Our Vision
A world in which social capital and economic mobility
are accessible to all.
Ebony Tyler, Executive Director
Ebony Tyler is a Flatbush, Brooklyn native she graduated from Midwood High School at Brooklyn College in 1995. Immediately after high school, she headed off to Norfolk State University after one year she transferred to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Services. Ebony’s experience at UMES is foundational to who she is and the passion she brings to her work. After graduating from The University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 1999 Ebony earned a Master's Degree in Education from Hofstra University. She has held the designation of a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor since 2001. Ebony has 20 years in public education, where she worked in various roles as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, learning-to-work coordinator, youth counselor, and community engagement manager, serving students who have disabilities, students who are under-credited, and students with LGBTQIA+ identities. Ebony's specialty is coordinating activities for students that prepare them for life post-high school as it relates to education, employment, and independent living. Ebony is skilled in vocational counseling, internship development, job placement, facilitating workshops, coaching special education teachers, and designing and facilitating professional development programming in youth career development and program design. Ebony's goal as founder and Executive Director is to fill an information gap for young people and families as it relates to career development, through intentional career exploration activities, mentoring, and leadership development. Ebony is a mom of two teenage sons, a yoga enthusiast, a lover of plants, live concerts, HBCUs, and Caribbean Beaches.
Natasha Ward, Board Chair
Natasha Ward is a Brooklyn native of Jamaican descent with over 20 years of experience working within social services. She currently holds the position of director for a social services program and has a BA in Criminal Justice with a minor in sociology. By working alongside and witnessing firsthand the adverse effects that occur when an individual is unprepared and undervalued, she holds a strong strong belief that for a change to happen, young people must be empowered by having access to services that enhance their abilities. Natasha is a mother of 4, a devoted daughter, and a friend. In her spare time, she loves to travel.
Dina Cox, Board Secretary
Dina Cox is a Search Associate in the non-profit sector of a Forbes’ top 10 executive search firm. Dina works with various non-profit organizations to find their next leaders. In her work, she manages all aspects of the search process with a focus on project management, candidate, and client logistics. In 2018, Dina was honored to join a firm that centers equity in its search process.
Dina began her career at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, where she worked as a Project Manager for the sister entertainment division of the Foundation. Dina was responsible for managing the logistics for posthumously releasing music from hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur. Dina started at the Foundation in 1997.
Dina is a humanitarian by nature and thrives on helping others and finding new ways to chase joy. She is extremely passionate about our youth and making sure they feel seen, heard, and supported. Dina looks forward to changing the lives of our young people and assisting them in making traditional and non-traditional career paths.
Dina enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. Dina is married with a daughter and a dog son. She resides in Atlanta, GA.
Robert Tapper, Board Treasurer
Robert Tapper, who goes by Rob, by day is a Senior Finance Manager for Gap Inc, but during nights and weekends is also an entrepreneur with businesses in tax preparation, online retailing, and consulting. Rob has over 20 years of professional experience working in the Finance, Entertainment, and Retail Apparel industries combined with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland ES and an MBA from Fordham University. He has worked with and helped build brands such as Rocawear, Macy's, Levis, Polo, and of course the GAP. Rob was born in Maryland but raised in Philly and New Jersey. Rob is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He is married and the father of 2 girls.
Kimberly Cruz, Board Vice President
Kimberly Cruz was born and raised in the Maryland Chesapeake Bay region, with a stint overseas in Europe, as an army brat. Kim is the proud mom of a 23 year old daughter, whose intelligence was underserved, in the mainstream school system, which is often ill-equipped to successfully prepare students of color for success.
Family, community and volunteer work is very important to her, so she volunteered as Treasurer on her local library board; as a community outreach volunteer through her religious organization; and as a volunteer for the Corsica River Conservancy.
It is because of her passion for helping others; and her personal experience trying to navigate her daughter through the public school system without critical resources, that she was excited to join the board of Liberated Success, to help provide other parents with the tools needed to help their children succeed and realize their full potential.
Currently, she is a freelance accounting and finances professional with 30+ years of multifaceted experience in both the private and public sectors. Prior to her consulting work, Kim served as the Assistant Controller/Treasurer for a municipality. In addition to the education received from her many rich life experiences, as an avid, life-long learner, Kim has a B.S. in Business with minors in Accounting and Economics from Strayer University.
Pamela Smith, Board Vice President
Pamela Smith is a Brooklyn native, who has resided in Middletown, DE for over 18 years. Pamela has been employed in the public sector for 15 years in various finance and accounting roles., including working with appointed as well as elected officials. In addition to her expertise in finance, Pamela has experience in community economic development and transportation services.
Pamela comes to the Liberated Success board with previous board experience; she has sat on the board of the Reading Assist Institute whose mission was to improve the literacy skills of children at risk for reading failure. Pamela has also volunteered as a Casa NYC Volunteer -Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children in Foster care.
Pamela believes in serving her community, and leaving a legacy of supporting children is a gift that keeps on giving. Her passion is serving the needs of adolescence to ensure that students are armed with the right decision-making tools to put them on a solid path to success.
In addition to Pamela’s commitment to her community, she is active in her church Seed of Greatness, serving in The Seeds Shop (Bookstore), and is a devoted wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.