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Biography

Ayanna Crawford is a dedicated public servant and community advocate committed to empowering Springfield, Massachusetts. A proud graduate of Springfield Central High School, she has spent over 25 years fostering growth through education, civic leadership, and entrepreneurship.

She currently serves as Staff Director for State Representative Orlando Ramos, managing legislative priorities and constituent services. A former educator, Ayanna also served in the Springfield Public Schools and as an adjunct professor at Springfield Technical Community College. In 2025, she was recognized as one of BusinessWest’s Women of Impact and honored as a Fearless Women awardee in partnership with Symphony Hall.

Ayanna supports nonprofits and small businesses through strategic public relations and marketing. She is the founder of the Women in Business Club of Western Massachusetts, a networking and mentorship group dedicated to scaling women-owned enterprises.

Her advocacy for families and youth includes:

• Parent Villages: Co-founder of a nonprofit supporting families in navigating educational and social resources.
• “It’s Your Turn to Take the Mic”: A signature public speaking program empowering youth with leadership and communication skills.
• Board Service: Active on boards including Wellspring Cooperative, Behavioral Health Network (BHN), and the American Service Alliance.

Ayanna holds a Bachelor of Arts from Westfield State University and a Master of Education from Springfield College. In honor of her mother’s legacy, she founded the Sylvia Barksdale Wilson Scholarship in Nursing Brunch, providing financial support to aspiring healthcare professionals.

Through her career, Ayanna remains a steadfast champion for equity, education, and economic opportunity in Western Massachusetts. She also has a grandson that currently attends Springfield Public Schools.