Uncrowned Community Builders

Tameka was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She grew up attending St. Johnââ?¬â?¢s Baptist Church and was a member of the Junior Choir. At an early age, she loved sports. She played basketball and softball in junior high school. Tameka was also a cheerleader and Captain for the Kensington Panther Little League Football Team. Later, she became a volunteer coach and mentor for young girls in the community. Tameka graduated from Hutchinson Central Technical (Hutch-Tech) High School. While at Hutch-Tech, she was a member of the drill team, track-n-field team and chorus. As a track-n-field athlete, she received All-High honors in the 200 meter, 4x100 meter relay, high jump and triple jump. She was also a member of the New York Jets track-n-field team where she competed in the Junior Olympics.

After graduating from Hutch-Tech in 1995, she attended the University at Albany. While at the University at Albany, Tameka continued to stay active and was a member of the track-n-field team, the Albany State University Black Alliance (ASUBA), and the Haitian Student Association (HSA). As a student-athlete she made the Deanââ?¬â?¢s List, was named All-East (track-n-field honors), and qualified and competed in the NCAA Division II track-n-field championships. Tameka spent her summer breaks in Buffalo. During some of her summers, she worked as a tutor-counselor for Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers (BFNC) and track-n-field program coordinator for underprivileged youth for HUD. Tameka graduated with her B.A. in English in 1999 and went on to receive a Masters Degree in Public Administration in 2001.

Upon receiving her graduate degree, Tameka accepted a position with the Bureau of State Audits in Sacramento, California. As a State Auditor for 4.5 years, she worked on several audits that helped California government agencies become more efficient and effective in administering their programs that serve and protect the citizens of the state of California. In 2004, Tameka received an Enhancing Public Policy award to acknowledge her efforts for ensuring the integrity of California State and local governments. While working as a state employee, Tameka was also a free safety for Sacramento Sirens, a womenââ?¬â?¢s professional tackle football team. She was named Defensive Player of the Year as she helped lead her team to 3-Independent Womenââ?¬â?¢s Football League (IWFL) National Championship titles. Her community commitment continued in Califorina leading her to serve as a mentor in the Big Brother/Sister Program. Tameka also spoke at several youth programs on the importance of staying in school and women in sports.

Tameka still resides in Sacramento where she works for the Department of Conservation where she helps administer the Beverage Container Recycling Program for the State of California. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.