About Our Organization

Roots to Rise
Foundations

A comprehensive network of legal, business, creative, and educational professionals dedicated to building foundations for sustainable growth and community impact.

Our Mission

We empower individuals, organizations, and communities through integrated legal counsel, business strategy, creative production, and educational initiatives. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive solutions that address complex challenges while building sustainable pathways to success.

Leadership Team

Our leadership brings together decades of experience across legal, business, and creative industries to drive innovation and excellence.

Tenese L. Lockhart

Founder

Education

J.D. The College of William and Mary - Marshall Wythe Law School (2016-2019) • B.A. University of North Carolina at Greensborough, Sociology (2007-2011) • Charlotte Amalie High School (2003-2007)

Current Role

Practicing across multiple jurisdictions and nations for the past 10+ years

Professional Experience

Amazon (Sep 2022 - Present)

Associate Corporate Counsel, IP & Advertising • Arlington, VA

ArentFox Schiff (Mar 2022 - Aug 2022)

Associate • United States

Arent Fox (Oct 2019 - Sep 2022)

Associate • Greater New York City Area

Federal Maritime Commission (May 2017 - Aug 2017)

Summer Legal Intern, Office of General Counsel • Washington D.C. Metro Area

Hollingsworth LLP (Aug 2012 - May 2014)

Litigation Paralegal • Pharmaceutical product liability cases, FDA compliance

Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (2007-2011)

Summer Legal Intern & HR Intern • Virgin Islands (U.S.)

Key Expertise: Corporate Law • Intellectual Property • Advertising Law • Multi-Jurisdictional Litigation • International Federal Regulations • Cross-Border Legal Research

Jurisdictional Experience: United States Federal • State Courts • International IP & Advertising Compliance • Cross-Border Corporate Matters

Honors: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. • Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society

Volunteer: SEED Public Charter School Tutor • America Reads Student Tutor

Sansara Cannon

CEO & Strategic Operations Director

Education

J.D. Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law • B.A. George Washington University (Magna Cum Laude)

Bar Admissions

New York (2014) • New Jersey (2013) • Virgin Islands Territory (2021)

Current Role

Specializing in multi-jurisdictional Federal and local oversight and international compliance for the past 15+ years

Industry Specializations

Litigation • Client Management • Transactional Business Operations in Tech • Finance • Data Privacy • Agriculture • Food Production • Education • Entertainment • Real Estate • Estate Planning • Energy • Infrastructure • Construction • Gas & Oil • Regulatory Compliance

18 Years Legal Experience

Expert in federal litigation, fraud detection, whistleblower law, ethics, FOIA/Privacy Act, and multimillion-dollar program oversight. Recognized for architecting AI-driven compliance tools and spearheading interagency task forces.

The Cannon

Legal, AI, Business Management Consultant, and Operations specialist with extensive experience in strategic planning, technology integration, and organizational development across multiple industries.

Core Competencies

Business Management • AI Integration • Operations Optimization • Strategic Consulting

Creative Leadership

Executive Producer for Blue Tarp Productions films including "Bulletproof Dreams," "Fall," and Film Over Gun Violence Program

Business Development

Specializes in scaling operations, implementing technology solutions, and driving organizational growth

Key Expertise: Multi-Jurisdictional Inspector General Operations • International Federal Litigation • AI & Technology Integration Across Borders • Congressional Briefings • Global Fraud Prevention • Cross-Border Risk Management

Jurisdictional Scope: Federal Oversight Across All U.S. Territories • International Compliance Monitoring • Cross-Border Investigations • Multi-State Task Force Leadership

Previous Roles: AUSA Virgin Islands • ADA Bronx • Governor's Office Legal Counsel • Pandemic Oversight Task Force Senior Counsel

Focus Areas: Strategic Operations • Technology Implementation • Creative Production • Business Consulting • Legal Technology • AI-Driven Solutions

Our Network & Strategic Partners

We collaborate with leading organizations across legal, financial, creative, educational, and technology sectors to deliver comprehensive solutions.

