Our Why

Virgil and Tanya Lofty were born in Washington, DC. Both come from broken homes where their mothers were the primary caregivers in the home. They both understand the impact of not having their father in the home nor as an active participant in their lives as a child.

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Virgil is the middle child that was raised by his mother who had to work to support him and his siblings. This meant a lot of time to himself and on the streets. Often he didn’t have assistance with school work or activities. He found an outlet in sports. While playing with a gun, he didn’t realize it was loaded; it accidentally went off and he was charged with a misdemeanor. He understands the challenges that come with the stigma that is placed on men trying to reestablish themselves in the workforce after being incarcerated. It took him some years to find a position. Thankfully, an older gentleman at his church began to mentor him. He taught him how to dress for interviews, complete applications and work ethic. He also assisted with getting him his first full time position with benefits. African American males are marginalized in the marketplace and often deemed as a threat to society. They don’t have the resources needed to succeed which leads to systematic trends within our ethnicity and communities.

Tanya is the oldest of two children. Her biological father decided not to be in her life when she turned nine. That didn’t deter her from one day wanting a family of her own. Her heart's desire was to provide a stable and nurturing environment for their children. After having their second child (both boys) she decided to pursue her passion of working with children. Her motto is, “It’s never too late to do what you love.” As an Early Childhood Educator for 15 years, she understands the importance of education. She pursued her Associates, later her Bachelors of Arts and then received her Masters of Science in Early Childhood Studies in her mid 40’s. During her tenure in school she learned of the disparity in the school system for African American boys in Prince George’s County, MD and beyond. Being a mom of two boys of her own she decided to be an active participant in their learning by homeschooling them until she could place them in private school. This allowed her to gain further insight, that reading is the fundamental skill needed for learning.

Together, their lives have dispelled the systematic trends of poverty, lack of the father’s presence in the home, while cultivating their children’s academic abilities.