TANGELA THORNTON

“IF I CAN HELP SOMEBODY AS I TRAVEL ALONG IF I CAN HELP SOMEBODY WITH A WORD OR SONG. IF I CAN HELP SOMEBODY FROM DOING WRONG, THEN MY LIVING SHALL NOT BE IN VAIN”- Performed by Mahalia Jackson 

This is truly my life’s mission: to be of service. I have always had a passion for helping women. The genesis of unlimited potential started when I was 8 years old. I had a classmate that came to school day after day very withdrawn, wouldn’t participate in class and was failing. Some of the kids would tease her because she didn’t have the best hygiene and her clothing was always in disarray. One day our teacher approached me and asked if I could help my classmate by bringing some of my clothing that I wasn’t wearing and she would supply the hygiene products. I said, of course, I would love to help and each day when my classmate would arrive in school our teacher would dismiss her and me to go to the bathroom so she could clean herself up and change into the clothing that I brought. I will never forget the smile that crossed my classmate’s face or the big hug that she gave me as she stared at herself in the mirror. She began to socialize with other classmate and she began to matriculate. It was the best feeling in the world. Little did I know that this encounter would set my feet on the path to my destiny. I have had many people that have crossed my path that have become beacons of light that have propelled me forward. I, too, wish to be a guiding light so that women who have lost their way can get back on the path of becoming the highest expression of themselves. 

Minister Tangela Thornton is a native of Akron Ohio. 

She attended Oberlin College where she earned a bachelor of science degree in sociology and African American studies. While attending college, minister Thornton collaborated with fellow students to develop and promote cultural awareness via the arts and community service events. Additionally, she worked with fellow students and administrators at Oberlin college to orchestrate a visit to the college from bishop desmond tutu of South Africa in an effort to dispel the system of apartheid in that country. Upon graduation from college, minister Thornton relocated to long beach, California where she served as a teacher and mentor for inner-city youth who resided in Compton and watts. She returned to her hometown of Akron, Ohio to serve as a clerk for the honorable judge joseph Roulhac. Min. Thornton would recount that she had gained tremendous wisdom under the tutelage of the late judge Roulhac, who had served as the first African American prosecutor in summit county and the first African American judge appointed to the municipal court. Min. Thornton would later accept a position with the national urban league in new york city where she would serve as the assistant director of the drugs destroy dreams program. She later took a position with creating a young adult center where she served as the director of vocational and education services in new york city. Prior to settling in the Chicago area, min. Thornton worked in the research department at Goldman Sachs investment banking company. 

Minister Thornton currently resides in Chicago, il. She is the wife of Cornelius “perk” Thornton and is the proud mother of Johnathan Logan and kumari Christina. She is the CEO of women of unlimited potential, the CEO of unlimited potential inc. And co-founder of unlimited potential house consultants inc.