From Survivor to Storyteller: Tiffany White’s Mission for Change

Mar 14 min read

Bridging Film, Wellness, and Advocacy

Tiffany Shanta White is a filmmaker, composer, wellness advocate, and nonprofit executive dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices through storytelling and activism. As the Founder and CEO of TimesUP Productions, Tiffany curates transformative films, events, and initiatives that highlight racial disparities, community healing, and the necessity of wellness as a fundamental right—not a luxury.

Her latest project, the documentary "Do We Really Have Control?", sheds light on the racial disparities in young adult cancer care, a subject deeply personal to her as a cancer survivor. With features on CBS, ABC, and high-profile advocacy panels, Tiffany continues to push for systemic change in healthcare, wellness, and social equity.

The Journey to Creativity and Advocacy

Tiffany’s path into storytelling was shaped by deep personal loss and survival. After beating cancer, losing her son, and experiencing job loss, she found herself in a period of immense grief. During this time, creativity became both her healing and her purpose. She had always been drawn to storytelling but was never given the space to explore it fully. When life forced her to slow down, she finally embraced her passion for film, music, and advocacy as tools for change.

Her journey in advocacy started during undergrad when she became the first Black woman to serve on the University of Missouri - Columbia Food Pantry Board, advocating for students facing food insecurity. This early experience planted the seeds for her commitment to social impact. Today, she continues to influence policy and wellness access as a board member of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University Advisory Board and the Make-A-Wish Foundation Council.

Creating Space for Representation

Through TimesUP Productions, Tiffany is breaking barriers in the film industry by ensuring that marginalized communities are centered in storytelling. Whether through documentaries, events, or community initiatives, her work explores themes of resilience, racial disparities, mental health, and healing.

As a Black woman in filmmaking, Tiffany understands the importance of seeing yourself in the spaces you want to thrive in. She actively works to create inclusive opportunities by:

✔ Producing films that amplify untold stories

✔ Using her documentary to push for policy changes in healthcare

✔ Launching The Nicole House Foundation, an initiative focused on advocacy for chronic illness, mentorship, and wellness equity

✔ Hosting events like "Raise Your Glass," an annual celebration honoring Black women in wellness

The Challenges and Triumphs of a Black Woman Filmmaker

Navigating the film industry as a Black woman has not been easy. Tiffany acknowledges the financial and systemic barriers that make breaking into filmmaking difficult. Funding, securing equipment, and being taken seriously in male-dominated spaces are just a few of the challenges she has faced. However, she remains relentless in her vision, self-funding her documentary and ensuring that every project she undertakes serves a greater purpose.

Her mentors, support network, and faith have played a significant role in her ability to push forward. She credits Black women in her life—both formal mentors and everyday supporters—for affirming her journey and encouraging her to continue telling stories that matter.

The Nicole House Foundation and Health Advocacy

In honor of her late aunt, Tiffany launched The Nicole House Foundation, which will focus on:

✔ Chronic illness advocacy for conditions affecting Black communities

✔ An annual cancer walk highlighting uterine cancer awareness

✔ Mental health services and mentorship programs

✔ Establishing a shelter for domestic violence survivors

This foundation is a reflection of Tiffany’s holistic approach to social impact, blending storytelling with real-world initiatives that directly serve those in need.

Looking Ahead: The Future of TimesUP Productions

In the next five years, Tiffany envisions:

✔ Expanding her film work to create more advocacy-driven documentaries

✔ Growing The Nicole House Foundation into a national initiative

✔ Launching a podcast or talk show focused on wellness and social justice

✔ Building a Black-owned cancer center to address healthcare inequities

Her long-term vision is clear: to create spaces that ensure Black communities receive the care, resources, and representation they deserve.

Advice to Aspiring Creatives and Change-Makers

For Black women looking to step into filmmaking, wellness advocacy, or social impact work, Tiffany offers this advice:

✔ Start where you are—even if you don’t have all the answers yet, take that first step.

✔ Be delusional about your dreams—success requires relentless belief in yourself.

✔ Surround yourself with the right people—mentors, supporters, and networks that align with your vision.

✔ Prioritize discipline and sacrifice—big dreams require big commitment.

✔ Never shrink yourself—take up space, own your power, and don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do.

A Legacy in the Making

Tiffany White is proving that storytelling, healing, and activism can coexist in powerful ways. Through TimesUP Productions, The Nicole House Foundation, and her documentary work, she is building a legacy that ensures Black women and marginalized communities are seen, heard, and supported. Her impact is just beginning, and the future of advocacy-driven storytelling is brighter because of her dedication.

Her work isn’t just about telling stories—it’s about changing lives. And with every project she takes on, Tiffany White is doing just that.