Meet the Board of Directors

Ms. Tanyka Horsham Lawrence is the Founder and Executive Director of The Empowerment Project Inc. She is a US Navy Veteran and has 30 years of federal service as a Contract Specialist. She holds a BS degree in Business Management and is extremely passionate about creating a better educational experience for children in underserved and marginalized communities. She has always had a passion for giving back to her community and thought what could be better than an Independent School focused on providing a safe and protected environment where children are empowered to soar without limits! These are exciting times to be sure, but they are sad times as well. Black-authored books are being banned, true history is being whitewashed again and Black/Afrocentric studies are being removed from curriculums. Our children deserve a lot more than they receive And TEP Inc. wants to help them get what they deserve. The time is now! Of course, Tanyka cannot do this alone hence, the incredible team working with her to bring this passion to fruition. We also need the assistance of the community as well! 

As they say “team work makes the dream work!” And Tanyka believes it definitely “takes a village!”

Ms. Tasha Figueroa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that is as impressive as it is extensive. Her unique understanding of the challenges faced by the working class while interpreting and applying complicated and often confusing legalese makes her invaluable to any organization, both newly formed and long-established. Ms. Figueroa’s appreciation for knowledge is driven by a passion to understand the workings on both technical and abstract fronts.

When Ms. Figueroa began her working career as an electrical technician with United States Steel, she didn’t simply excel in her role at the company but made history as the first female Electrical Technician. This distinction alerted her to the need for visibility of women in male-dominated positions and set her on the course toward mentorships that focused on women in business.

Recognizing that she needed a greater understanding of the regulations that often hinder progress, Ms. Figueroa pivoted from engineering to obtain her Juris Doctor and began her work in various legal settings. Her extensive experience in research, documentation, contracts both large and small, and intricacies of law that govern business owners laid the foundation to become a successful business owner.

Using her knowledge in engineering and contract law, Ms. Figueroa started her own business addressing the needs of large corporations and universities in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. Within two years of inception, Ms. Figueroa generated over $5MM in revenues. Though financially successful, Ms. Figueroa found she had little time to do the work that most fulfilled her, volunteering.

Whether the organization served small business owners, students, or children, Ms. Figueroa used her experience, and often her voice, to ensure equitable access and treatment was available to those who most needed it. She did this by becoming a certified SCORE business mentor and a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Both roles enabled her to help people navigate the challenges that often hinder their success. Both also require a tremendous amount of compassion and patience, of which Ms. Figueroa has an unending supply.

Ms. Figueroa understands that no obstacle can be overcome without quality education. As testament to her passion for education and equitable access for all students, Ms. Figueroa served on the Board of Directors for the Division of Student Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington. She is unwavering in her dedication to using her experience to expand access to well-rounded, high-quality education by implementing contemporary curriculum, eradicating barriers to entry, and helping the next generation realize their potential.

Ms. Figueroa holds a Juris Doctor, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Applied Science.

Ms. Schannel Horsham is our dedicated Executive Secretary for The Empowerment Project. She brings a wealth of knowledge from her Human Resources and Crisis Counselor background. She brings 10 years of experience working in Mental Health field and serving her community in New York City. She is a master of organization and efficiency and thrives on managing complex schedules, coordinating high-stakes meetings, and ensuring seamless operations. We are very lucky to have her as The Project's Executive Secretary.

Hi, my name is Mark Stanley. I am US Navy Officer Veteran. I was involved in Aviation Storekeeping, Supply and Logistics. I've traveled the world and enjoyed it! Born and raised in New York City. I have two children and several grand children. After the Navy, I enjoyed cooking so much, I became a chef for over twenty years and since I have a strong financial background, I became a tax preparer. Now that I am retired, I live in North Carolina and enjoy spending time with family. I enjoy sports, movies, reading and cooking and am excited to be a part of the Board of Directors for The Empowerment Project Inc.