It’s National Black Child Development Week!

National Black Child Development Week is an opportunity to uplift Black children, families, and communities while reflecting on the systems and policies that shape children’s daily lives. This week serves as both a celebration of the brilliance, joy, and potential of Black children and a reminder of the collective responsibility we share in creating communities where all children are able to thrive. 

At the Black Child Development Institute of Ohio, we believe in the power of community that leads to meaningful change and support. A lot of our work centers on listening to families, providers, educators, and community members across Ohio. Through community conversations, coalition building, policy and advocacy efforts, and more,  we continue to hear the importance of creating systems rooted in dignity, care, stability, and accountability. Families and communities are clear about what they need, and those experiences should help shape the policies that impact their lives. We also believe that policy should center the lived experiences of the communities that it impacts. 

We invite you to view our policy agenda and initiatives here:  https://www.bcdiohio.org/policyandadvocacy

National Black Child Development Week is also a reminder that supporting Black children and families requires meaningful investment in children, families, educators, and communities. It requires policies that reduce barriers instead of creating additional hardship. It requires recognizing that children’s well-being is connected to the well-being of the families and communities surrounding them.

As we continue recognizing National Black Child Development Week, we invite you to stay engaged with our work this week and beyond. Our collective action and efforts all play an important role in creating communities where children and families are supported and able to thrive.

Looking forward to celebrating National Black Child Development Week? 

Here are five ways to recognize National Black Child Development Week and stay engaged in supporting children and families (this week and every day!):

• Attend a local community conversation, listening session, or community engagement event focused on the experiences of Black children, families, and providers.

  (Check Out Our Events Page) 

• Learn more about policies impacting children and families in Ohio and stay informed about legislation affecting child care, education, housing, maternal health, and family well-being. (Check out Our Policy Agenda) 

• Support community organizations and early childhood programs working directly alongside children and families.

• Amplify the voices and experiences of families, fathers, caregivers, educators, and community members whose perspectives are often missing from policy conversations. This week, we especially encourage fathers and father figures to share their experiences through our fatherhood survey and community engagement efforts.

  (Check Out And Share Our Dad Survey) 

• Become a member of BCDI-Ohio and stay connected to advocacy efforts, community conversations, policy updates, and opportunities to support children and families across Ohio. (Become A Member Here)

  
  

Looking for another way to stay engaged during National Black Child Development Week? 

We invite you to join us for our upcoming child care town halls focused on the experiences of children, families, providers, and communities across Ohio. One town hall will take place in person in Cleveland, and another will be offered virtually to allow community members from across the state to participate! 

These conversations are an opportunity to share experiences, discuss challenges impacting children and families, and continue building toward meaningful change together. Your voice is valuable, and we want you in the room!

In-Person Child Care Town Hall (Cleveland): https://www.mobilize.us/bcdiohio/event/950101/?force_banner=true&share_context=event_details&share_medium=copy_link

Virtual Child Care Town Hall: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sJtBKS0sTxCqV0vxK-jKeA

Our national organization, the National Black Child Development Institute, is also leading a national campaign throughout the week to uplift Black children and families and bring awareness to issues impacting child development and community well-being:

https://www.nbcdi.org/national-black-child-development-week/

You can learn more about upcoming events and ways to stay involved here:  www.bcdiohio.org/events