2025 Grantee Spotlight: Black Empowerment & Community Council

Tiffany Jeffers is originally from Baltimore, but in Florida, she’s recognized as the unapologetic heartbeat of the Black community in Osceola County. Her organization, the Black Empowerment & Community Council (BECC), founded in 2024, has quickly cemented itself into the fabric of Central Florida—and we're proud to share that BECC is one of just 10 recipients of AARP Florida’s 2025 Community Challenge grant. In a short time, the organization has made a powerful impact by connecting, uplifting, and advocating for the local community.

The Black Empowerment & Community Council's mission is to provide members of the Black community a space to connect with each other and amplify their voices. This is achieved through mentorship opportunities, community events, and much more.
 
"We have all different programs in Osceola County," explains Jeffers. "If you want to get plugged into the Black community, if you want to support us, if you are an ally, join us. We help everyone from business owners and corporate sponsors to our youth and elderly residents."

One of the ways that the BECC will support older residents in Osceola County is through AARP's Community Challenge grant. They will be using the funds to wrap a van, transforming it into a mobile resource hub for all different types of senior assistance — from sharing hurricane preparedness resources to technology lessons.

"Winning this grant was pivotal for our organization," says Jeffers. "AARP has been a huge advocate for us in the Orlando community, and this grant not only legitimizes the work we do but it also shows residents that we're here to support them."

AARP Florida will be following up with Tiffany and The Black Empowerment Community Council in a few months to see how their efforts are progressing! Stay tuned for more, and visit AARP.org/FLLivable for more information on the Community Challenge Grant program.