We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emmanuel Cherilien a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emmanuel , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

Despite the rhetoric surrounding educational equality, the reality for many minority students in the United States is starkly different. The U.S. educational system, often heralded as a beacon of opportunity, stands as one of the most unequal in the industrialized world. Student experiences and learning opportunities are frequently dictated by one’s social status, leading to disheartening disparities in educational outcomes. These inequalities not only undermine the potential of countless individuals but also echo through generations, perpetuating cycles of disadvantage. In response to these pervasive challenges, I founded TANK EdDucates LLC, an education consulting company dedicated to dismantling the inequities embedded within schools and organizations. Our mission is rooted in a student-centered approach that honors and amplifies the cultural strengths of each learner. By fostering an environment of engagement and inclusivity, we strive to enhance educational experiences and outcomes for all students.
At TANK EdDucates, we collaborate with a diverse array of stakeholders—school districts, faculty, universities, government agencies, community organizations, and even detention centers and prisons—recognizing that the work of equity extends far beyond the classroom. With my expertise in servant leadership, social-emotional learning, and social justice, I aim to cultivate a holistic understanding of education that champions every student’s right to thrive. Together, we can challenge the status quo and create a more equitable landscape for future generations.

Emmanuel , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Dr. Emmanuel Cherilien, I am also known as “Dr. Tank”. I am an Education Specialist (Ed.D.) with a career spanning over 20 years in education and leadership. I am the founder and Executive Director of TANK EdDucates, LLC. My organization focuses on providing culturally responsive strategies and life skills education, primarily targeting disadvantaged and underserved populations. I also mentor and coach close to 6,000 doctoral students to assist them with finishing their dissertation. On the social justice side, I have a mentoring program that supports the reintegration of formerly incarcerated youth and adults in New Jersey. My work addresses issues such as learning outcomes, inequities in education, school-to-prison pipeline, social-emotional learning, and social justice. Additionally, I serves on the Board of Directors for Catholic Partnership Schools in Camden County, NJ, and most recently the president of the Nu Gamma Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.
I got into this space because I was tired as a college professor of seeing students who look like me not prepared for college. It was happening semester after semester and I was tired of waiting for someone else to fix it. So I quit my job and started this entrepreneurial journey of changing lives through education. What makes my company different is we approach this problem through an Afrocentric paradigm, using culturally responsive strategies to dismantle the school to prison pipeline and address inequities found in schools and organizations.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In a world saturated with social media conversations about dreams and triumphs, few dare to explore the reality of full-time entrepreneurship. For over 17 years, I held the title of general manager at a Fortune 100 company, enjoying the security of a six-figure salary and a comfortable life. Yet, deep within me, I knew I was called to something greater—a purpose beyond moving up the corporate ladder. With courage as my compass, I took a leap of faith and left my job without a safety net, driven by the conviction that I was destined for more. Just months into this brave new chapter, the pandemic struck, turning my world upside down and leaving me unemployed, clutching only to this fragile dream.
Rather than surrendering to despair, I adapted. I transformed my work to virtual by day, while navigating the city as an Uber driver by night. This duality, born from necessity, ignited a spark that would ultimately lead to unexpected success. As months unfolded, the seeds I had sown began to flourish. Contracts emerged from every corner of the country, and our vision grew exponentially. Over the past five years, our business has not only tripled but has begun to embody a mission far beyond profit—an unwavering commitment to transforming lives through education. What began as a pursuit of purpose has evolved into a powerful force for change. This journey is a testament to resilience, adaptation, and the relentless pursuit of one’s true calling. We are just at the beginning of this remarkable journey, stay tuned.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I chose to establish this company as a for-profit entity, embracing the challenge of self-sufficiency. There were no grants or external funding to assist me with my aspirations; this venture was self-made. From the outset, we laid a foundation built on multiple streams of income, each contributing to our growth. In those early days, I immersed myself in creating multiple streams of income—selling t-shirts, teaching, coaching, speaking, mentoring, and facilitating trainings. Each t-shirt sold not only funded my initial projects but also served as a way to market this new business and get my name out there. This grassroots visibility became a catalyst, allowing me to leverage the organic reach into social media learning communities.
As I focused on delivering value to my clients and followers, a community began to form around our my mission. Our social media community started with only 3 members, today we have close to 6,000 members in two doctoral learning communities. From those humble beginnings, we have since evolved, and today my organization manages 11 revenue-generating streams, with ambitions for further expansion. What began as a solitary pursuit has blossomed into a multifaceted organization, grounded in the belief that purpose and perseverance can forge a path to success. Each step of this journey reaffirms that dream, when nurtured with determination and creativity, anything is possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.TankEdDucates.com
• Instagram: @TankEdDucates
• Facebook: DrTank EdDucates
• Linkedin: Emmanuel Cherilien
• Youtube: Dr. Tank

Image Credits

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