Crystal May Realized Dream of Her Daycare Center Through Women’s Foundation of Alabama

By Javacia Harris Bowser | For The Birmingham Times Inside a small building of a nondescript strip mall nestled in the heart of Hueytown, a dream is coming true. After observing firsthand Alabama’s need for more high quality, affordable childcare options during her 17 years working with the Department of Human Resources, Crystal May dreamed of opening a childcare center. “I wanted to do something to prevent children from being in the system,” May said. “I don’t want to just be a babysitter because anybody can babysit. I want to develop kids.” Now thanks to Women’s Foundation of Alabama’s (WFA) Advancing Alabama Childcare Accelerator, May’s vision is being realized. Her daycare, Little Royalties Child Development Center, is set to open in mid-September. May is one of 12 members of the first cohort of this program, which is led by WFA in partnership with the United Way of Central Alabama and its Early Learning Acceleration Initiative and support from Childcare Resources and ASL Creative Strategies. With financial support from the partners, participants are awarded grants to help with the launch of their centers. The brainchild of Zhaundra C. Jones, Vice President of Philanthropy and Learning at WFA, the accelerator is an...