Hidden Gems: Meet Tanteneya Harpe of Generational Child Care

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanteneya Harpe.

Hi Tanteneya, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

I was raised in Macon, Georgia, where most of my childhood was spent in happiness and fulfillment. My mother and father worked tirelessly to provide a better upbringing for me, sacrificing precious personal time. Witnessing their determination fuelled my own ambition to excel. I was very active in school and indulged in my studies and any other activities I could. I graduated at the top of my class at Southwest High School in 2008. Following high school, I attended Valdosta State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media in 2012.

Eager to pursue my dream job, I relocated to Atlanta shortly after college. Eager to excel, I seized every opportunity, realizing soon enough that further education was indispensable. During this stage, I obtained a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. After tying the knot in 2013, I happily returned to my hometown of Macon, eager to begin a new chapter in my life, rooted in giving back to my community and nurturing my own family. As soon as I returned home to Macon, I worked at a non-profit as a lower-level personal support staff. After two years of dedicated service, I was promoted to the continuous quality assurance manager role. This position allowed me to witness firsthand the power of effectively monitoring and managing others’ well-being. In 2016, I embarked on my journey to found Generational Child Care, a foster care agency. Our foster care program has been providing foster homes to hundreds of children since 2016. We’re delighted to have also forged deep links with our local community and state partners, including the Division of Family & Children Services and the Multi-Agency Alliance for Children. Throughout the course of our existence, we have maintained an active accreditation through the Council on Quality Leadership. We are always looking for people who are willing to foster children in their homes.

In addition to my work at the non-profit, I joined forces with my husband in 2017 to create Mekhi Transportation LLC. Currently, Mekhi Transportation LLC operates a dump trucking business that works with brokers to move products. During my spare time, I also share financial tips and prepare taxes for individual and corporate clients under the Macon Finance Team. I am passionate about doing community service and being a change agent within my community. My involvement in the community extends beyond my professional work, as I also host annual events such as toy drives, networking events, and more to give back to those in need. I am a 2023 Leadership Macon (local leadership cohort) graduate. I am also currently participating in another local cohort, The Urban Leadership Academy. I aim to become as knowledgeable as I can in order to continue being a change agent within my community.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Beyond recruiting foster parents, it’s also challenging to debunk misconceptions and break down barriers. It has been my goal to streamline the licensing process for foster parents. One of the biggest hurdles we face is the lengthy and complex licensing process. It is exhausting every day to see so many foster youth in need of homes. For me, recruiting quality foster parents is a constant effort. On a daily basis, we deny approximately 25-30 foster children.

As a result of the pandemic, I have been readjusting to people. Prior to the pandemic, I was much more extrovert, and now I am somewhat introverted. Despite, my own personal challenges and limitations. I feel compelled to serve others and make a positive difference in my community. During the past year, I lost my stepfather and grandfather. While I understand death as inevitable, it certainly makes the road to life much more challenging. I am determined to continue my path of service and to help others navigate their difficult times. I want to set an example of resilience and hope to those who may be struggling. I want to honor the memory of my grandparents and stepfather by living a meaningful life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?

As a leading provider of foster care services in Georgia, Generational Child Care is dedicated to helping youth from birth to 21 years of age find loving and supportive homes. We offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to the unique needs of each child through our extensive network and resources. Our main office is located in Macon, GA at 275 Northside Xing, Macon, GA 31210. Our services range from licensing and training to matching foster children to suitable homes and ensuring they receive thorough care. We provide case management services, which include managing most aspects of the foster children’s lives to ensure all supports involved are meeting the child’s physical, social, emotional, educational/vocational, nutritional, spiritual/cultural, and permanency needs. We also provide quality assurance services that require constant monitoring of the foster home, and all supports to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?

Strong connections and mentorship can undeniably transform one’s life trajectory. I believe if you are genuinely influenced by the work of someone, you should share this with this person and seek to be intentional about the fact you are seeking mentorship.

I also believe in being involved in local community events. The more people see you, the more they are likely to associate your name with your brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.generationalchildcare.com
• Instagram: @generationalchildcare
• Facebook:@generationalchildcare, @TanteneyaCharnaeHarpe, @MaconFinanceTeam