Founder and Executive Director
Ms. Tanyka Horsham Lawrence is the Founder and Executive Director of The Empowerment Project Inc. and a United States Navy Veteran with 30 years of federal service as a Contract Specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and has dedicated her career to service, leadership, and community advocacy.
Deeply committed to educational equity, Ms. Horsham Lawrence founded The Empowerment Project to help create safe, empowering learning environments for children in underserved and marginalized communities. She believes meaningful change requires collaboration and community engagement and is supported by a dedicated team working collectively to advance the organization’s mission.
Consultants and Advisors
Ms. Tasha T. Figueroa serves as a Consultant to The Empowerment Project Inc., bringing extensive experience across engineering, law, business, and education. She began her professional career as an electrical technician with United States Steel, where she made history as the company’s first female Electrical Technician.
Recognizing the need for broader impact, Ms. Figueroa pursued her Juris Doctor and built a distinguished career working across legal, academic, and corporate environments. She has founded and led successful businesses, generated multimillion-dollar revenues, and served in advisory and mentorship roles supporting entrepreneurs, students, and community organizations.
Ms. Figueroa has also served on the Board of Directors for the Division of Student Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington and remains deeply committed to expanding equitable access to education. She holds a Juris Doctor, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Applied Science.
Board of Directors
Ms. Schannel Horsham is the dedicated Executive Secretary for The Empowerment Project Inc. She brings over ten years of experience in the mental health field, along with a strong background in human resources and crisis counseling.
Based in New York City, Ms. Horsham has spent her career serving her community while developing exceptional skills in organization, coordination, and operational support. She excels at managing complex schedules, coordinating high-stakes meetings, and ensuring seamless day-to-day operations.
Her professionalism, efficiency, and commitment make her an invaluable part of The Empowerment Project team, and we are fortunate to have her supporting the organization’s leadership and mission.
Board of Directors
Mark Stanley is a United States Navy Officer Veteran with a distinguished background in aviation supply, logistics, and global operations. Born and raised in New York City, he spent his naval career traveling the world while supporting complex aviation and supply systems.
Following his military service, Mark pursued his passion for cooking and enjoyed a successful career as a professional chef for over twenty years. Drawing on his strong financial acumen, he later expanded his professional path to include work as a tax preparer.
Now retired and residing in North Carolina, Mark enjoys spending time with his family, including his children and grandchildren. His interests include sports, movies, reading, and cooking. He is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for The Empowerment Project Inc., the nonprofit arm of The Banana Collective, and is excited to support its mission and long-term vision.
