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About Us

Stop the Cycle Is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization Based in Albama.

Expert Guidance

We connect youth with local banking experts and offer scholarships

STOP THE CYCLE

Welcome to Stop The Cycle, where our mission is to empower the next generation with the financial literacy skills essential for a prosperous future. Born from the realization that too many individuals, particularly in underserved communities, face systemic barriers to financial independence, Stop The Cycle is a testament to collective action and the belief in transformative education.
  • Credit Improvement
  • Financial Education
  • Scholarships
  • Mentorship Programs
See Our Impact

OUR MISSION

At stop the cycle, Our mission is to break the chain of financial illiteracy among youth by providing essential financial education in credit management, savings strategies, investments basics and responsible banking, thus paving the way for smart decision making, leading to a prosperous future.

EMPOWER YOUR CHILDREN WITH FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE
BECAUSE IF NOT YOU, THEN WHO

How Our Work Impact the Youth

At the heart of our organization is a commitment to breaking the chains of financial illiteracy that have long held back generations. We recognize the critical need for foundational knowledge in credit management, savings strategies, investment basics, and responsible banking practices, especially among high school students who stand at the pivotal threshold between education and real-world financial decision-making. Our programs are designed to address these needs head-on, equipping young people with the tools they need to navigate their financial futures with confidence.

Founder Story : Juanita Taggart-Jones

Juanita Taggart-Jones, a visionary from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, stands as a testament to what resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to community empowerment can achieve. As the Broker/Owner of Key Realty Company, her journey since 2006 has reshaped the landscape of real estate in Alabama, evolving from a buyer’s agent to spearheading a multi-tiered enterprise that serves a broad spectrum of clients. Her endeavors stretch beyond mere transactions, deeply impacting buyers, sellers, landlords, and investors in both the private and corporate sectors.
Juanita’s trailblazing path saw her making history as the first African American President of the Tuscaloosa Association of REALTORS®, a landmark achievement that underscored her leadership and dedication to excellence.

This milestone was not just a personal achievement but a beacon of progress for the community she serves. Juanita reflects on her career with gratitude, recognizing her role in guiding families towards the significant milestone of homeownership, a cornerstone of the American dream.

However, beneath the successes lay a stark reality that many families were left behind, unable to cross the threshold into homeownership due to financial barriers. Juanita’s encounters with individuals, young and old, unable to obtain their homeownership dreams due to financial illiteracy, became a turning point sparking a new chapter in her journey.
The recurring struggles of her clients—stemming from poor credit, insufficient savings, and a lack of financial education—highlighted a widespread issue of financial hardship, especially pronounced in Black and Brown communities. These observations led Juanita to profound self-reflection, igniting a passion to address the root cause of these barriers. The disparities and obstacles she witnessed were not just professional observations but a call to a greater purpose.

Determined to make a difference, Juanita embarked on a journey that transcended her real estate career, leading to the creation of Stop The Cycle, a nonprofit organization with the mission to break down the barriers of financial illiteracy by equipping youth with critical financial knowledge and skills. Through innovative educational programs, partnerships, and scholarships, Stop The Cycle endeavors to lay a solid financial foundation for the next generation. Juanita’s story is a testament to the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership, illustrating how passion, when coupled with action, can lead to meaningful change. Her legacy through “Stop the Cycle” is a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have on the lives of many. Stop The Cycle represents Juanita’s vision of a future where every child, regardless of their background, has the tools to navigate personal finance effectively, paving the way for a future where financial literacy and empowerment are accessible to all.

As the founder of Stop The Cycle, Juanita invites the community to join her in this noble cause. Together, with the support of donors and partners who share this vision, Stop The Cycle stands poised to rewrite narratives and transform lives, ensuring that financial literacy becomes a shared legacy for generations to come.—

OUR TEAM MEMBERS

Dr. Angela Lang

Board Member

Dr. Angela Lang

Dr. Angela Lang is a veteran educator who was born and raised and now resides in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. “My extended family has lived in Tuscaloosa for more than nine decades. I ultimately became a first-generation college graduate. My education allowed me to elevate my family from poverty. As an educator, I wish to pour into others what was poured into me while disrupting the current systems that do not affirm us as students and education leaders of color.”

Through the Build Track of the Building.Excellent.Schools (BES) Fellowship, Angela will propose a school centered around helping students identify their passions and purposeful careers through an education model based on academic rigor, relationship-driven culture, and relevant learning experiences. Dr. Lang is also a New Schools for Alabama 2023 Founding Principal Cohort member.

