Meet Trailblazer Dr. Tiffany M. Gethers

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Tiffany M. Gethers.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised on the south-side of Chicago. Since I was a young girl, I always had an appreciation and deep love for education and helping others. In school, I strived for excellence in my academic courses and extracurricular endeavors. In life, I set goals and worked hard to achieve them. I had dreams of becoming so many things throughout the years, but leading my own business and philanthropy were always the burning desires of my heart. I did not know what type of business, I just felt that starting my own was something that I was supposed to do.

I started my professional career as a public relations practitioner. That was my first job after I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in 1999 in Public Relations. While pursuing my master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications, I worked in the industry at a public relations firm for a few years until I was laid off. I then began freelancing in the field. I was the publicist for a local playwright, musician, and actress. I also planned and publicized outreach events for community organizations. That was my first stab at entrepreneurship. While freelancing, I took a job part-time job at a church where publicity was also a portion of my responsibilities.

In 2005, I transitioned to working as an administrator at a higher education institution. That opportunity was exciting at first and brought new challenges. However, I was unfulfilled. I felt like something was missing and that I needed to be doing something on a greater level, more fulfilling. Searching for my purpose, I started volunteering as the co-chair of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event. In that role, I led a committee of volunteers in event planning, fundraising, I secured corporate sponsorships and donations, recruited teams, and promoted the event via traditional marketing and speaking at village council meetings. Making a difference in the lives of others felt so good. I thought it would be amazing to be able to have a full-time position working in that capacity. The only problem was every job opportunity that I sought in that field did not pay well. So, I chose money over happiness. Thus, I continued to work unfulfilled for years holding myself hostage to a certain salary. In my search for “purpose with pay”, I took my second stab at entrepreneurship and formed an integrated marketing consultancy. I began developing and implementing integrated marketing plans for clients in various industries. However, something was still missing on the inside of me.

In the midst of my doctoral studies in interdisciplinary leadership, while learning theories of leadership, it became increasingly clear what I was supposed to be doing. It’s amazing how God works. I began to have vivid dreams about how to utilize my talents and expertise in a fulfilling way. He has connected me with people and resources that provided mentorship and support and I am forever grateful.

Has it been a smooth road?
The road to where I am today has definitely not been an easy one. Perseverance, resilience, and sacrifice, always enabled me to keep moving forward in the midst of a storm. I became pregnant with my first child at age 18, right after high school graduation and before I entered college. I found out about it when I was two months into my first year of college at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIUC). I was numb when I first received the news, then I began feeling afraid. I was afraid because I knew that the journey for me, as a young single mother, would not be an easy one. Since my baby was due in the middle of my second semester of college, I left SIUC after my first semester and returned home to live with my parents. I did not have a job and I felt hopeless because I was dependent upon my parents once again, but this time, it would be with a baby. I had to get on public assistance so that I could have medical care during my pregnancy and a means to provide some level of support after my daughter was born. I was embarrassed and disappointed in myself. Although my life was not going according to my plan, I understood that a dream deferred was not a dream denied. My “setback” was really my blessing as it pushed me to work harder than ever before. After one year, I began working full-time and was able to get off of public assistance. I had two part-time jobs at my college for a while, and then landed a full-time job at a consulting firm. I worked full-time during the day and went to school full-time in the evening. I was blessed with a supportive family that helped me tremendously during this time. My mother altered her work hours, and then eventually quit her job so that she could care for my daughter while I was in school. When she started daycare at age 2, my parents and siblings took turns picking my daughter up. While the support I received was substantial, the fact that I barely saw my child for more than 3-4 hours a day, for 7 years (the time it took me to complete my bachelor’s and master’s programs) was heartbreaking and challenging. Perseverance, resilience and my willingness to make sacrifices got me through those times.

Fast forward 12 years to 2013, I began to pursue my dream of attaining a doctorate degree. My journey to obtaining it was an arduous one, but I drew from what I knew would get me across the finish line: perseverance, resilience, and sacrifice. While pursuing my doctorate, I experienced major life events that could have made me lose focus. I was reunited with the love of my life and got married, had a heartbreaking miscarriage, and a high-risk pregnancy with complications that resulted in bed rest while I was conducting my research – a critical juncture in my studies. However, my ability to stay focused enabled me to complete my studies on time within a three-year time frame.

My advice to young women just starting their journey is to hold on to your dreams and absolutely refuse to let them go. Regardless of your circumstances, regardless of your fears and doubts, regardless of any non-support from family and friends – keep your dreams close and in sight and do what is required to achieve them. I know personally that the ingredients of transforming a dream into a reality are faith, sacrifice, and perseverance.

We’d love to hear more about The 2Gethers Foundation.
My work is dedicated to empowering students through my non-profit, and developing aspiring and new women entrepreneurs. I am the Co-Founder, President, and CEO of The 2Gethers Foundation, an Illinois non-profit (501c3) organization whose specific purpose is to address barriers that first-generation students face so that they can successfully persist through higher education and attain a college degree. Students are classified as first-generation if they are the first in their families to attend college or if neither of their parent(s) or guardian(s) has obtained a bachelor’s degree. The 2Gethers Foundation was founded by myself and my husband, David A. Gethers, on the firm belief that every student deserves a chance to go to college. Reflections from our personal experiences as first-generation students, we founded an organization dedicated to improving access to higher education, student success, and retention rates particularly among at risk student -populations. The 2Gethers Foundation was inspired by my doctoral research on the retention and persistence of first-year, first-generation college students. It was important for me to transform my research into an imperative cause that would enable me to address some of the problems identified to help ensure the successful academic and social outcomes for first-generation students. As an organization, I am most proud that on August 4, 2018, we were able to bless four deserving first-generation students with scholarships to help defray their college expenses. I find that impressive being that we just organized in January 2018.

As a service provider, I help professional women (aspiring and new entrepreneurs) with small business and leadership development. I help them transform their expertise and/or passions into small businesses. I lead monthly mastermind sessions, facilitate interactive workshops, provide 1-on-1 and group strategy sessions, and connect them to resources and industry-specific experts to foster their business and leadership development.

I believe what sets me apart from others is that I do not accept no as an option. When I set my mind on something – I am determined to achieve it. Even if it means creating my own opportunities, which I have done with my current endeavors. I am very proud that my dreams of entrepreneurship and leading a charitable organization has come full circle.

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I feel that women are well-positioned for leadership positions across industries, especially being Founders and CEO of their own companies. Women have indeed come a long way in the workplace and global economy. Many women have cracked the “glass ceiling” and some has even broken it. However, challenges and bias still exist as it relates to women. I am finding that an increasing amount of women are taking the skills and expertise gleaned from the workplace and creating their own opportunities that enable them to soar beyond barriers while providing the flexibility and limitless levels of creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.2gethersfoundation.org
• Phone: 708.966.9491
• Email: drtg@2gethersfoundation.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the2gethersfoundation/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2GethersFoundation/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/@2GFoundation

Image Credit:
Felice M. Kimbrew, Eric Rosas, David A. Gethers

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