Inspiring Conversations with L’ Shawn Howard of Family Learning Center, Inc

Today we’d like to introduce you to L’ Shawn Howard.

Hi L’ Shawn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Most of the major decisions in my life have been guided by a desire to understand the human condition and help improve it. I began my career in education, drawn to the power of language and self-expression. After earning my degree in English, I worked at the Family Learning Center—my mother’s nonprofit—where I coordinated a mentorship program for youth. That experience showed me the deep impact of community-based education and planted the seed for my lifelong commitment to service.

Soon after, I joined the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program and spent three transformative years teaching in rural Yamagata. I returned to Colorado for my master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, then moved back to Japan to teach at universities and language schools for over a decade. My focus was always on making learning meaningful, helping students use English to express who they were and expand their worldviews.

As my passion for motivation and mindset deepened, I discovered coaching—a field that aligned perfectly with my desire to help others grow. Around that same time, my daughter was diagnosed with ADHD, and navigating her education abroad made me realize how vital supportive systems are for neurodivergent children. Those experiences inspired a major life change.

After enduring several family losses, I returned to Colorado in 2021 to be closer to my family and reconnected with the Family Learning Center. What began as helping with operations soon reignited my sense of purpose. In 2022, I became Assistant Director, and I’m now training to become the Executive Director. Every day, I’m reminded that this is where my work comes full circle—empowering children and families to change the world through education and opportunity.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but each challenge has shaped who I am and how I lead today. One of the biggest struggles was balancing a growing career abroad with the needs of my family. While teaching in Japan, my older child was diagnosed with ADHD, and we quickly discovered that the education system there offered very limited support for neurodivergent students. Advocating for her while navigating language and cultural barriers was incredibly difficult, and it forced me to reevaluate my priorities and career path.

Later, a series of personal losses—including the deaths of my brother and father within six weeks of each other—brought a new layer of grief and urgency to be closer to family. When we finally returned to Colorado in 2021, the transition was challenging: rebuilding our lives after nearly two decades abroad, restarting my career, and helping my mother stabilize her nonprofit after key staff departures.

Those years taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of community. Each obstacle pushed me to grow in compassion and adaptability—qualities that now guide my work at the Family Learning Center as I help families navigate their own challenges and pursue brighter futures.

As you know, we’re big fans of Family Learning Center, Inc. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Family Learning Center (FLC) is a nonprofit organization that has served Boulder and the surrounding communities for more than four decades. Our mission is to empower children and families to change the world by providing impactful educational opportunities from early childhood to adulthood. We believe that education is the most powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting change, and our programs are designed to nurture the whole child and strengthen the entire family.

We offer a continuum of services that meet families where they are—preschool for three- and four-year-olds, after-school tutoring and enrichment for school-age students, and family development programs that foster connection, wellness, and lifelong learning. Many of the families we serve are low-income and culturally diverse, and we take pride in creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child and caregiver feels seen, valued, and supported.

What sets us apart is our holistic, relationship-based approach. We don’t just provide education; we build trust, community, and belonging. Our staff and volunteers work closely with families to ensure that children thrive not only academically, but socially and emotionally as well. We partner with local schools, universities, and community organizations to address barriers and ensure equitable access to opportunity.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the Family Learning Center’s legacy of hope and resilience. Even as federal and local funding has shifted and community needs have grown, we’ve remained steadfast in our commitment to serve every child and family with compassion, excellence, and integrity. Our brand stands for possibility—showing that when children and families are given the right tools and support, they can transform their lives and, in turn, their communities.

More than anything, I want readers to know that the Family Learning Center is more than a place—it’s a community. Every program, every meal served, every moment of learning is an investment in a brighter, more equitable future for all.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My advice is to stay curious, take risks, and step outside your comfort zone. Growth rarely happens where things feel easy or familiar. When you challenge your assumptions and reach beyond your usual circles, you open yourself up to meaningful connections and unexpected opportunities.

For example, during my time in the 2025 Boulder County Leadership Fellows program, I made a point of meeting a different fellow for coffee or lunch each month. At first, I found myself gravitating toward people who were most like me—those who felt approachable or familiar. But one of our sessions on bias challenged me to connect with those I found harder to approach. I reached out to a fellow who was quiet and tended to stay within her group. Over coffee, I discovered that she spoke fluent Japanese, and we bonded instantly. Despite our differences in age, race, and background, we became great friends.

That experience reminded me that mentors and allies can come from the most unexpected places. When you lead with curiosity and openness, you not only expand your network—you expand your world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flcboulder.org
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lshawnhoward?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bu6IFBAxeSI65A0Lah5T9cg%3D%3D