Check Out Aarie Wade’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aarie Wade. 

Hi Aarie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started working in Early Childhood Education when I was just 15 years old. In the last 25 years, I have played many different roles in the field, from teacher to Billing specialist and ultimately Director for both For and Non- profit centers. During my time working in Early Childhood, I received my CDA (Child Development Associate Credential) but decided to take a different route and pursue my degree in Social Work. I earned a master’s degree in social work in 2017 from Western Michigan University. This is when my professional career really took off. I was hired at Baxter Community Center as the Child Development Director in the fall of 2017, and since the my role has expanded, changing my title to Director of Education. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I had a college degree, a Child Development Associate credential, and lead teaching experience, but none of that quite prepared me for my new leadership role. I wanted to be liked. I wanted to please. I didn’t want anyone to be mad at me. All of that was fine until evaluation time when the teachers (all of whom were older than me) started to push back. I learned that leadership can feel very lonely. 

Still, I had a vision. Our center had a lot of growing to do. My goal as a director was not only to get myself to the next level but our staff as well. I began to set clear boundaries: I didn’t insert myself into classroom lessons; I kept conversations focused on the children; I worked to develop professional relationships. After a while, my team began taking me more seriously. They started seeing me as their advocate and as someone they could come to with questions. 

After six years, I moved to Baxter Community Center as director of education and director of its Child Development Center. I supervise a staff of more than 15 and serve over 60 children, infants to pre-K. 

Baxter is where I really started growing my leadership skills: In this new role, I was the expert, and my director looked to me to solve the challenges facing the Child Development Center. But at the beginning, staff questioned my expertise and often challenged my knowledge and ideas. My first task was to develop a tightly knit structure, which took a lot of redirection and relationship development. This experience transformed me professionally. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Like I said before, I am the Director of Education at Baxter Community Center. In my role at Baxter, I am responsible for the oversight of our Child Development Center, out Out of School programming as well as the development and implementation of educational opportunities that involve all ages. I am also the CEO and Founder of The Black Book Exchange Box, a non-profit organization with a mission to highlight and provide access to Books that represent Black people, language, culture, and experiences. TBBEB was founded in 2019 and became a 501c3 in 2021. I am also Member at Large for the wester Chapter of Michigan Association of the Education of Young Children and board trustee for Kent School Services Network, Camp Roger, and was elected to the Grand Rapids Public School Board in 2022. 

I specialize and am passionate about developing people; through my role at Baxter, I have the privilege to work directly with staff to provide professional development, guidance, and mentorship for teachers to not just become the best at what they do but the best at who they are. 

I am known for being my authentic self; I pride myself on remaining unapologetic about who I am. I show up my authentic self in spaces where people who look like me often feel the need to change to fit the norm or make others comfortable. This, I believe, is what sets me apart. My lived experience professional experience combined with a passion for advocacy and education. 

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Being unapologetic. I spoke a lot about it in the last question. Staying true to your authentic self and beliefs while honoring and respecting the experiences of others. Passion, Grit, and Wisdom are other characteristics that I can attribute my success to. Last is the willingness to take risks; I am not afraid to do hard things, dream big or fail big. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wearebaxter.org and https://www.blackbookexchangebox.org/

Image Credits
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