Our Board

President

With over 39 years in early childhood education, Mrs. Vantoinette Savage has dedicated her career to advancing the quality of Family Child Care (FCC) in North Carolina. As the CEO of Savage Academy and President of the Family Childcare & Center Enrichment Foundation, Inc., she has elevated FCC standards statewide, creating a supportive network for providers. Her leadership has influenced policies improving quality ratings and expanding care capacities for home-based settings. Mrs. Savage’s ongoing advocacy continues to impact FCC providers, the children they care for, and the future of family child care in North Carolina. 

Vice President

Yvonne Cottage, an Early Childhood Education graduate from East Los Angeles College with a Master Teacher permit, specializes in Child Development and Children with Special Needs. 

She is dedicated to mentoring family childcare providers and advancing excellence in early childhood education through active networking and advocacy. As the founder of The Children’s Cottage Daycare and Preschool in Lancaster, CA, Yvonne has led a committed team since 2008, fostering enriching learning environments and maintaining compliance with licensing and COVID-19 protocols. 

Her leadership extends to roles in key coalitions, budget management, and policy engagement at local, state, and national levels, where she champions quality childcare for families and providers alike.

TREASURER

 A Charlotte, NC native born in 1970, Tameka graduated from East Mecklenburg in 1988 and later attended Southeastern Beauty School, working as a hair stylist for 15 years. She has since operated Banana-Rama Daycare Inc. and Monroe Tax Service for 29 years. 

In March 2022, she co-founded the Family Childcare & Center Enrichment Foundation (FCCEF), a nonprofit by and for providers, where she now serves as Treasurer. 

Tameka is a dedicated community member involved with NASE, ABWA, BCDI, the Hidden Valley Network, and GMSBC as Usher Board Secretary.

 Happily married with five children and seven adored grandchildren, she finds joy in her roles as a mother and grandmother, and she shares her love of cooking through T&T Catering Service, a venture she started with a close friend. 

WINSTOM SALEM ADMINISTRATOR

Angelia Shipp is a dedicated Family Child Care Home Provider with eight years of experience, serving children from birth to age five. 

With an associate degree in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education from FT and a Bachelor of Science in Birth to Kindergarten Education from Winston-Salem State University, where she was honored by the Alpha Epsilon Alpha Honor Society, she brings a strong educational foundation to her work. 

Currently pursuing her master’s degree in education, Angelia combines her skills with a unique cultural perspective as a Paris native. A mother of two and grandmother of two, she is committed to creating a nurturing and organized learning environment for young children. 

Mecklenburg County Administrator

Patricia King is a 66-year-old accomplished Black woman with a rich and varied career dedicated to caregiving, education, and community service. 

Originally from Syracuse, NY, Patricia moved to Charlotte, NC, in 2004, bringing her passion for child care and early childhood education. Her career journey has spanned roles from Youth Coordinator to positions in insurance, medical assisting, truck driving, and security. 

A certified Child Development Associate (CDA) with additional studies at Onondaga Community College and Central Piedmont, she has served as a teacher in the Pre-K and More at 4 programs and has been a lead teacher across multiple age groups.

In 2014, Patricia opened her own home child care, "Grandma’s Angels," where she continues her lifelong commitment to nurturing and educating young children.