BennCor LLC

The Cross, South Carolina native and great granddaughter of a pastor, Rev. Louis Wilson, relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina for an academic scholarship to attend Shaw University, the oldest historically black college in the South.  In 1998, Dr. Bennett-Cornelous completed undergraduate coursework and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science.  She also earned the professional distinction Master of Divinity from Shaw University Divinity School in 2014.  Dr. Bennett-Cornelous successfully defended her dissertation entitled, "Parishioners' Lived Experiences of Female Leaders in a Predominantly African American Nondenominational Church", September 6, 2018 and now holds a Ph.D. degree in organizational leadership from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

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Rev. Dr. Tiffany Benisha Bennett-Cornelous was previously employed by the state of North Carolina.  In her capacity, she wrote grants, maintained a budget of over $2 million, served as IT liaison and managed office operations.  She left to pursue ministry full-time.  She is also the co-owner and operator of BennCor, the parent company of Cornelous Music, and Cornelous Photography.  Additionally, she has served as a visiting lecturer for an introduction to worship class at Shaw University Divinity School.  She is the Dean for the Heritage School of Biblical and Theological Studies, her church’s leadership academy.

 

At an early age, Dr. Bennett-Cornelous developed an affinity for musicality.  She began honing skills as a singer and organist at Antioch Holiness Church located in her hometown.  As her skills progressed, she formally studied music appreciation and theory.  Dr. Bennett-Cornelous served as organist at Mount Peace Baptist Church (Pastor - Rev. J. Vincent Terry, Sr.), Now Faith Community Baptist Church (Pastor - Rev. Daniel Blackmond), Solid Rock Ministries, Inc. (Pastor - Bishop L. Foday Farrar).  She has also served as the Assistant Academic Dean and professor for the Apex School of Theology in Durham, NC, Director of Continuing Education and Interim Director of the Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling program for the Triangle School of Theology in Durham, NC., and administrator for the Brighter Hope Christian Fellowship (Pastor - Bishop Blanzie Williams, Jr.).  She is currently the Pastor of Worship, Arts & Media at Macedonia New Life Church (Bishop-Elect Joe L. Stevenson, D.Min., Senior Pastor); and Director of Music for the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Inc..

 

As a proud HBCU alumna, Dr. Bennett-Cornelous is still very involved in the life of her alma mater as an adjunct professor in practical ministry and being a resource for career development. She was the first professor to teach a course in the Black Church Leadership Academy at Shaw University in Introduction to Church Worship and created the first Faith-Based Nonprofit Organizational Leadership course for the Divinity School. She is the inaugural Principal Project/Program Manager of Faith-based Initiatives at Blue Cross NC where she travels the state of North Carolina talking to faith leaders and listening to community and congregational needs.As she researches the challenges residents face, Dr. Bennett-Cornelous connects organizations to provide resources in the communities across the state aligning faith-based initiatives. Through the “Let’s Give Local Grant Program”, one of the faith-based nonprofits she recommended was awarded $10K. This is how she serves the community.

 

Dr. Bennett-Cornelous has contributed to numerous musical productions.  She was featured on Coco McMillan’s recording “Wonderful,” appeared on television programs Bobby Jones Presents and Spiritual Awakening with Nat Gaiter & Company, and served as a background vocalist and organist for other artists, including providing vocal support for Elder Peggy Britt at the 2016-2019 Hampton Ministers' Conferences. 

 

Rev. Dr. Bennett-Cornelous says her first love is music but her passion is ministry!  In March 2012, she was licensed to preach and was ordained in January 2015.   Rev. Dr. Bennett-Cornelous aspires to serve in leadership as she incorporates her love of music and passion for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The quote “God hand-picked me to be a vessel of melodies for Him. I was made to worship Him. I told His story through music and I now I continue to tell His story through the preached Word.  I worship Him for who He is. I praise Him for what He’s done, is doing, and will do” best reflects her spiritual mantra.

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Dr. Bennett-Cornelous is noted for curating Gospel music for the first-ever Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Community-wide Sing-along at the North Carolina Museum of Art in February2023. She brought singers and musicians together to lead a sold-out auditorium of attendees in Gospel music reflective of the Civil Rights Era and the Black Church experience. In February 2024,she was a panelist and appeared on the PBS Black Issues Forum “Exploring Gospel’s Impact”episode. Alongside national recording Gospel artist, two-time Stellar Award winner, actress, and Sunday Best Season 6 winner, Tasha Page Lockhart, she discussed Gospel music and its effects on the church with a focus on the youth--preceding the documentary “Gospel” by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

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She is co-author of the Amazon #1 bestselling book in Religious Leadership, “The PreacHER in Her: Living the Call”. Her chapter “Don’t Just Me” shares the marginalization and those “just” moments in her life. With this blessing of co-authoring, this sermon is now a product line, a dream come true.

 

Rev. Dr. Bennett-Cornelous uses her knowledge, skills and abilities serving in various voluntary capacities for professional, civic and social organizations.  She served as a clinician, staff musician, singer, and director of music for the Alexander/Pegues Ministers’ Conference; music coordinator and worship leader for the Shaw University Divinity School under the leadership of Dr. Joe L. Stevenson; was the music coordinator for the City of Raleigh Human Relations Commission, Raleigh-Apex NAACP and NC NAACP; was the first to serve as Vice President of Divinity Concerns for the National Alumni Association of Shaw University; is 1st Vice President for the Shaw University Divinity School National Alumni Association and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

 

Rev. Dr. Bennett-Cornelous is married to her best friend and fellow musician Ronald Lee Cornelous.  Jointly they proclaim the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the redeeming love of God.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6,7 ~

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The quote “God hand-picked me to be a vessel of melodies for Him. I was made to worship Him. I told His story through music and now I continue to tell His story through the preached Word. I worship Him for who He is. I praise Him for what He’s done, is doing, and will
do” best reflects her spiritual mantra.

Life Scripture - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7 ~
 

LINK – “The PreacHER in Her: Living the Call” book and Don’t Just Me™ product line
LINK – PBS Black Issues Forum “Exploring Gospel’s Impact”, Season 38 Episode 21
LINK (2023) – Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Community-wide Sing-along
LINK (2024) – Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Community-wide Sing-along

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Email:  TBCornelous@BennCorLLC.com

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