Dr. Barbara J. Shade

1933 – April 21, 2025

Dr. Barbara J. Shade was born in 1933 and raised in the small town of Junction City, Kansas. As a young teenager, she met the man who would later become her husband at a church convention. Their paths crossed again in college, leading to a marriage that lasted 42 years. Together, they raised three children and lived in various locations before settling in Wisconsin, where they resided for 35 years.

Barbara was a distinguished educator who held a Bachelor of Science in Business Education, a Master of Science in Educational Psychology, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. Her career in academia culminated as Dean of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside, where her work focused on psychological foundations and urban education.

She developed pioneering courses that explored African American educational goals, personality development, and cultural dimensions of learning. As a respected urban education consultant, she worked with numerous school districts and authored influential articles and book chapters on the impact of culture on the cognitive and learning styles of African American children. Her work offered vital insights for teachers and helped shape more inclusive and culturally responsive educational practices.

Dr. Shade received multiple educational research grants and earned widespread recognition for her contributions. She served as Executive Director of Dane County Head Start in Madison, Wisconsin, and was a member of the State Superintendent’s Task Force to restructure teacher education. Her leadership extended nationally through her roles on the Minority Planning Committees of the American Psychological Association, and she was a frequent presenter at national seminars and workshops. She also served as a reviewer for the Journal of Black Psychology and several other academic publications. Her expertise allowed her to travel the world as a consultant.

Beyond academia, Dr. Shade was active in her community, serving on numerous boards including United Way and St. Mary’s Hospital and Medical Center in Wisconsin. She was honored with several awards, including the Alumni Meritorious Achievement Award from Pittsburg State University. In Las Vegas, she served as President of the Southern Nevada Coalition of Concerned Women. A Lifetime Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she retired in Las Vegas for 22 years before moving to Belleair, Florida, to live with her youngest child.

Dr. Shade passed peacefully on April 21, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Shade. She is survived by her children: Christina, Kenneth (Yolonda), and Patricia (Robert); grandchildren: Kenneth Jr., Brian (Jessica), Jason (Simona), Destiny, Janan, Robby, and Zoe; and great-grandchildren: Dallas, Arya, Riley, Gianna, Paul, and Camden. She is also lovingly remembered by her grand-puppies, Brian and Sheldon, as well as a large extended family and countless friends.

Dr. Barbara J. Shade will be dearly missed by all who knew her. She was a force for thought, change, and compassion—a woman who challenged those around her to think deeply and live purposefully.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 21st at 11:00 AM at Mt. Olive AME Church in Clearwater, Florida, and will also be livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page.