Tanika Harper is a Knoxville native and graduated from Austin East High School. She has a B.A. in English, a B.A. in Sociology, both obtained from the University of Tennessee, an M.S. in Criminal Justice, obtained from The University of Cincinnati and a M.S. in Ethics and Leadership obtained from Johnson University. Ms. Harper has ownership in three small businesses, starting the first in 2008, Shora Foundation. Shora provides educational youth opportunities and small business development resources. In 2014, she founded Harper’s Naturals, LLC out of a need to have healthier skin due to an autoimmune disease. Lastly, in 2020, Ms. Harper helped co -found The Women Foundation, whose goal is to provide access to capital to Black owned businesses.