The EdRedesign Lab

In about a week, our leadership team will be in Miami, FL attending the #PowerOfPlace conference! Regardless of political party affiliation, the outcome of the 2024 election, local context, or our roles in our communities, our field is united by an obligation to create pathways to social and economic mobility for our children and families. This year’s convening will bring together national leaders, practitioners, and policymakers from the public sector, education, philanthropy, and local communities for inspiring conversations and community building to advance the #placebased #cradletocareer field and explore the roles of diverse stakeholders. We are thrilled to be part of this movement, and look forward to participating in this dynamic multi-day program alongside our partner and host Harlem Children's Zone! Stay tuned as we share live updates from the gathering. Harvard University Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard Kennedy School Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative Blue Meridian Partners Ballmer Group Oak Foundation Carnegie Corporation of New York

We were honored to host the inaugural convening for the Fellowship for Cradle-to-Career Partnership Leaders at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The gathering brought together our 22 Fellows, community partners, funders, and Harvard faculty, all committed to transformative, place-based solutions for children, families, and communities. Here are a few highlights and takeaways from the convening: HGSE Interim Dean Nonie Lesaux set an inspiring tone for the Fellowship’s future, emphasizing the importance of continuous innovation in the cradle-to-career place-based movement. Dr. Shadae Harris of Groundwork Consulting shared her expertise on fostering school-community partnerships and deepening family engagement. Dr. Cornell Brooks, Hauser Professor of Nonprofit Organizations and Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School, inspired Fellows with his call for movement leadership: “You are movement leaders called to do movement work. What you have been called to do is radical activity.” His words reminded us that achieving equity for all children and families is at the heart of this work. In a session on Building Your Narrative, Tauheedah Jackson, Ed.M., Gustavo Luna, and Christan Shelton from our team presented the Public Narrative framework as an approach to building and sharing one's story in ways that build trust and solidarity with others in the field. On day two, Prof. Kimberlyn Leary led an engaging session on cross-boundary collaboration, guiding Fellows on distinguishing between adaptive and technical challenges and leveraging leadership at all levels. Cecilia Gutierrez from Blue Meridian Partners and Eshauna Smith from Ballmer Group spoke to the crucial role of public and philanthropic resources in sustaining cradle-to-career initiatives, stressing the power of aligning resources with the needs of children and families. In a subsequent session, Cecilia, Abel Habte, Sara Maranowicz, Antoniya Marinova, and Eshauna Smith helped Fellows practice their pitch and receive real-time feedback to learn how best to make an ask of a funder. We extend our gratitude to our Fellows, funders, partners, and esteemed speakers for making this convening a powerful milestone. Together, we are advancing the cradle-to-career movement, ensuring every child has the support and opportunities they need to thrive. #EdRedesignC2CFellows Denisse Arias Rob Watson Julie Allen Lynne Sacks Harvard University Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative Ballmer Group Oak Foundation Carnegie Corporation of New York Barr Foundation Annie E. Casey Foundation

"To me it feels like a real movement happening of folks articulating the work much more clearly and working hard to build it. We have more clarity now about who is really needed at the table and we have clarity about how everyone will benefit from this work." -Cecilia Gutierrez, Blue Meridian Partners #EdRedesignC2CFellows #CradletoCareer #PlaceBased Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard University Harvard Kennedy School Ballmer Group 

Thank you Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University for hosting the morning session of our convening for Cradle-to-Career Partnership Leader Fellows today! The session kicked off with opening remarks by Keesler Welch, Collaborations Manager at Bloomberg Center for Cities, followed by "Effective Practices for Cross-Boundary Collaboration." Partnership leaders learned about effective practices for cross-boundary collaboration, including distinguishing between adaptive and technical challenges to think through problem-solving, tapping into leadership at different levels, and considering the authorizing environment. Thank you Prof. Kimberlyn Leary, Senior Fellow at Bloomberg Center and Associate Professor at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, for leading this enriching session for our Fellows. #EdRedesignC2CFellows Harvard University Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard Kennedy School Rob Watson Denisse Arias Julie Allen Tauheedah Jackson, Ed.M.

"We are all using structured collaboration, we're thinking big, thinking holistically. Continue to think in a systems way and you will have a strong community supporting you throughout your work." - Richard Raya, CEO, Marin Promise Partnership, and By All Means Senior Fellow, The EdRedesign Lab #EdRedesignC2CFellows Harvard University Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard Kennedy School Mission Economic Development Agency

Kicking off Day 2 of our Convening for our Cradle-to-Career Partnership Leader Fellows! Starting off with Lynne Sacks and our By All Means Senior Fellow Richard Raya presenting the case study "Pivoting for Impact," detailing how the Mission Economic Development Agency took strategic steps to propel its growth. Leaders will have an opportunity to consider key lessons and implications for their own work. #EdRedesignC2CFellows Harvard University Harvard Graduate School of Education Purpose Built Communities Mission Promise Neighborhood Harvard Kennedy School Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Rob Watson Denisse Arias

"We cannot ask people to do things that we're not willing to do ourselves. How are we meeting and modeling a way that fosters credibility, builds trust, and creates meaningful connections? This work is about relationships." - Christan Shelton, Cross-Sector Leadership Advisor, EdRedesign #EdRedesignC2CFellows Harvard University Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard Kennedy School Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Gustavo Luna Tauheedah Jackson, Ed.M. Denisse Arias

"Success planning provides an entry point for us to address disparities in our communities and inform decision-makers and policymakers to make the right decisions for young people and families." -Tauheedah Jackson, Ed.M., Deputy Director and Director of the Institute for Success Planning, EdRedesign #EdRedesignC2CFellows Harvard University Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard Kennedy School Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative

"We have to have a compelling why and that why needs to be morally ambitious. Your work has to be cast as a morally ambitious endeavor." #DrCornellBrooks #EdRedesignC2CFellows Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard Divinity School Harvard University

"You are movement leaders called to do movement work. What you have been called to do is radical activity." #DrCornellBrooks, Hauser Professor of the Practice of Nonprofit Organizations, and Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership and Social Justice at Harvard Kennedy School #EdRedesignC2CFellows Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard Divinity School Harvard University