Over more than 20 years, Angela has taught at and led schools in five states, survived Hurricane Katrina while working in New Orleans, was a principal in Tennessee, and served at the Tennessee Department of Education. As an administrator, she served as a turnaround principal, helping to elevate a low-performing elementary school to exemplary status. She helped to lead a $30M Personalized Learning Technology Initiative in North Carolina before serving as the founding principal of Pike Road High School in Alabama. Most recently, she was a director at Pike Roads Schools in Pike Roads, Alabama, where she helped to open a K-8 school, followed by a high school, and established comprehensive career and technical programs.

Angela earned her Bachelor’s in history from Augusta State University, a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Supervision from the University of New Orleans, and an Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership from the American College of Education.

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Ebony Hardy

Communication/ Development Officer

Ebony Hardy

Ebony Hardy, the founder of Healing Not Hurting, is a visionary author and mental health advocate committed to empowering individuals to discover their full potential and embrace holistic well-being. Through her personal journey of growth and resilience, Ebony has become a leader for breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and promoting healing for future generations. With a steadfast dedication to serving and uplifting underserved communities, Ebony's passion for enhancing lives and encouraging others to prioritize wellness is evident in her impactful work.

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Dr. Lucretia Prince

Executive Associate Director

Dr. Lucretia Prince

Dr. Lucretia Prince has more than twenty years of experience in education. She has served as a classroom teacher, adjunct professor, and building administrator within these years. Under her leadership, she has turned around low-performing schools and established a thriving culture that continues to yield success. Under her leadership, she has turned around two low performing schools into National recognized Model Schools. Dr. Prince received a resolution from the Alabama State Board of Education recognizing her for her strong leadership that resulted in school improvement and spearheading innovative practices that positively impacted school culture and climate.

She serves as a Lead Mentor Administrator for the Principal Candidate Residency Program. She is also an educational consultant for surrounding school districts. Dr. Prince shares her story of adversity and triumph. She uses her life story to serve as an example for others that despite adversity, trials, and setbacks, you must believe in yourself and know that you can be “Whatever” you want to be. Sometimes, our most difficult test uncovers our greatest strengths and teaches us how to lead from a place of purpose and passion. Dr. Prince is the CEO and Founder of I Dream Big Summer Academy. An academy created to decrease summer learning loss among K-8th grade students. She started the program with 15 students, and now the program serves more than 275 students. She is known for her expertise in creating a thriving climate and culture and supporting differentiated instruction through Professional Learning Communities. Her most recent accomplishment includes being the Co-Founder of I Dream Big Charter School, which is a groundbreaking moment in Alabama’s history, as it marks the first #HBCU Charter School partnership in Alabama. Dr. Prince is a wife, mother, entrepreneur, educator, administrator, motivational speaker, ordained minister, and author. She is known as a CHANGE AGENT! She is a fearless and dedicated advocate for students and those within her community. Her mission is to inspire and motivate children to “Dream Big” and strive for excellence in whatever they do.

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Jamarquis Perkins

Treasurer

Jamarquis Perkins

As a Tuscaloosa native and 2022 Finance graduate from The University of Alabama, my journey has been deeply interwoven with my Tuscaloosa roots and passion for Finance. This passion isn’t just academic; it’s a commitment to use my knowledge to uplift others. In my role at Stop the Cycle, I’m dedicated to equipping our youth with essential financial literacy skills, teaching them not just to manage money but to envision and build a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones.

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Sheriah Gibson

Executive Secretary

Sheriah Gibson

Sheriah Gibson is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and a 2013 honors graduate of Hillcrest High School. Upon graduation, she enrolled at The University of Alabama majoring in Restaurant, Hotel, and Meetings Management in the school of Human Environmental Sciences. During her college career, she gained experience in events while working with Read Bama Read, The City of Tuscaloosa Arts and Entertainment, and as a young business owner. She is the owner of Posh Occasions by Sheriah, an event planning and design company where she and her team believe in celebrating their clients milestones, cheering on love, and promoting the launches of companies and brands. Sheriah is a certified wedding planner/designer with a Master's Degree in Hospitality Management from The University of Alabama and remains an  adjunct instructor for the same college.

