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Tatianna Sims is a recent high school graduate from Princeton, New Jersey. Although she grew up in such a prestigious town, Tatianna saw the disadvantages that minority students faced were constantly overlooked. Like her grandfather, Howard “Sandman” Sims, Tatianna always wanted to help her community through the arts. As a writer, Tatianna inspired others through her powerful poems. Through film, she empowered others to take action and be the change. 

 

            When Tatianna became president of the Princeton chapter of the Minority Student Achievement Network, a national coalition of schools that try to combat the Achievement Gap, she decided to address these issues. Tatianna was prompted to make a documentary about the Achievement Gap and the affect it has on students and educators. She uses her film to open dialogue, educate, and start the conversation about the achievement gap in order to solve this problem. “The Quest: Equalizing Achievement” debuted at the Minority Student Achievement Network National Student Conference in Michigan in October of 2014 and can be viewed on the Minority Student Achievement Network’s national website. Based on the reviews, she received an invitation to preview her film at Princeton High School, John Witherspoon Middle School, and various youth leadership events. Her film was also a finalist for the Project FX film competition and the Nassau film festival. She developed an action plan with her high school that addressed one of the main causes of the Achievement Gap, the disconnection between parents, students, and teachers. A part of the action plan was to grant underprivileged high school students computers, an often overlooked issue that results in the academic failure of many students.

 

            Tatianna is currently working with the Starbucks Corporation to film reflections of racial issues in a roundtable conversation that commenced in Princeton at the Nassau Street location. Tatianna serves as documentarian of the Witherspoon Jackson Neighborhood Stories Project, which is archiving the African American Community in Princeton. She is also in the process of starting a Youth Commission with the Mayor in Princeton as a part of the my brother’s keeper initiative.

 

Additionally, Tatianna is a Her Campus High School Ambassador, a member of the Nordstrom fashion board, a NSHSS College Student Council Member, a Walt Disney Scholar, and Princeton High School’s Poetry Out Loud School Champion. She is also in the works to premiere her new television show.

 

For Tatianna’s work, she has been awarded the Princeton Prize In Race Relations for the Central/Southern Region of New Jersey, an award presented by Princeton University to identify and commend young people who are working to increase understanding and mutual respect among all races. she was also awarded the Unity Award from Not In Our Town, an award given to recipients who promote social justice, economic justice, and educational equality for all, and the Future Arts Leader Award from the Arts Council of Princeton.

 

• At what age did you know you were a success?

 I knew I was a success when I was about 17 years old. At the time, many in my community and beyond, both young and old, started believing my work was not only impactful, but also inspiration, which was a great honor. I brought about change that had the power to influence and that I believe is success.

• What is your definition of success?

My definition of success is happiness and well-being. If you value success as a materialistic goal, then you realize that everyone is not meant to be successful. Unfortunately, our society is based on the haves and have nots. However, If you value success as a spiritual and emotional goal, anyone can be successful if they seize the opportunity to live in their truth.

• What’s the importance of being mentored?

Mentorship is so important to a child's development. As a youth myself, I have positively benefited from my mentors who were both leaders of change and industry. Mentors give youth the inspiration, power, and tools to become the next generation of game changers.

• If you had one word to describe your journey as a business owner, what would it be?

Unexpected

• What was a challenge you overcame that helped you with your future?

A challenge I faced was overcoming my academic struggles. At a young age, I was diagnosed with the learning disability dyslexia. Due to this diagnosis, I faced stigma from both teachers and peers. However when I overcame my own insecurities, I became not only an advocate for education, but also graduated from high school with honors.

• The world would be a better place if……..( please finish the sentence)

• Society becomes inconsequential to our strength to stand up for matters we believe