Janet V. Black has over 30 years of experience in the non-profit, human & social services field with such agencies as Battered Women’s Shelter, Girl Scouts, the National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood and the Rape Crisis Center. Among her professional roles with these groups were organizational development, volunteer administration, membership development, community organizing, and public policy advocacy.

She is an active member of Emmanuel Fellowship Church, here in Akron, where she has served as an ordained Deacon for nearly 11 years and is now the Minister of Deacons. Further examples of her community leadership at the local, state, and national levels include the Ecumenical Neighborhood Coalition and board service with Violet’s Cupboard, the Ohio Coalition on Sexual Assault (OCOSA), the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays (NCBLG).

She is completing her baccalaureate degree at Kent State University in Human Development & Family Studies, with a concentration in Family Life Education and a certificate in Non-Profit Management.

Janet was a consultant in early 2011 for our preschool in reviewing our whole style of education, atmosphere and quality of care. Later in 2011 she became the Co-Director.

Ms. Black shares her life with her partner, Laura Killian; they have three adult children and four grandchildren, the youngest of which they are raising. In her personal time, she enjoys prayer, books, listening to NPR, watching birds and listening to contemporary Christian music.