Her Story
About Lenise
Lenise Parker is a licensed in-home childcare provider, early childhood advocate, and business owner with over a decade of experience dedicated to nurturing children and strengthening families. As the founder and owner of MiMi's Home Away from Home Nursery in Lebanon, Tennessee, she provides high-quality early learning experiences for up to seven children, developing curriculum aligned with Tennessee Early Learning Development Standards while fostering safe, loving environments where children can grow socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Holding an Associate of Applied Science from High Tech Institute, a Child Development Associate credential, and certifications in Family and Group Childcare, Lenise brings a well-rounded educational foundation to her work. Her background is further enriched by her prior experience in the medical field — having worked in both the operating room and labor and delivery — before fully committing her career to early childhood education following her relocation from Louisiana to Tennessee after Hurricane Katrina.
Beyond her work as a provider, Lenise is a passionate advocate whose influence extends well beyond the walls of her nursery. She serves as the Tennessee State Representative for the National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC), champions provider rights and policy reform as a member of the BCDI Policy and Advocacy Board, and participates actively in both the NAACP Lebanon Chapter and Community Child Care Change Makers. Recognized as a Featured Influential Woman for 2026 and endorsed through AIMHiTN in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, she is also currently pursuing advanced training in trauma-informed care — a field she is working to expand through the launch of her own non-profit organization aimed at bringing trauma-informed education to providers and communities nationwide.
Lenise's approach to both her profession and personal life is rooted in honesty, communication, and transparency — values she believes are the cornerstone of any meaningful relationship. She is a firm believer in the power of community and collaboration, often emphasizing that no one achieves lasting success alone. Guided by a deep sense of purpose and a commitment to uplifting those around her, she continues to push forward despite systemic challenges such as significant state funding cuts that affect providers across Tennessee. For Lenise, the reward lies in the profound impact that quality, trauma-aware, and mentally healthy early childhood environments have on the trajectory of young lives — and she shows no signs of slowing down in her mission to make that impact felt on a national scale.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lenise
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having a strong and dependable support system. Without a great team behind you, lasting success is simply not possible. As women, we often feel the pressure to take on everything ourselves — but that is not sustainable. I have learned the importance of delegating, recognizing the strengths of those around me, and allowing each person to contribute their skills toward a common goal. When we come together with that shared purpose, the impact is far greater than anything we could achieve alone.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My greatest advice is to never give up. There are moments when the system feels as though it is designed to make us fail — and in this field, that weight can feel especially heavy. But the work we do in childcare is not only valuable; it is essential to the health and future of our communities. When those moments of doubt arise, I encourage you to tap into your deeper purpose, remember the children and families who depend on you, and keep moving forward. It is hard, but it is absolutely worth it.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The most pressing challenge we face right now is funding. Tennessee lost $44.5 million from the childcare block grant, and those cuts have had a devastating impact on providers across the state. Reduced subsidies make it incredibly difficult for small, family-based programs like mine to hire staff, sustain operations, and still prioritize our own well-being. At the same time, I see a growing opportunity in the expanding recognition of how trauma affects young children. There is real momentum building around trauma-informed care, and I believe we are at a pivotal moment to scale that education and awareness on a national level — which is part of why I am launching my non-profit.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, communication, and transparency are the values I hold most deeply — both professionally and personally. Communication is truly the foundation of every meaningful relationship, whether it is with the families I serve, my colleagues, or the people I love. And transparency goes hand in hand with that. I believe in treating others the way I want to be treated, and I carry that standard into every interaction and every role I hold.
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