Melanie Richardson, a distinguished native of New Orleans, is the co-founder and executive director of TrainingGrounds, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering families through early childhood education, parenting support, and workforce skills training. Since co-founding TrainingGrounds in 2016, Melanie has remained steadfast in her mission to provide families with the resources and guidance needed to create high-quality early learning experiences for children from birth to age five. A licensed master social worker, she is deeply committed to creating accessible, preventative programs that equip parents with the tools necessary to foster their children’s development and long-term success. From 1995 to 2013, Melanie’s career in higher education focused on improving graduation rates for first-generation college students, student-athletes, and non-traditional students. In 2010, she was honored as the Most Valuable Staff Member by the Black Student Union at Arkansas State University. Following this, in 2013, Melanie was appointed as the first director of Northlake Youth Academy, a pioneering psychiatric residential treatment facility for adolescents across Louisiana. The facility was the first of its kind in the state, enabling young people to receive critical treatment close to home rather than being sent out of state. This innovative model allowed families to remain engaged and provide vital support as the adolescents navigated their mental health challenges. Under Melanie’s visionary leadership, TrainingGrounds has expanded its reach, making a meaningful impact on families across Louisiana. She has cultivated strong partnerships with community leaders and organizations, maximizing available resources and ensuring that families have access to the support they need to thrive. Melanie is actively engaged in several prominent initiatives focused on advancing early childhood care and education, infant mental health, and diverse leadership. She is a steering committee member for Promise Venture Studio – Early Childhood Leaders of Color and the New Orleans Early Education Network (NOEEN). Additionally, she serves as an advisor for the Parent Leadership Collaborative in Orleans Parish, an Early Adopter Advisor for Early Childhood Support Services in Louisiana, and is a member of the Children’s Cabinet Early Childhood Infant Mental Health Subcommittee. Melanie’s accomplishments have been widely recognized, including being named a 2022 Fellow of the Early Childhood Policy Leadership Institute, a 2023 Fellow of the Volunteers of America Futures Fund Community Health Incubator, and a 2023 Cohort 3 Fellow of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network. In 2025, she joined the W. K. Kellogg Foundation Global Fellows Network. Melanie is deeply committed to collaborative leadership and creating lasting, positive change for families. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Notre Dame and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Melanie is married to Seneca Knight, a third-grade teacher, and together they have one son, Seneca Sean.