Her multidisciplinary background is the key to my creativity, production savvy, and innate flexibility. She enjoys researching fresh ideas , mentoring business owners, examining social trends,and giving back to the community. Sheriah is the recipient of the Jack Davis Professional Achievement Award from The University of Alabama school of Human Environmental Sciences, the 2023 Young Leaders Award from The United Way of West Alabama and the Provisional of the Year and the Placement Award for the Junior League of Tuscaloosa. She also serves as the Vice President of the Executive Committee of the  Art and Humanities Council of West Alabama, area director for Business Networking International where she works with over 100 local business owners, an advisory Board Member for the Tuscaloosa Center for Technology Academy — Tuscaloosa City Schools, and a board member for the Junior League of Tuscaloosa. When she and her husband, Wesley are not planning and designing events for couples, corporations, or their community partners, they enjoy traveling, networking, and cheering on other business owners.

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Tennyson Smith

Board Member

Tennyson Smith

Tennyson is currently the Director of Recruitment at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa and a part-time instructor in Business. Before arriving at Shelton, he was the Assistant Director of Admissions/Senior Admissions Counselor at The University of West Alabama in Livingston. After graduation from The University of West Alabama, he was employed by a Fortune 500 company as an Assistant Manager of a branch which exceeded revenue of over $1 million and managed inventory of over $5.1 million. TJ has received numerous awards for customer service with a Fortune 500 company.

He is graduate of the 2017-18 cohort of the Community College Fellowship Program (CCFP). T.J. was one of sixteen participants in this year’s CCFP cohort and graduated alongside presidents, executive administrators, and community college members from Alabama and Mississippi. As a part of the program, he traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with elected representatives and discuss Pell grant funding options. Additionally, they met with other educational policy constituents, such as the American Community College Association and the Association of Community College Trustees. He is an advocate for education and removing barriers that exist for the underserved.

T.J. is a member of multiple professional organizations and well respected among peers in the education. He has served on numerous committees and role as Vice Presidents of SACRAO (Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.) SACRAO covers fourteen (14) states and one commonwealth. TJ served as President of ALACRAO (Alabama Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.) He was highlighted as one of four for the Alabama Community College System for his contributions to OneACCS merger of 24 community college systems. During COVID, he was selected and served as a panelist to present to ACCS member schools on enrollment management innovation at his institution.

He has earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Shelton State Community College, a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, with a Concentration in Management from The University of West Alabama in Livingston, and a Masters in Business Administration from The University of North Alabama in Florence and an anticipated graduation date of December 2024, with a Doctorate degree in Higher Education Administration.

TJ is the owner of Smith Consulting LLC providing professional services for professional development workshops focusing on customer service, conflict resolution, enrollment management, resume and cover letter workshops, grant writing, and business plan writing, event and conference planning and consulting. Smith Consulting LLC professional development services primarily focuses on K12 and post-secondary institutions, churches, private and public sectors.  

In his spare time, he loves spending time with his family, church, playing and watching college sports. He is married to the former LaTandra Cowan and two children (Londyn) and (Brittain).

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Triena Smith

Content & Brand Strategist

Triena Smith

Triena D. Smith is a Tuscaloosa-native, entrepreneur, lifestyle influencer, and content creator. She prides herself on being an advocate in the plus-size community, and at the forefront of the body positivity movement. As a content creator, Triena has done custom activations with leading brands and platforms including Forever 21, JCPenney, WalMart, Sephora, Kroger, Huggies, Samsung, Essence, Huffington Post, and more. Realizing how pivotal social media content has become in our society, Triena now shares her skills with business owners as a Personal Brand Strategist. Through this role she has helped dozens of women founders successfully utilize storytelling and branding to create an online community that converts and establish a brand that is sought after.

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Howard Hollie

Board Member

Howard Hollie

Howard Hollie was born and raised in the small town of Akron, Al in rural Hale County. After graduating from Akron High School in 2004, he pursued higher education at the University of West Alabama where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Education with dreams of encouraging his community to be healthier in all aspects. With a dream, persistence, and resilience, he began the journey of entrepreneurship by becoming an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer and establishing Fareal Results in 2019 to promote holistic health and wellness through physical activity. When he is not encouraging others to reach their fitness goals, he serves as a group supervisor at MacClellan Integrated, an industrial company that provides services to a variety of automotive and aviation companies. Despite being an entrepreneur and group supervisor, he feels his greatest titles are husband to Courtney and father to Mason and Madyson. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Howard is eager to serve on the board for Stop the Cycle to ensure that the next generation receives the tools that he himself did not in all areas of financial literacy.

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Stop The Cycle is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization where the mission is to empower the next generation with the financial literacy skills essential for a prosperous future.
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