Betty Crow Kennedy is a native of Cleveland County, North Carolina. She is a graduate of Shelby High School, Carson-Newman University, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is privileged to make Shelby her “adulthood” home, pursue her career there, and raise her four children. Ms Kennedy’s career in early childhood includes directing a large church-based child development center, directing her local Child Care Resource and Referral agency, and serving as a Regional Programs Manager with the NC CCR&R Council. This career has spanned over 30 years. In her retirement, she has served as Interim Director for our local CCR&R. During this 30+ years, she has been closely involved with the Cleveland County Partnership for Children, early on as an employee and later as a board member. She currently serves on the local Partnership Board and recently chaired the Search Committee that hired the current Executive Director in 2021.

“The evolution of the early childhood system in our state over the past 30 years is nothing less than mind blowing. I am honored to have the opportunity to participate in the work of the North Carolina Partnership for Children as this great work continues to evolve and thrive.”