Hi my name is Shemaiah Stratford. I am a wife and mother of six.I have three biological children, two adopted boys and a foster mom to my great nephew. I have two grandchildren, ages nine and four. I am the owner and Director of the Child of Mind childcare program. This is a family business, derived from mother and daughter.  We share the same morals, values, and passion that each child will experience at Child of Mind.

We service families in the North Philadelphia area. Our program promotes, educates, and stimulates the child's mind. Our program invites children ranging from three months to five years of age. Our objective is to integrate the minds of our young children. Our ability to interact one on one and embrace the children's priorities, safety, development, and educational needs will embark great benefits for each child. Our philosophy is our children can create any life they desire. This perspective must be instilled very early in the mind to plant the seed of an ever-lasting growing tree. We encourage imagination, creativity, and individuality; these are sensations in the mind. I chose the P.R.I.D.E Teacher Cohort because I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I wanted to have the opportunity to reach a larger platform than the families I serve and bring more to the table. I identified with the message and felt this was a great opportunity to educate myself to break generational habits. This was a challenge for me but I felt a need to stay the course for my children, grandchildren and all the families I serve.    

I love to listen to reggae and afrobeats music and running is my therapy. 

I run the Broad Street Run, and one thing is that I start off slow but with commitment and determination I make it to the finish line every time eleven years and counting!