Shanay Fulton

am a Fordham University graduate with my B.S. in Fashion Design and Business, and currently a graduate student in the Master of Public Administration program at University of New Haven. I am a New York City native, having been a resident of Connecticut for 12 years, residing in Meriden for 5 years prior to relocating to Middletown’s North End in 2015. I am currently a new homeowner in the Westfield section of town with my children.
While residing in Middletown I began employment as a paraprofessional for Middletown Public Schools before becoming a Family Resource Specialist at Macdonough Elementary. Both roles allowed me to serve on the School’s Governance Committees, engage in community events and partner with Dr. Conner on the Strategic Plan. I took this operational and community development mindset and applied it to my career within government.
My political career was spurred from my own personal experiences as a victim of Domestic Violence, who experienced Homelessness, Hunger and Workforce issues. I took these experiences and became an advocate within my community, starting with Women & Child Advocacy, Housing and Legal Matters. Alongside my employment with Middletown Public Schools, I served as a Youth Director for North End Action Team, which helped youth, some of which were LGBTQ with Domestic Violence, Homelessness and Housing matters. I have
partnered with numerous municipal, regional and statewide initiatives on Homelessness, Hunger, Housing, and Workforce Development. Previously serving as the Community Development Director for Middletown Green Community Center (Formerly Green Street Arts Center), a graduate of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce’s Sidestreet To Main Street Business Leadership Program, a member of NAACP-Middlesex Chapter, Middletown Racial Justice Coalition and the Middlesex Immigration Rights Alliance. This advocacy led me to Volunteer for Representative Quentin Phipps, Senator Matthew Lesser, Senator Mary Abrams and Representative Brandon Chafee in the 2018 and 2020 election cycle.
Currently I am a WIOA Job Seeker Consultant for a Department of Labor subagency located in New Haven and a seasonal Residential Supervisor for Columbus Houses’ Warming Center. In my civic roles, I have participated in legislative testimony on issues surrounding zoning, housing, and domestic violence. I also currently serve as a Middletown Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate, a member of the Middletown Citizens Advisory Council, a member of CT Open Communities Alliance, the Team Lead for the statewide ShopBlackCT initiative which highlights Black Owned Businesses, as a member of the Governor’s Workforce Council, as Co-Chair of the Workforce Subgroup for the CT 2Gen Initiative under the Commission of Women, Children and Seniors, as Co-Chair of Middletown Works, the Vice President of the Russell Library, a member of the Middlesex MLK Scholarship Committee and as Vice Chair of Children in Placement, New Haven Chapter.
While on the Commission, I have been a part of approvals of developments and the city’s Plan of Conservation & Development process. My vision for Middletown is to have adequate and affordable housing, ensure that our zoning codes and laws are equitable for all; particularly people of color who are at a greater disadvantage as it relates to housing matters, ensure we have more approvals for developers of color, and create job opportunities within Middletown. Middletown is on the rise as a place to live and thrive and I would love to continue the work that we as a Commission have already started.
I have a proven track record of execution as it relates to community development. My extensive knowledge in the public and non-profit sector, laws and regulations, and leadership skills make me a great fit for a full and vocal seat on the Commission. As a mother and woman of color, those factors will remain the impetus for why I choose to maintain a role in public service and serve my community.