Tiffara Steward is the Founder of Up For the Challenge and serves as its chief motivational speaker.  It has long been Tiffara’s desire to inspire and challenge the youth of America to pursue their dreams in spite of difficulties, obstacles and seemingly insurmountable circumstances because of the tumultuous experiences she faced as a child.

​

Tiffara Steward was born three months premature, weighing two pounds and fifteen ounces. She was born without a cornea, leaving her blind in her right eye and she has hearing loss in both ears.  Tiffara also has scoliosis and as a result, one leg is shorter than the other. Additionally, there are vertebrates in her lower back and a rib that did not develop. By the time she was nine, she had undergone seven surgeries.

​

Although Tiffara has faced astounding difficulties throughout her life, she never allowed it to prevent her from pursuing her goals.  In fact, she used it as a catalyst for achievement.  Tiffara played a variety of sports including soccer, volleyball, softball, track and basketball.  By the time she was a sophomore at Sewanhaka high school she was playing softball, volleyball and basketball at the varsity level and went on to play basketball collegiately at Farmingdale State College.

​

Prior to launching, Up For the Challenge, Tiffara held a starring role on a professional show basketball team, The Harlem Ambassadors.  As the lead show-woman for the team’s Stars and Stripes Unit, Tiffara brought laughter, joy and excitement to every event and left fans across the country in awe and inspired.  The Ambassadors provided a platform for Tiffara to not only showcase her abilities as an athlete, but to express to young people the importance of believing in themselves regardless of the obstacles they may face.  She is proof that in spite of unbelievable difficulties one can achieve success if they only believe and pursue their goals.

​

Upon graduating from Sewanhaka High School, Tiffara went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Sports Management, as well as an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Farmingdale State College. Tiffara has inspired many and has garnered several prestigious awards including, The V Foundation “Jimmy V Comeback Award”, The Women’s Sports Foundation “Wilma Rudolph Courage Award” and The U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s “Most Courageous Award”.

​

Tiffara firmly believes in the power of words and the enormous impact she can have by sharing her testimony.  “I want to share my story, share my history, and share my life with others,” she says. “I don’t want anyone to follow my walk, step by step because there were times that I tripped and stumbled. What I want is for everyone to receive my story, and use my life experiences as a testament to what can be accomplished when you have an undying belief in yourself and an unyielding desire to succeed.”