Presenters

Micah J. Taylor

Micah J. Taylor is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt, self-defense instructor, and competitive grappler dedicated to helping students build confidence, develop practical skills, and become stronger both on and off the mat.

With years of training and competition experience, Micah brings real-world technique, competitive knowledge, and a passion for teaching to every student he works with. His experience includes competition with organizations and teams such as the American Grappling Federation, Grappling Den, Summit, NAGA, Super Fights, MMA Concepts, Groundwork, Team Hopkins, and Siege Performance, where he has also competed as a champion.

Micah specializes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, self-defense, grappling fundamentals, competition training, and instruction for both kids and adults. His teaching extends beyond traditional martial arts training to include Gi and No-Gi instruction, group classes, private lessons, school and youth programs, anti-bullying programs, and security and combatives training.

Through TaylorMade Self Defense, Micah's mission is simple: build confidence, develop skills, and change lives. Whether working with a first-time student, a competitive athlete, a child developing discipline and confidence, or someone seeking practical self-defense skills, Micah focuses on teaching techniques that work and creating an environment where every student can grow.

Dr. Tiffany Jefferson

Dr. Tiffany Jefferson stands as a visionary force where educational leadership, world-class artistic distinction, and relentless community advocacy converge. Serving as the Dance Director at Hinds Community College, a published author, and a recognized authority on the Performing Arts and Career and Technical Education (CTE), she has dedicated her life to transforming students into elite professionals and fostering the creative economy through her overarching mission and dance company Montage Theatre of Dance.

Her commitment to academic excellence is grounded in an impressive scholarly background, featuring a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Jackson State University—highlighted by her dissertation on the use of art collective networks in community college performing arts and CTE curricula—alongside a Master of Education in Dance Curriculum and Instruction with a 4.0 GPA from Wichita State University and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Economics from Oklahoma State University. A Lou Wentz Scholar, the 1996 Miss Black Oklahoma, and an All-

American Collegiate Cheerleader, Dr. Jefferson is the 2024 Mrs. Mississippi American and is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

As a performer, choreographer, and producer, Dr. Jefferson's footprint spans elite international venues and major productions, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, the Scottish Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, the Grand Ole Opry, Disney World, and international stages across Italy, Hawaii, and England. Her prolific choreography credits feature prominent productions for New Stage Theatre—such as The Wiz, The Color Purple, Shrek the Musical, Beauty and the Beast, and It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues—as well as Music Theatre of Wichita, Oklahoma Dance Theatre, Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet, and major platforms like the 64th Annual Grammy Awards and Super Bowl LV Halftime. Through her extraordinary mentorship legacy, her students have successfully transitioned to prestigious institutions and professional companies including Harvard University, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Cirque du Soleil, STREB Dance Theatre, the Apollo Theatre, and New York University.

Recognized widely for her contributions, Dr. Jefferson has earned numerous distinguished accolades, including the Dell Keiffner Carnegie Hall Director of the Year (2020), City with Soul Honoree (2020), Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year (2013), the Hinds Hero Award, the Hinds Community College Life Star Award (2018), and numerous choreography awards from premier national dance governing bodies.

Beyond her institutional and artistic direction at Hinds Community College, Dr. Jefferson shares her expertise as a lead instructor at Dance Works Studio in Clinton, MS, and serves as Dance Ministry Director at New Jerusalem Church and Anderson United Methodist Church. As a published author, she remains a staunch advocate for higher education, international studies, and the elevation of African American and Native American arts integration.

Jack Shi

Jack Shi has practiced Tai Chi for many years, carrying on a tradition he first learned from his grandfather. A traditional Chinese martial art, Tai Chi is characterized by slow, flowing movements that promote balance, relaxation, mindfulness, and a deeper connection between the body and mind.

For more than 10 years, Jack has shared his knowledge and passion for Tai Chi with the Mississippi community. His approach to self-wellness centers on cultivating internal health through proper breathing, fluid movement, mindful practice, and total balance. He believes that when the body and mind work together in harmony, individuals can build a stronger foundation for overall health, wellness, and fitness.

Through Tai Chi, Jack encourages others to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and discover the benefits of balance from the inside out.

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