Officers
Cerise D. Lewis is the Founder and President of the Pink Purse Project, passionate about the empowerment of women. Mrs. Lewis teaches women’s empowerment classes and in 2009 released her first book, “Be Encouraged” written specifically to encourage women to move beyond their circumstances. Through the years she has held a plethora of job functions including: business manager for IMPACT International, administrator at the Church of Minneapolis, consultant for Girls In Action , and tutor for the Eager 2 Learn program. Mrs. Lewis has developed her entrepreneurial skills by establishing several businesses including: Poverty Busters, an organization to help people overcome the poverty mentality and develop strong businesses; America’s Yogurt a frozen dessert shoppe; and IMPACT International, a youth development and mentoring program. Mrs. Lewis has worked with women and girls consistently for over 15 years through various programs and community organizations. Contact: info@pinkpurseproject.org
Tonya Allen, is the Board Secretary of the Pink Purse Project. She is excited about the opportunity to work towards empowering women to succeed. Tonya has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from DrakeUniversity, a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis, and most recently earned her K-12 Principal Licensure through Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Tonya has worked in the field of social work and education for I.M.P.A.C.T. International, RobbinsdaleAreaSchool District, and OsseoAreaSchools. Tonya is currently employed as an ALC Coordinator for Brooklyn CenterSchool District.
Barbara Washington is the Director of Fundraising for the Pink Purse Project. She is a life long resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Born in Baton Rouge, LA, she grew up and attended school in North Minneapolis graduating from Minneapolis North High School. She earned a BA degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood from Concordia College, and earned a masters Degree in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota.
Barbara was a teacher/administrator with St. Paul Public Schools for thirty-four years, where she was a classroom teacher and developed coordinated and directed programs in urban and urban-like environments. Barbara implemented the Urban Education Preparation Programs, serving as the founding coordinator for the Urban Education Scholarship Program (UESS) and was the Executive Director for the Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching at Hamline University, St Paul (2003-2006). She continues to teach, mentor and supervise pre-service teachers through Metropolitan State University’s Urban Teacher Program (UTP) as community faculty. Contact: barbara@pinkpurseproject.org