We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiffany Scales and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Tiffany, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
11/30/10 I asked God not to wake me up in the morning without purpose. I woke up 12/1/10 from a dream and immediately went into action. By 12/10/10 I filed with the state as a nonprofit, my first poetry feature was 12/17/10 where people brought donations of hygiene items to attend, and 12 families received plentiful kits before Christmas.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started working at FedEx Ground in October 2013 as a temp, and within 1 month was hired as a full time operations administrator. In 2015, I was pushed in the hallway in front of a camera by a coworker-and reported her. Weeks passed and I was told too much time had lapsed to run the tapes back. Soon after I was offered a position at JAM Distributing and accepted it because I felt disrespected by my supervisor and coworker. Within a month at JAM I learned they were not distributing what they claimed and I refused to sign off on the reports- I attempted to return to FedEx but my applications weren’t progressing to interviews. I went to FedEx Express as a material handler and when a package handler position opened at FedEx Ground I went back. I spent 6 months in that role before getting a district position as a Customer Pickup Coordinator in Webster. I spent 2016-2021 officially in that role- however I went on an unpaid leave of absence in October 2019 after a few months of torment by my colleagues and silence by my supervisor and HR.
In 2017, Toiletries For Families sent 3 tons of hygiene products to Puerto Rico, along with shipments to Mexico, Corpus Christi, and Europe. We distributed hygiene supplies throughout Houston, Friendswood, Dickinson, Beaumont, and Port Arthur. In 2018 I was nominated as the FedEx Ground Humanitarian of the year and was awarded the title in 2019.
I was flown to Pittsburgh where my name was displayed on the Jumbotron at the Steelers Stadium and I met many top executives from FedEx. I’d been looking for some D&I presence for a while and there I met the person over the division for the company. I shared my concerns of FedEx supporting pride in 4 cities that didn’t add up to the size of Houston and said I want to support Pride at home too.
I was awarded a budget to cover the cost of registration for the festival and parade, the only time FedEx Ground was involved with Pride Houston. Upon my return to work- after receiving approval from legal and branding I posted signs to get volunteers for the festival and parade.
I was immediately ostracized by by peers and treated so badly I couldn’t bear another day in the office. I attempted to request a remote role and applied to other places only to end up taking an unpaid leave. I resigned in March 2021.
Life continued and I made it through the pandemic-but was discriminated against during my role in Human Resources at Target.
One thing I want to say, is I am having a human experience where the impact of hostile work environments have been detrimental to my health and at no point have my circumstances stopped me from focusing on my purpose.
I serve and create and while I am back at FedEx, since March (I literally was fired from Target after reporting my supervisors * one called me a caged bird that needs to sing freely and another called me a genetic mix up among other things * after looking for work for a year) and have been very unhappy with the experience.
I pray and take deep breaths to overcome challenges and I speak up for myself and others because silence is a statement I don’t always agree with-
I serve & create less due to finances but nonetheless I serve & create.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Sunday, we would go to Poetry Lounge at Henke & Pilot Monday, #meetmeatthesavoy
Tuesday, we would go to Oishii #takotuesday and enjoy #TiffYLou bowls and the best fresh sushi in Houston!
Wednesday we would go to Write About Now
Thursday we would go to The Lounge at Six with Snow Industies and enjoy the Thai food!
Depending on which week of the month we would either go to 1st Fridays at Inprint, Heart & Soul, or We Go Live
Saturday- well if it’s the 28th of June 2025 we would be at the 47th Annual Pride Celebration with Pride Houston 365
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Thank You God
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