellence
For young leaders
Best Self
A Self-Leadership and Discovery Journal · Special Edition (Hardcover)
Ages 8 and up
This special edition journal was created to support the development of young Black leaders through reflection, education, and inspiration. With this journal, children will be empowered to imagine the possibilities and create positive change in the world.
Inside this journal
★Self-leadership tips
★Global Black history
★Research prompts
★Fun activities
★Writing prompts for reflection and discovery
★Pages for coloring and doodling
★Positive affirmations
★Writing space to express your mind and heart
★A perforated self-leadership pledge certificate to post on the wall or frame
Books are available for purchase at events. Ask about bulk orders for schools, churches, and events.
THINKThe Secret to Empowerment for the Global Black CommunityTiffney T. Laing and Beverly A.L. Laing
Coming 2027
Think
The Secret to Empowerment for the Global Black Community
A new book by Tiffney T. Laing and Beverly A.L. Laing. Be the first to know when it's released: join the Sankofa Shift Community for first news, early updates, and launch events.
Yes. I deliver keynotes and workshops both in person and virtually.
Where do you travel from?
I'm based in Northern Virginia, near Washington, DC, and I travel nationally and internationally for events.
How long are your sessions?
Keynotes and most workshops are tailored to your event. The Sankofa Shift™ Workshop runs 4 hours, and Moving Forward is a 2-hour advanced workshop for groups that have completed Is It Really Your Culture? and Self-Love Is a Strategy.
Can you customize a talk for our audience?
Yes. I tailor every keynote and workshop to your audience, goals, and event. A short discovery call is the best place to start.
What are your speaking fees?
Fees depend on the format, length, audience size, and travel. Request a booking or schedule a discovery call, and I'll send you a quote.
Are your books available at events?
Yes. Books are available for purchase at events, and bulk orders for attendees can be arranged when you book.
Join the community
Join the Sankofa Shift Community
Once a month, receive reflections on self-love, mindset, and African heritage, plus first news about my events and my upcoming book, Think.
