Catalyst Interview Series: Tiffany Bowers
What initially got you interested in KCCI?
I have a friend, Janae Sermon, who is a former Catalyst. She sparked my interest. I also just wanted to do more in the community, and since I live in the Souththside, this project is closer to my heart.
Can you give us a brief summary of the #iHeartTally project thus far?
The mission was to heighten our city’ visibility, showing that talent is here. Although it’s architectural, it’s also art. We are a community of the arts, and this team wanted to highlight that through various mediums.
[Products of the #iHeartTally team’s efforts include a mural outside the Kleman Plaza parking garage, a mobile sculpture that travels to Tallahassee events, and an urban art park at the corner of South Adams and FAMU Way.]
What are you enjoying most about working on the project?
The exposure to how this process works in terms of raising the funds, drawing the plans, and meeting new people in my community. For me, coming from a political background, it was a different kind of undertaking–something out of the box.
What is the biggest challenge of the project?
The logistics of it all—with 12 people doing 12 different things. It’s been adventure working with all these different personalities. All of us trying to be in one place at the same time has been difficult, but some members have been able to pick up the slack where others are missing, so I’d say we work well as a team.
What are some of your favorite places in Tallahassee?
I love to eat, and I love food. One of my favorite experiences is trying out places in the Centre of Tallahassee like the Italian restaurant +39. Live music at Railroad Square is a good one, too–really anything involving entertainment and the arts.
Who should apply to be a KCCI Community Catalyst?
People interested in Tallahassee. People who love Tallahassee and want to see it do great things. Also those with an interest in the underserved, who like drawing everyone together and making sure everyone has a place.
KCCI’s projects are designed to draw every region of the city together. From my point of view, this has been fulfilling because I feel like I’ve made an impact.