Letter from the Executive Director

Shawn Marie Taylor, Executive Director, FFRC

Dear Families Forward Community,

My name is Shawn Marie Taylor, and I have the distinct honor of serving as the Executive Director of Families Forward Resource Center (FFRC). With nearly three decades of experience supporting children and families—and a lifelong commitment to uplifting communities—I’m stepping into this leadership role with both deep humility and unwavering passion.

Over the past 28 years, I’ve worn many hats at FFRC: Family Advocate, Board Member, Director of Programs, and now Executive Director. This journey has been steeped in love, resilience, and purpose. Along the way, I’ve also shaped lives on the basketball court as a high school girls' coach for 25 years, served my faith community through the Deaconess Ministry, and raised two incredible daughters who now bless me with four beautiful grandchildren. These personal experiences are my compass—they remind me every day why this work matters.

Our mission at FFRC is clear: to radically reduce infant and maternal mortality among African American/Black families. This mission lives in my bones. It has guided me through moments of great loss—including the passing of FFRC’s Founder and first Executive Director in 2008, and the unexpected loss of our second Executive Director in March of 2023. These were heartbreaking transitions. Yet through grace, faith, and the collective strength of our team, I’ve embraced this call to leadership with a spirit of transformation and a heart full of determination.

I lead from the center—not the top—because I believe in empowering others. Our team is cultivating systems that dismantle oppressive structures affecting our families. Together, we’re driving change through initiatives that address fatherhood, maternal wellness, and community resilience.

At the heart of this work is a promise: empowering families and strengthening communities. FFRC stands as a sanctuary of support—offering accessible, wraparound services from prenatal care and parenting education to emotional wellness and self-advocacy. We are, and always have been, your extended family—dedicated to nurturing safe, healthy, and thriving communities.

We believe in radical care, not just for those we serve, but also for those who serve. That means creating a workplace where parents can bring their children, where a dedicated nursing room welcomes families, and where mental health support is not just offered, but championed. We embrace wellness, transparency, and a culture that allows staff to thrive—body, mind, and spirit.

I align closely with a reformer’s leadership style, keeping the best interests of others at the forefront. My role now extends beyond program oversight to representing FFRC’s vision on broader platforms. By collaborating across sectors—from faith-based to healthcare, education to philanthropy—we’re driving a collective impact that redefines possibilities for families of color.

With grace as my guide and faith as my foundation, I stand rooted in the fight to eliminate disparities by confronting social isolation, systemic racism, and barriers to culturally responsive healthcare. This work is hard, but it’s holy. It is a journey. And as I often say: You can’t possibly welcome others to anything until you welcome yourself to everything.

Thank you for walking alongside us. The future is bright—and we are just getting started.

With gratitude and purpose,

Shawn Marie Taylor