Michele Barksdale, Guide

I have lived in Solon for almost 15 years with my husband, Ed, of 30 years. We have 4 adult children who are now either in post graduate school or professional careers. Prior to moving to Cleveland we lived in Pittsburgh for 13 years and Cincinnati for 2 years. I am originally from Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In my previous life, I worked for Fidelity Investments in Boston and Cincinnati as a stock broker/retirement manager. I have been extensively involved in the Solon community since arriving: room parent, team mom, Academic Booster member, Athletic Booster member, various PTA positions including PTA president and most recently elected to the Solon School Board. I presently am a board member of Solon Benevolent Fund and Womensafe (shelter for domestic violence victims ) I am also a co-pres of the Alliance of Black Families of Solon. I am a member of two National organizations The Links Inc and The Girlfriends.

I love to read, bowl and line dance. My family and I are members of The Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland. My husband is Chief of Pediatric Surgery at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.