Janell Pearson was born and raised in Harlem, New York City, and she grew up with family and community love. She became an entrepreneur at the early age of 25. In 1981, she opened her first business, named T.M.A. Enterprises on 125th. Street, which provided Secretarial Services, Messenger, and Office Business Support. Janell was the sweetheart of 125th. Street. She appeared in articles from the Amsterdam News and other significant media newspapers, acknowledged for being so young as a successful businesswoman. She wears her positive thinking as her “Superpower.”

Pearson received many awards for her business contributions to the Harlem community; she also opened a second midtown location before the age of 30 years old.

In 1986, she received an award from the Honorable Dorothy Heights of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), along with Whitney Houston, Rev. Calvin Butts, and a host of other established businesspeople, at the Hilton Hotel, New York City.

In 1988, Janell received an award from Dorothy Pittman Hughes, another Honorable Black historical leader. She was known for her Civil Rights, Children’s Rights, and she owned Harlem Office Supply Company on 125th Street. 

After ten years, Janell returned to work in the corporate sector, where she thrived in mostly fortune 500 companies for 30 years.

Janell Pearson felt it was vital for her to write this book on her father, Plĕas (pronounced Plez) Tusant Pearson. The book name is “For the Strength of Harlem”; he was a Community Activist and Serial Entrepreneur, Plĕas contribution is still relevant today, along with the Civil Rights and the Black Lives Matter Movements. He was an unsung hero, and she thought it was important for his story to be told.