About
Mission Statement
Meet With Our Team
Founder/Director
Lisa Leveque Ph. D
I am a Classically trained lyric soprano and have travelled with the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers bringing the Negro Spiritual to the world. I grew up in Philadelphia, PA graduating from Temple University receiving a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Choral conducting and Education. In addition to the Jubilee Singers, I was a member of The Los Angeles Master Chorale, a resident company of The Music Center of Los Angeles.
I am certified to teach all orchestral instruments as well as choral Music in both California and Pennsylvania. I have taught in the Lynwood, Los Angeles Unified, Lancaster and Palmdale School Districts. I received a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from California State University, Northridge and a Doctor of Human Services specializing in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Capella University. I hold Multiple Subjects, Tier 1 Administrative, and Single Subject (Music) credentials in the State of California.
My life is always surrounded by music. Besides singing professionally, I have conducted a 125-voice children’s choir as an afterschool program, performing in multiple languages, incorporating both dance and sign language. Under a grant, I developed the Choral Music/Musical Theater Department for the Palmdale School District’s Fine Arts Academy.
I founded F.O.C.U.S because I recognize a need for team building within families. I grew up in a two-parent home in a time when it was possible for my father to be the breadwinner, my mother who didn’t need to work, while still maintaining an upper middle-class way of life. Unfortunately, that is no longer the norm. Today, families, whether headed by a single parent, or a married parent who feels like they are doing it all, need to support each other. Additionally, it is easy to become isolated, and F.O.C.U.S gives families opportunities to network with other families and community to build the necessary village to raise successful, confident children who will become productive members of society.
Secretary / Program Director
Thomas J. Leveque Ed. D.
After spending 15 years as a production executive in the motion picture and television industries, Dr. Leveque, became a teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School district in an elementary school just south of downtown Los Angeles. Dr. Leveque spent seven years in the classroom, teaching in grades one through five and during this time, he obtained his Administrative Services Credential and a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. Directly following this, Dr. Leveque entered the prestigious Educational Leadership Program at U.C.L.A. earning a Doctor of Education degree.
Dr. Leveque worked as an Assistant Principal at several elementary schools before moving to the Palmdale School District as principal. He worked in this capacity for six years, taking his school from one of the least successful elementary schools in the district to one of the most successful. After retiring from the school district, Dr. Leveque set his sights on Higher Education and became Chief Academic Officer for College Bridge a nonprofit organization that helps underserved high school students become successful college students. Following this Dr, Leveque became an adjunct professor and later associate dean for Pacific Oaks a small Liberal Arts College in their School of Education.
Dr. Leveque joins F.O.C.U.S. as both its Secretary and Program Director working closely with the administrative team to help design its many innovative programs.
Treasurer
Mr. Ekong Uko M.A.
Mr. Ekong Uko, is an educator, wellness coach, and personal trainer. He grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, before coming to the United States to further his education. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Accounting from California State University, Dominguez Hills, CA. Also, he achieved his Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from National University, San Deigo, CA. In the State of California, Mr. Uko holds a Multiple Subjects credential and a Tier 1 Administrative Credential.
Mr. Uko worked as an accountant for small and large companies for several years. Also, he taught business and accounting classes at vocational colleges. He presently works as a teacher for the Palmdale School District.
Mr. Uko enjoys teaching, mentoring, motivating, and challenging youngsters to become their best version. He truly believes that every child is a shiny star if given the guidance, resources, and opportunity to perform. Working with FOCUS will give him the opportunity to work with families and youngsters to achieve their goals and dreams. He joins F.O.C.U.S. serving as the Treasurer.
Communications Consultant
Sydni Jean M.A.
Sydni Jean works as a Publicity Corporate Communications Coordinator at The Walt Disney Company under the ABC Owned Television Stations division. Jean received her Master’s of Arts in Communications Management from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Penn State University. She reigns from Philadelphia, PA.
In Jean’s past experiences, she has about 3-4 years of digital media, publicity, and marketing experience. Previously, she worked as a Digital Marketing Analyst at Capacity Interactive where she analyzed trends in the digital space within social media, SEM, and SEO. Also, she worked as a Publicity and Promotions Coordinator at Allied Global Marketing where she created pitches for film studios such as Sony Pictures, Walt Disney Home Entertainment, Amazon Studios, etc, along with planning and executing promotional campaigns. Jean assisted on promotional events for the Kimmel Center’s National Broadway Tour and Kimmel Center Presents series. Jean also has experience with managing and handling talent during press tours in the Philadelphia markets. Her goals focus on social media marketing, digital marketing, communications, media relations, and writing.
Jean has worked with many employers such as The Kimmel Center, The Philadelphia Real Estate Group, International Channel Shanghai, and WPSU, where her work has been seen by diverse audiences, which makes her an adaptable employee. She has worked behind the scenes in TV and Radio as a creative strategist. She was also recognized as the first Broadway League Diversity and Inclusion fellow outside of NY.
Her goal is to work in the marketing and publicity department in the Theater and Entertainment industry.
Sydni joins F.O.C.U.S. as Communications Consultant.
Chief Graphic Designer and Media Consultant
Grayson Leveque
Grayson Leveque is a self-taught graphic designer, photographer, videographer and editor, stop-motion animator, and YouTube personality. He has been making Youtube videos since 2016 and has significantly improved his craft. Grayson also dabbles in visual effects, and his favorite type of stop-motion animation is brick-filming, which involves making stop-motion animations with Legos. Grayson currently works as an Audio Engineer for the Lancaster Seventh-Day Adventist Church while occasionally running the video Live stream for the same organization. Not to mention, he plays a vital role at school, where he is a part of the Yearbook team and served as the Media Manager for SOAR Game Club. Grayson Leveque joins F.O.C.U.S. as Chief Graphic Designer and Media Consultant.
Digital Media Director
Alex Flores M.F.A.
Alex Flores is an artist, activist and educator who lives with his wife and son in Lancaster, California. He has over a decade of experience working in major studios such as the Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros Television. He also has 5 years of experience teaching Middle School, High School and College courses. His commitment to equity and social justice is an integral part of his pedagogy. Alex joins F.O.C.U.S. as Digital Media Director.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Leslie Wills Ed D.
Dr. Wills spent much of her career working in the private sector and has worked in some of the top law firms in the country. Upon moving to Lancaster, Dr. Wills devoted her time to raising her son as a single parent, youth sports and other community activities while working with non-profit organizations such as the Flight Test Historical Foundation and P. A. T. Projects before utilizing her management and leadership skills with technology companies, including Lockheed Martin Information Technology, and NASA.
Dr. Wills received her Doctorate Degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of LaVerne. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Webster University and a Master of Health Administration from Strayer University. She has over 15 years’ experience educating adults at various levels of leadership and those ascending leaders as an Associate Professor for several years before scaling back to an Adjunct Professor to devote her efforts to K-12 education with the Lancaster School District. Now, her time is spent teaching 6th grade middle school students during the day and adults aspiring to obtain master’s degrees in the evenings. She joins F.O.C.U.S. as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.