LINDSEY RAMSEY | PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

Lindsey Ramsey
Executive Director, Shady Lane School

Lindsey Ramsey is the first African American executive director of Shady Lane School in Point Breeze North, which serves children 6 weeks to 5 years old.

It’s a full-circle moment for her, as she attended her first Child Development Associate classes there before she knew where her career would lead her. Ramsey says as a homeless teen, she barely finished high school and dropped out of college. She got pregnant and found a job the only place she could as a single mom — Eastminster Church was hiring an aide in their child care program in the infant room.

The director encouraged her to join a CDA program and get college credit; she now has a master’s degree and is in the process of getting her doctorate. She’s gone on to create the Statewide Provider Advisory Board, an advocacy group of early childhood professionals, and serves on numerous statewide boards and commissions.