About Tezlyn Figaro M.Ed
As the founder of the award-winning Tezlyn Figaro Communications Group, Tezlyn Figaro provides communications solutions, political consulting, crisis management, and customized training for the most influential political, social and cultural leaders in America. Tezlyn's service offerings are informed by her extensive work as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Civil, Circuit, and Appellate Conflict Resolution Mediator and trainer.
Named "The Hood Whisperer,'' by nationally-syndicated radio show host and television personality Charlamagne Tha God, Tezlyn is a sought-after public speaker whose prophetic and powerful message stirs the conscience and inspires listeners across demographics. She is the host of the "Straight Shot, No Chaser" podcast on Charlamagne Tha God Tha God's Black Effect Podcast Network on iHeartRadio, the largest digital radio and music streaming service in America.
In addition to hosting her weekly podcast, Tezlyn has been seen sharing her independent, nonpartisan, black-centered perspective as a political contributor for the Black News Channel. Tezlyn has also frequently appeared on The Breakfast Club, The Hill, Fox News, MSNBC, and more.
Tezlyn was featured in the Netflix documentary 'Civil' as a senior public policy consultant for Attorney Benjamin Crump, who was named TIME Magazine's 100 world's most influential people in 2021. She has led public policy strategy for high-profile clients of the Ben Crump Law Firm, including; surviving family members of victims of police killings - George Floyd, and Monroe Bird; assault victims of former Oklahoma City Police Officer Daniel Holtzclaw, victims of the Flint water crisis, and the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida.
In 2016, she served as the National Racial Justice Director for the Bernie Sanders campaign. Her work led to several national successes during the campaign, including but not limited to the historic win during the Michigan primary. In addition, Tezlyn has served as various local, state and federal campaign operative roles throughout America over the last decade.
In 2018, Tezlyn partnered with the Cut 50 organization to assist with organizing and advocating for the historic bi-partisan first step act, which in turn passed in both the House and Senate in December 2018.
As Founder of the Allied Group, a Florida staffing firm that employed over 300 people during the 2010 recession, Tezlyn was awarded several recognitions highlighting her dedication to community service and excellence in business. In 2009, she was named the Cadillac Community Influencer of the year. She has also named the 2010 Orlando Business Journal's "40 Under 40" and the 2012 Orlando Business Journal's "Women Who Mean Business" finalist. Tezlyn is a certified Florida Supreme Court civil, circuit, and appellate conflict resolution mediator and approved trainer. She holds a bachelor's degree in management and a master's degree in adult education and training.
As Senior Political Consultant for the Ben Crump Law Firm, Tezlyn contributed her expertise to the historic George Floyd Case. Tezlyn's work included but is not limited to public policy strategy and media booking for Attorney Crump on Court TV and other national outlets. Additionally, Tezlyn and Attorney Crump jointly appeared on the nationally syndicated show The Breakfast Club.
In addition, Tezlyn also served as Senior Advisor for the George Floyd Foundation on various projects such as the George Floyd Hologram project with Change.org and The Eddie Robinson Legacy Scholarship Fund
Tezlyn also provided public policy strategy and onsite communications messaging during the historic George Floyd Justice in Policing Act 2020 congressional testimony hearing at the United States Congress in Washington, D.C.
Tezlyn also provided assistance coordinating efforts between the George Floyd Foundation and the Texas Legislative Black Caucus for the historic Texas George Floyd Act.
As Senior Political Consultant for the Ben Crump Law Firm, Tezlyn contributed her expertise to the historic Flint Waster crisis. Tezlyn's work included but is not limited to a political strategy, media relations, media booking, community advocacy, and assisting in organizing over 2000 Flint residents, which resulted in a historic $600 million settlement.
Through her extensive relationships with major media networks and her expertise in rapid response communications, Tezlyn was able to garner national and international media attention for clients whose stories are often ignored. After learning about the case of Daniel Holtzclaw, an Oklahoma City police officer accused of raping multiple Black women in his custody, she immediately enlisted Benjamin Crump, the lead attorney in the Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown cases, for legal counsel click here for clip. She withstood opposition from city leaders and raised the profile of the case while living next door to the police station Holtzclaw was assigned. Forging forward in her role as the chief publicist, she led the media strategy through the sentencing period, in which Holtzclaw received a record 263-year sentence for his heinous crimes. Outlets including MSNBC, CNN and FOX News covered the story, and 60 minutes aired a featured segment on the case. Tezlyn’s bold approach and impassioned support of the survivors led her to the United Nations, where she provided testimony on behalf of the victims during the truth and reconciliation tribunal hearings.
After noting a lack of media coverage for Monroe Bird III, the 21-year-old denied medical coverage for a gunshot wound that left him paralyzed (a wound that would later be fatal) in an altercation with a security guard, Tezlyn re-enlisted Benjamin Crump for legal counsel. Working directly with Crump and his legal team, she spearheaded the communications efforts that resulted in national network coverage, including an investigative feature on Crime Watch Daily.
Tezlyn initiated and led the rapid response and crisis communication efforts on the Orlando Pulse nightclub shootings and the Dallas police shootings. She booked over 80 national media appearances within the first hour of the Pulse nightclub shootings for the elected representatives of Orlando, Commissioner Patty Sheehan and Commissioner Regina Hill. Tezlyn convened a national press conference, drafted key talking points and booked numerous media interviews with national and international outlets for the Next Generation Action Network during the Dallas police shootings.
2016 Bernie Sanders for President
In 2016, she served as National Racial Justice Director for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign. Her work in this senior leadership role was pivotal to several successes during the campaign, including the historic win in the Michigan primary race. In Michigan, Tezlyn arranged a meeting with families impacted by the Flint water crisis and Senator Sanders. The earned media generated from the meeting elevated the crisis to the national political stage, with Sanders referencing the meeting during the Flint presidential debate, in subsequent campaign advertisements and during campaign rallies.
As Founder and President of the Allied Group, a Florida staffing firm that employed over 300 people during the 2010 recession, Tezlyn was the recipient of awards highlighting her dedication to community service and excellence in business. In 2009, she was named the Cadillac Community Influencer of the year. She has also named the 2010 Orlando Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” and the 2012 Orlando Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business” finalist.
Tezlyn holds a Bachelor of Science in management and a masters degree in adult education and training. Tezlyn is also a certified Florida Supreme Court civil, circuit and appellate conflict resolution mediator and approved trainer.