our founder
- Sonia Marshall-Brown, is the Founder and Executive Director of It Takes a Village to Educate a Child (TAVTEC), a non-profit organization. With over 20 years of experience in general and special education as well as in business, Sonia is a passionate advocate for individuals with autism and neurodivergent diagnoses. She is dedicated to creating equitable opportunities for people with disabilities. Sonia partners with individuals, families, and service providers to develop programs that enhance self-esteem, social skills, career readiness, and housing access for young adults with disabilities. Sonia has taught and mentored educators in: K-12, higher education, special education, community engagement and more.
- Notable Achievements:
- - Former Deputy Chair, Hudson Valley After School Network (HVAN),
- driving excellence in after-school programming
- - Created and implemented social skills and entrepreneurship programs in
- K-12 schools, YMCA, and community centers
- - Led panels with superintendents and legislators to advocate
- for equitable social-emotional learning and opportunities for individuals with disabilities
- Awards & Recognition:
- - AmeriCorp Segal Education Award: successfully completed
- over 1200 hours of service supporting individuals with autism and multiple disabilities
- - Featured in Smithsonian Magazine, for contributions to President
- Bill Clinton Foundation’s Small Business Initiative
- - Recognized by Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senator Shelley Mayer,
- Assemblyman Steve Otis, Iona College, and others for child advocacy work
- Education & Service:
- - Masters in Special & General Education, College of New Rochelle
- - Bachelors in Sales and Marketing, Baruch College
- - Board Member, Charleston Stage, SC
- - School Improvement Committee, Cane Bay High School, SC 2023, 2022
- - Past PTA President, PTA Council Member