"Empowerment is the blueprint that transforms potential into possibility, challenges into opportunities, and individuals into architects of their own destinies.
In resource-deprived communities, challenges like poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and a lack of role models create cycles that hinder progress.
Inspired by the role of an architect, the Arcitec Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to bridging these gaps by designing, building, and refining pathways to success for marginalized youth. By integrating the transferable skills of sport, the principles of business, and the framework of education, we curate transformative programs that provide access to resources, exposure to opportunities, and a network of mentorship. Our mission is to empower individuals to take control of their futures and become architects of their own destinies
"Empowerment is the blueprint that transforms potential into possibility, challenges into opportunities, and individuals into architects of their own destinies.
Building a future-ready workforce isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity. The skills learned in sports aren’t confined to the field—they serve as the bedrock for success in life, business, and education.
By instilling these transferable skills early on, we empower the youth to not just navigate but thrive in a rapidly changing professional landscape. Embracing the synergy between sports, business, and education is not just an investment in skill development; it’s a strategic approach to cultivating well-rounded, adaptable individuals poised to lead in the face of dynamic challenges
The essence of ARCITEC is not merely a set of static principles, but dynamic forces that pulsate through every facet of our organization. These elements guide our actions, decisions, and aspirations, forming the very heartbeat that defines our identity and direction.
uthenticity – Guided by sincerity, staying true to our essence and unwavering principles.
esilience – Meeting challenges head-on, resilient in our pursuit, and emerging stronger with every trial.
ommunity – Building and nurturing relationships, cultivating connections, understanding that we thrive when we uplift one another.
nnovation – Pioneering change by envisioning new possibilities and fearlessly pushing boundaries.
ransformation – Committed to personal and collective growth, always aiming to be better today than we were yesterday.
xcellence – Striving for the pinnacle in everything we undertake, pushing the limits of what is achievable.
ommitment – Dedicated to our vision, mission, and each other, unwavering in our resolve.
Alando Tucker’s incredible journey embodies the fusion of sports, business, and education, highlighting a path from an underserved community to success. Starting as a determined basketball player, he rose to become the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s All-Time leading scorer, Big Ten player of the year, a graduate, and an NBA first-round draft pick. His decade-long professional career honed his values of discipline, commitment, collaboration, and determination—qualities that extend beyond sports.
Today, he’s an executive at a leading Midwest real estate firm, co-founded an immersive tech company, and his impact expands through the Arcitec Foundation. His transformative shift from adversity to prominence epitomizes the foundation’s principles, offering a blueprint to empower communities.
The Arcitec Foundation empowers underserved communities, elevating their quality of life. It blends the impactful attributes learned through sport with architectural principles to construct a society where marginalized youth emerge as architects of their own destinies
Joshua Mercer, with over 10+ years of experience in the insurance sector, leads an agency serving 3000+ customers. Joshua is the Chief Marketing Officer at Eventnoire, the world’s largest black-owned ticketing platform, and he pioneered initiatives like HomecomingAtHoward.com, the premier platform for Howard Homecoming. His impact extends beyond marketing, founding Swish Dreams, a program that impacted the lives of over 750 youth in Chicago.
Joshua Mercer’s journey is defined by innovation and community impact. Before entrepreneurship, he dedicated himself to education as an award-winning Chicago public school teacher and a Youth Investment instructor at the Chicago Urban League. His leadership in insurance, marketing, and youth advocacy reflects a commitment to service and excellence, shaping a brighter tomorrow for future generations.
Krystal Tucker is a seasoned event producer with an impressive 15-year tenure crafting meticulously planned programming and immersive experiences tailored for nonprofit entities and corporate giants. Within her role as the esteemed Production VP at Wagner Lane Productions, Krystal orchestrates seamless events for a prestigious roster of clients, including but not limited to Hope Chicago, BET, Invenergy, the Chicago Mayor’s Office, and LanzaJet.
In addition to her noteworthy contributions within the event production sphere, Krystal extends her expertise through consultancy services provided to the EDIB offices at renowned academic institutions such as Harvard University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With an unwavering dedication to fostering inclusive environments and driving impactful change, Krystal Tucker exemplifies excellence in every facet of her distinguished career as an event planner.
Romel Ferguson is a dedicated advocate for education and labor rights, bringing over 16 years of experience in organizing and policy to his role at the Chicago Teachers Union. With a steadfast commitment to empowering educators and students alike, Romel plays a pivotal role in shaping policies that drive equity and innovation within Chicago’s public schools.
Beyond his work at the CTU, Romel has been instrumental in grassroots initiatives that amplify the voices of teachers and working families. His leadership extends to strategic community partnerships, ensuring that Chicago’s educators have the resources and support they need to foster success in and out of the classroom. Passionate about systemic change, Romel Ferguson continues to champion policies that build a more just and equitable education landscape.
Cornell Lurry possesses over two decades of expertise in financial and banking management, covering customer relations, business banking, employee development, financial planning, regulatory compliance, sales, and training. Notably, he served in a Vice President role at First Midwest Bank for 21 years, demonstrating a deep commitment to community development by overseeing 295 events and contributing 3,700 service hours.
Exhibiting steadfast ethical stewardship, Cornell employs an empowering managerial approach, prioritizing the establishment and nurturing of enduring relationships to cultivate trust and foster business development opportunities. His skill set encompasses adept leadership, extensive computer proficiency, proven financial planning prowess, and a contemporary grasp of community developmental needs and solutions.
Courtland Cuevas, a native of Madison, Wisconsin, is a rising attorney in Los Angeles, California. Graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Grainger School of Business, he earned a bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in Marketing while competing on the Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Team, winning a Big Ten Championship. Cuevas interned at the NBA League Office in New York City and produced multiple shows at ESPN Wisconsin during his time as a student-athlete.
Following his undergraduate studies, Cuevas received acceptance offers from top-tier law schools across the nation and opted to attend UCLA School of Law. He specialized in media, entertainment, technology, and sports law. Throughout his legal education, he distinguished himself on the UCLA Law Review and became President of the UCLA Sports Law Association. His journey into the legal realm was further embellished by internships at Creative Artists Agency. Cuevas now works as an attorney at Proskauer Rose, where he contributes his skills and expertise as a litigator.
Sheridan Blanford has 10+ years in collegiate athletics. Most recently, named the inaugural Associate Athletics Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the University of Washington in January of 2021. Sheridan also runs a DEI consulting business along with a non-profit that supports DEI leaders across collegiate and professional sport.
In the last 5 years, Sheridan has been named Professional Woman of the Year at the Black Student-Athlete Summit, one of Wisconsin’s 49 Most Influential Black Leaders by Madison 365, and a Rising Star by Women Leaders in College Sports. Sheridan graduated from St. Olaf College where she played basketball received her and Master’s degree from the University of Washington.
