Finding your own way in a country like Japan is certainly no easy task and my guest on Diversity rocks Innovation! Vol. 9, Tia Haygood, has certainly done just that. Tia grew up code-switching daily as she navigated her life in a mostly black neighborhood and her mostly white school in the United States. Now she runs an incredibly busy photography business and she tells us how she empowers her clients to create beautiful photos. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Growing up in America and overcoming systemic racism 
• Code-switching in an American and Japanese context
• How Tia came to be in Japan and why she has chosen to stay here
• Why the job of a photographer is to empower clients as well as take great photos

About Tia Haygood 

Tia Haygood is an English & Japanese-speaking photographer living in Tokyo, Japan. She enjoys photographing the urban characteristics of Tokyo and travels around Japan, tasting its many unique local foods. Tia received her first camera at the age of 13 and gradually became familiar with photography afterward. She has also attended classes through the New York Institute of Photography to further her skills.

She is very active in the international community and is currently a member of several Tokyo-based organizations such as FEW Japan, the Australian New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and Jarman International K.K. She has provided photography services to some of these organizations as well as others throughout Japan.

Connect with Tia:

Website: TOPTIA Photography: https://toptia.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toptiaphotos/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toptiaphotos/ 

Connect with Jackie:

Website: https://en-joi.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-f-steele-phd/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enjoidiversityandinnovation

https://www.facebook.com/jackiefsteelephd 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/enjoi_diversity_innovation/