Did you hear the one about the Crooks in Alabama and how one of them came to Charlotte? Well, no worries. We’re here to spill the tea. Just kidding. In all seriousness, educator and Charlotte Pride’s Flourish Coordinator Tiffany Crooks (originally from Huntsville, Ala.) is a warm and intuitive soul who now proudly calls the Queen City home. From her blue two-story house in East Charlotte, she spoke with us. With a passion for the arts and serving community, Crooks granted us some time to get to know her better.
L’Monique King: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Tiffany Crooks: <Chuckling> A lot of things. A WNBA player, then an olympic volleyball player. Physical [professions] spoke to me. Somehow my interest changed around high school when I really started to enjoy signing in a choir – while playing volleyball with my team. Eventually I went to school for music education.
LMK: What brought you to Charlotte?
TC: A job in music education. I was a music teacher at an elementary school.
LMK: Do you share your life and home with anyone special?
TC: Yes, my girlfriend. We’ve been together for two and half years. We just recently moved into our house in December. I love my home. It’s an automatic zen space. I can just relax and let the cares of the day disappear. My girlfriend loves our home too. She’s decorated so nicely with her teal, emerald, green, mauve, peach color palette. She’s a big earth tone person.
LMK: You sound enamored. What draws you to her?
TC: She is an amazing singer and very compassionate. She’s very understanding and the person that challenged me to think about whether I seek to be understood or to understand. She has me leaning so much more into understanding others – it’s important because it provides open mindedness. You miss that many times when you solely seek to be understood. So, she’s taught me to have greater empathy. MLK [having a dream for his children and the future of America] said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” When you seek to understand, you build more character. That’s what I’ve come to understand by way of my girlfriend. I am better because of her – every moment, every day.
LMK: How are you surviving? How do you make your livelihood?
TC: I am a music educator, a music teacher and a private voice instructor.
LMK: What’s your involvement in Charlotte Pride?
TC: When I’m not educating, I am volunteering. One of the first organizations I got involved with as a volunteer was Charlotte Pride. In 2018 they needed someone to coordinate for Flourish [a signature arts and culture program featuring varied performers]. They hadn’t found anyone when I approached Jerry Yelton, a previous Charlotte Pride staff member. Shortly thereafter I assumed the role of Flourish coordinator.
LMK: It’s Pride Season. What historical LGBTQ figure or fact do you want our readers to know that they might not?
TC: No matter how much these laws and things try to twist us, remember, we have always been here, part of society forever. I’ve done my own research on people who aren’t as known because of the time in which they lived, people like Barbara Jordan [1936-1996; an attorney, civil rights leader, lawmaker, and the first LGBTQ woman in Congress] and others. I would encourage delving especially into Queer Southern history. There’s a project called Invisible Histories that focuses on LGBT history in the deep south and it’s a wonderful resource for learning more.
LMK: As an educator, a Charlotte Pride Coordinator and an LGBTQ community member, what concerns you most about all the recent anti-LGBTQ legislation?
TC: <Sigh, long pause> People giving into the fear and not living. When I think about how much fear has surfaced because of so many laws. I just want to say get up! Protest and keep creating. Keep living. And keep loving. Loving is the complete antithesis to fear. Showing up in that love can sometimes change people’s minds and free them from their own boxed fear. As an LGBTQ educator, it’s always been a journey and a dance. I typically dress more masculine but I play with androgyny. You won’t find me in a skirt but I may wear a more feminine shirt at times.
LMK: If you suddenly awoke as another gender what’s the first thing you would do?
TC: I would still probably delve into feminine and masculine clothing but I don’t think much would change for me. I am a person who chooses love, regardless of gender. So, if you’re nonbinary, trans, male, female, the list goes on – it’s about the connection for me. I’m pansexual.
LMK: Aside from your joy and ability in showing, sharing and experiencing love inclusively, what’s your gift?
TC: There are too many to name <giggling> – I’m still discovering many and others I’ve run away from. <Brief reflective pause> Leadership, is a gift and something to continually develop. In leadership I am able to understand how I am inspiring and empowering people to accomplish the bigger goal. With that comes the need and ability to delegate – freeing me up to focus on other big pieces in event organization.
LMK: What would you say is your proudest moment in life to date?
TC: Successfully giving two senior recitals for my college degrees [music education and musical composition]. For one recital I had to create all the music and sing all the music for the other.
LMK: Dumbest thing you ever did?
TC: Eating slices of jalapenos without drinking anything for a one dollar bet while in middle school. I didn’t know at the time that you should drink milk to calm the heat and was sick for the rest of the day. The school called my mom and she told me she already knew, “God had told her that I’d done something dumb that day.” <Raucous laughter>
LMK: Outside of a glass of milk, how do you find peace during stressful or turbulent times?TC: It’s been a journey. I grew up Christian which can be turbulent in itself as an LGBTQ+ community member. I have family that does not agree with my “lifestyle” – but what has gotten me through those times is my higher power. I call it Great One Divine because it’s a reminder that there is a source that I am connected to that loves me, so beautifully as I am, wanting me to grow into the person they designed me to be on this earth.