Legal Services

Hamilton Clarke LLP: Premier criminal defense and commercial litigation
Morrison Cohen: Crisis management and special situations
Federal Connections: DOJ, OIG offices, Congressional relations

Financial Services

Momentum Advisors: $400M AUM, wealth management
Clear Vantage Business Solutions: CPA services, tax resolution
Strategic Planning: Investment management, business growth

Creative Production

Blue Tarp Productions: Virgin Islands independent filmmakers
Tri Destined Studios: African-American owned production studio
American Theatre Wing: Tony Awards, theatrical excellence

Educational Excellence

Center for Educational Growth: Virtual and in-person education solutions
100% Success Rate: All graduates accepted to college
Recovery Programs: 27% grade improvement average

Technology & AI

LawBeta: AI implementation for legal sector
AI Integration: Machine learning, legal research automation
Innovation: Data-driven legal practice solutions

Crisis & Emergency

One World Associates: Crisis management, disaster response
Emergency Response: Hurricane recovery, federal coordination
Public Safety: Community support and rebuilding

Core Competencies & Services

Our integrated approach combines legal expertise, business strategy, creative production, and educational innovation to deliver comprehensive solutions.

Legal Excellence

Federal Practice

  • • Inspector General Operations
  • • Federal Litigation Strategy
  • • Congressional Briefings
  • • Compliance & Ethics

Specialized Areas

  • • Fraud Detection & Prevention
  • • Whistleblower Law
  • • FOIA/Privacy Act
  • • Criminal Defense

Financial Strategy

Wealth Management

  • • Investment Advisory
  • • Financial Planning
  • • Risk Management
  • • Estate Planning

Business Services

  • • Tax Resolution
  • • Corporate Accounting
  • • Audit & Compliance
  • • Strategic Planning

Creative Production

Film & Media

  • • Independent Film Production
  • • Documentary Creation
  • • Social Impact Programs
  • • Community Storytelling

Theatre & Arts

  • • Theatrical Excellence
  • • Artist Development
  • • Cultural Programming
  • • Industry Recognition

AI & Technology

Legal Technology

  • • AI-Powered Legal Research
  • • Document Automation
  • • Compliance Tools
  • • Process Optimization

Innovation

  • • Machine Learning Integration
  • • Data Analytics
  • • Workflow Automation
  • • Digital Transformation

Educational Impact

The Center for Educational Growth demonstrates our commitment to educational excellence and student success.

100%
College Acceptance Rate
27%
Average Grade Improvement
2.0→3.0
GPA Improvement
100%
Graduate Success

Global Reach & Impact

Our international network spans six continents, delivering comprehensive legal, business, creative, and educational solutions across diverse markets and cultures.

Active Regions Worldwide

United States - Federal & State Operations Caribbean - Virgin Islands Base Central America South America Amsterdam, Netherlands Denmark Africa China Pakistan Australia New Zealand
Active Operations
Network Connections
Expanding Reach
11
Active Regions
Across 6 Continents
25+
Countries Served
Direct & Partner Network
24/7
Global Coverage
Multiple Time Zones
50+
Years Experience
Cumulative Network

Americas

🇺🇸 United States Federal & State
🏝️ Caribbean (Virgin Islands) Base Operations
🌎 Central America Regional Partners
🌍 South America Strategic Alliance

Global Network

🇳🇱 Amsterdam, Netherlands European Hub
🇩🇰 Denmark Nordic Operations
🌍 Africa Continental Reach
🇨🇳 China Asian Markets
🇵🇰 Pakistan South Asian Hub
🇦🇺 Australia Pacific Headquarters
🇳🇿 New Zealand Oceania Network

United States Coverage

Comprehensive legal and business services across key US markets

🏖️

Florida

Southeast Regional Hub

🏙️

New Jersey

Mid-Atlantic Operations

🌴

California

West Coast Headquarters

🤠

Texas

Southwest Regional Center

Our Values & Approach

Built on principles of excellence, integrity, and innovation, we create lasting impact through collaborative partnerships and strategic thinking.

Integrity First

Every decision and action is guided by the highest ethical standards and unwavering commitment to doing what's right.

Innovation Driven

We embrace cutting-edge technology and creative solutions to solve complex challenges and create new opportunities.

Community Impact

Our success is measured by the positive impact we create in the communities and organizations we serve.

Geographic Presence

Operating across multiple jurisdictions with deep local knowledge and federal expertise.

Washington, DC

Federal government relations, policy development

New York

Legal services, financial markets, creative industries

Virgin Islands

Education, creative production, community development

Global Reach

International partnerships, cross-border solutions

Ready to Build Your Foundation?

Whether you need legal counsel, business strategy, creative production, or educational solutions, our integrated approach delivers results.