By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
A 4 Apple Learning Center recently announced the appointment of Keisha Credit as their new Program Manager of Development.
Credit brings 10 years of experience in helping businesses start as well as helping businesses scale for the future. With a resume deeply rooted in business development and digital marketing, A 4 Apple Learning Center co-owner Appollonia Washington, affectionately known as “Apple”, believes Credit’s passion for her community and its members, her talents in business development, and her previous endeavors perfectly align with the mission of the learning center.
“I’m excited to be working at A 4 Apple and with Apple,” says Credit. “I’ve been a full-time entrepreneur now, literally growing businesses and starting businesses and working with hundreds of other CEOs to grow their businesses and I really wanted to dive down and have an impact right here in our community.”
“Apple and I both grew in the CD. We both share very, very strong values in education and our babies’ futures,” adds Credit, who has a young child of her own.
A native of Seattle, Credit is a graduate of Garfield High School, and holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and sociology and a Master’s of Entrepreneurship from the University of Washington.
“I’m coming in to assist with growth in the organization,” says Credit. “The A for Apple Learning Center has been around now for almost 40 years because her mother established A for Apple. And so, we’re continuing a vision that was established long before us and that takes a lot of work.”
“I’ve grown and scaled million-dollar companies and it’s not easy,” continued Credit. “You have to have a specific strategy and have a true understanding of how to scale. I think most people may want to start a business, but scaling is a whole different process.”
According to Washington, A 4 Apple Learning Center’s enrollment is at capacity and has a waiting list for new enrollees. With a track record of successful outcomes, the organization is looking to expand in order to serve more families in the community, and Washington believes that Credit’s experience will be an excellent resource as the organization continues to grow and build capacity.
“We are now serving the community at a greater capacity,” says Washington. “Right now, we are currently full, full enrollment, fully staffed and so we want to grow that. We have a waiting list right now and I don’t want to turn away families. I often see it on social media, where people say ‘Gosh, I wish there were more A 4 Apples’ and that’s what time it is. Let’s bring more A 4 Apples to the inner city where quality care is given. So that’s what we’re doing, and Keisha brings that experience.”
With expansion on the horizon, Washington felt the need to delegate some authority, add employment to the economic viability of the community, and relieve some of the stress associated with building a business, and Credit checks all the boxes on the wish list that the company would like to see in this new role.
“A 4 Apple Learning Center is in the process of growth and for my first expansion project I took on a lot of tasks, I wanted to make sure that this time or this round that I was able to not feel as stressed and there are people within the community that are great at certain tasks as well as having gifts and talents, so why not bring them in as part of the team?” says Washington.
“It’ll be less stressful for myself as well as I am bringing employment within the community,” Washington adds. “So yeah, I thought Keisha would be a great addition and it’s been great, it’s been a great first week so far.”
Credit says that the expansion of A for Apple is a shared vision of what early learning centers will look like in the future as they expand the number of ready and able young scholars that they help prepare for the world.
“[We’re looking to expand into] areas where we can really serve our community,” says Credit. “Their new center on 23rd and Jackson is already at capacity. And so, it’s time to think about what’s the next phase and vision, and they’re already getting me started on that.”