About the Founder

Her journey into foster care begin at the tender age of three, when she was abandoned in a project stairwell later to be found by child welfare officials. Unable to find a stable placement, she was bounced back from one home to another while being abused and neglected.  At the age of twelve, she ran away to escape the violent treatment of her abuser only to find herself placed in an institution that would never prepared her to become self-sufficient as an adult or provide her with the support she would need once she “Aged Out”.

Making a way out of no way, Tanisha A. Cunningham has beaten the odds and redefined the stereotypes associated with children in foster care. Coming from a troubled and abusive home and then entering into an environment that would later question her success in life, she was determined to take control of her destiny.  Today, Tanisha holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services, a Masters degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University, and has over 17 years experience working in government agencies for high level public officials including the Commissioner for New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services.

In 2009, Tanisha became the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of “The Underground Railroad to Success” a.k.a URS. URS is a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization that assist youth aging out of foster care to achieve independent success by offering workshops, youth conference, and information containing resources that would aid toward self-sufficiency.

Having survived the foster care system herself by successfully transitioning to her own independence at age 19, Tanisha truly understands the fear of not knowing what’s going to happen next. With a strong passion for children in foster care, Tanisha’s goal is to lead as many youth as she can through the tunnel of independence where they will find success as adults while becoming an integral part of our society.

In her efforts to educate people of the needs of an organization such as “The Underground Railroad to Success,” Tanisha travels throughout the states to speak at various events both locally and nationally. In doing so, she hopes to encourage and motivate youth to believe that they, too, can foster their “way out of no way.” Tanisha also volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster youth in the state of New Jersey.

Along with her continued worked as an advocate, Tanisha is currently focusing on becoming an author with her first book to be released by Spring 2012.

Tanisha A. Cunningham is determined, with her knowledge of the foster care system; the knowledge that she has acquired throughout her studies and her understanding and passion for the youth of America, to do whatever she can to see that foster care children make it out on their own well equipped and able to become successful individuals. All aboard “The Underground Railroad to Success.”

To contact Tanisha A. Cunningham directly, you can e-mail her at tcunningham@railroad2success.com  or Connect with her on Facebook at facebook.com/tanisha.cunningham