Chinayera Black Hardaman, MPA, has committed her career to enhancing services and systems that target young children and communities. Mrs. Hardaman began her career in public service as lead staff for a variety of Committees, Commissions, and Boards charged to increase safety for children in the Sacramento service system. For the past 21 years she proudly served as the founding Executive Director of First 5 Madera County. In that capacity she was a catalyst in establishing a safety net for young children and their families through advocacy and policy change. Most noteworthy of her accomplishments was leading the development of a network of Family Resource Centers owned and operated by First 5 Madera County. Mrs. Hardaman’s professional expertise includes leadership, board development, strategic planning, grant writing and administration, and public speaking.

Eager to share her practical experience with students interested in a public service career, Mrs. Hardaman also spent time as adjunct faculty for the University of Phoenix. Mrs. Hardaman is a proud graduate of the University of California at Davis (UCD) with a dual bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Rhetoric/Communication. She all attended graduate school at the University of Southern California (USC) where she earned a master’s degree in Public Administration: Policy, Planning, and Development.

Mrs. Hardman is a 12-year Breast Cancer Survivor and former Mrs. Central Valley, 2015. She sits as a Board of Director on the Fresno/Madera CASA. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, AJay (16) and Zamerah (11).