Tanya Parker is a native of Champaign. She was born and raised in Garden Hills and attended Booker T. Washington School, Edison, Central High School, and the Universityof Illinois. She committed her life at an early age to working to help build healthier families and communities. Despite life challenges, she continues to use her education and life experiences to develop and influence innovative, creative ideas to help improve African‐ American communities and put our community into action. Her accomplishments include: Winner of the 2010 Social Entrepreneurship Innovation Award issued by the University of Illinois and the Economic Development Corporation for her work with Unity in Action Magazine; Received Bachelors in Economics from the University of Illinois; Founder of Habari Connection in 2005, which was dissolved to form Unity in Action Magazine, which she formed in 2009; Created and ran “Career Success Training Program” a 4‐week program for middle school age students in 2006; Created and ran “Club Freestyle Program” for local teens in 2007, which was funded in part by the United Way of Champaign County.

Tanya was featured in Difference Makers 2010: An eBlack Champaign-Urbana Publication.