Changing the Trajectory of Young Lives – Tiffany Ford
- Jaret B Barron
- Jun 22
- 2 min read
Founder of Leaders & Legends Performing Arts Academy, Jasai Awards 2025 Honoree
Tiffany Ford isn’t just building programs, she’s building futures. As the founder of Leaders & Legends Performing Arts Academy, Tiffany has spent over a decade creating safe, expressive, and transformative spaces for the youth of Southwest Philadelphia. Her vision is bold, clear, and rooted in lived experience: a fully funded performing arts center where all children, regardless of background, can discover their voice through dance, drama, and music.
Growing up in Southwest Philly, Tiffany saw firsthand how limited access to the arts impacted her community. But for her, the arts were more than a pastime, they were refuge, expression, and empowerment. That spark became her mission: to give children the opportunity to explore their creativity and change the trajectory of their lives.
Her journey is as powerful as her purpose. Tiffany began formal training in ballet, jazz, and modern dance at Progressive Center for Dance and Hedy Rock Dance Studio. She attended the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) and continued her education at West Chester University, combining deep artistic training with an emerging vision for community, centered programming.
Since launching Leaders & Legends in 2014, Tiffany has recruited Philadelphia’s top teaching artists and developed a curriculum that fuses traditional academics with expressive arts. Programs start as early as preschool and are designed to meet families where they are, affordable, inclusive, and led with intention. She also owns Little Leaders Learning Academy and co-owns Stages Community School, making her a trailblazer in both the educational and performing arts landscapes.
Tiffany’s reach has extended beyond the city limits. Her work has been featured in Grit Daily, Sheen Magazine, and ENSPIRE Magazine, and her performance teams have earned national recognition. Nicknamed "The Childcare Guru," Tiffany's leadership continues to challenge what accessible, high, quality arts education can look like.
Coming up next: Shrek Jr., a full student production that invites youth to stretch their creativity, storytelling, and confidence. Tiffany is also expanding outreach and partnerships to make sure more kids in Southwest Philly get a shot at the stage and at the life, changing magic of performance.
🌟 This August, we honor Tiffany Ford for her vision, her action, and her unwavering belief in the power of the arts to heal, uplift, and transform.
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