National Black Child Development Institute

TODAY on #Give828, invest in NBCDI—the only national organization solely dedicated to enhancing the lives of Black children, pre-birth through age 8. This is your opportunity to contribute to a Black-led and Black-benefiting organization. Your donation fuels critical initiatives and movements that advocate for and empower over 1.5 million Black children across the Nation! Donate now! Share with your networks and on social media! Be sure to tag @nbcdi so we can celebrate your contribution!

Congratulations to #PublicVoicesFellow, Andrew Grant-Thomas, who had his work published in VISIBLE Magazine! Andrew’s article, “The U.S. is coming apart at the racial seams. We can help our children knit it together” explores meaningful change in racial relations across the country starting with young children and the learning of race. Read more about how we can change the framing of race for a brighter future for all, here: https://bit.ly/4dwPY38 Public Voices on Racial Justice and Early Childhood is a program of NBCDI in partnership with The OpEd Project.

NBCDI’s VP of Movement Building and Strategy, Terrance M. McKinley, recently attended the 5th Annual Critical Race Theory (CRT) Summer School hosted by The African American Policy Forum. This year’s theme, “Freedom Summer 2024: No U-Turn on Racial Justice,” addressed how the “war on woke” is, in reality, a war on Black knowledge, history and other marginalized communities. Throughout the week-long event in Nashville, TN, Rev. McKinley joined the discussions on the importance of centering racial justice and antiracism as essential to building and sustaining strong progressive coalitions. The first eight years of a child’s life set the foundation for their health, safety and overall well-being. Our Eight Essential Outcomes provide a framework for Black child development from birth through age eight. Thank you, Rev. McKinley, for your commitment to advocating for Black children and families!

Back to school season is in session, and for Black children across the country, it is sometimes not as joyous as it should be. Discipline statistics for Black boys and girls tell a troubling story. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights reports “Black boys are 19% of preschool but 52% of suspensions”. In this article, Dr. Erik Hines explores how the adultification of Black children is affecting their experiences in school. At NBCDI, we believe all Black children deserve to be seen and treated as a child. As we enter this coming school year, let us use Dr. Hines’ resources and reflections on how to address this systemic issue through advocacy for our children. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3YSjhII

🗳️ NBCDI envisions a world where every Black child starts life healthy, beginning with Black mothers having access to reproductive health care. Across the country, 61% of Black women who have given birth in the last 12 months gave birth in states that have abortion bans and/or restrictions since the Supreme Court’s decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. These bans disproportionately impact expectant Black mothers who are faced with fleeting resources and limited maternity care. The disparate impact of current reproductive health policy must be addressed, and it can be at the ballot. In more than a dozen states, voters will be deciding on abortion measures in November. Help address this injustice by using your voice and registering to vote here: https://bit.ly/3SWLaM1

At the 2024 Climate & Sustainability Leadership Summit, our very own Leah Austin, EdD, President and CEO, will address this pressing issue in her session titled "Climate Change and Its Impact on Black Childhood." This session is not just an exploration of the problem; it is a strategic call to action that underscores the imperative of integrating environmental justice with racial equity. Dr. Austin will bring the unique perspective of Black children and families to this important discussion and emphasize the importance of Black children being centered in climate change solutions. We are excited and grateful to add value and voice to this issue on behalf of Black children in our Nation. #NBCDI #ClimateIssues #ClimateAndSustainability

Ultra-processed foods are fueling a nationwide epidemic of addiction, with chips, breakfast cereals, and ice cream being just the beginning. The health risks are mounting and Black communities are disproportionately affected, facing a higher risk of developing harmful dependencies. This crisis is more than a health issue, but a social justice challenge as well. With barriers to accessing nutritious foods, we must ensure that all children have access to culturally relevant foods that provide them with the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. Read more about the issue here: https://bit.ly/4dldYWy

We are proud to highlight the work of Demi Siskind, PhD, a #PublicVoicesFellow of NBCDI in partnership with The OpEd Project! Published in TheFulcrum.US, Demi’s article, “Both parties need to commit to better policies for child care,” emphasizes the bipartisan opportunity to meaningfully prioritize early #childcare and #educationpolicy in the upcoming election. Demi highlights the need for access to high-quality early care for the lifelong development of all young children, especially among those living in marginalized communities. Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3yCUUUG

August is #BlackPhilanthropyMonth, a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of Black philanthropists who drive meaningful change and impact in our communities. Everyone can be a philanthropist, tell us about the Black-led organizations you support with your time and treasure and how they’re making a difference! We are committed to being fierce advocates for the essential resources that our children need to grow and thrive. Together, we can shape a brighter future. To invest in the future of Black children visit: https://bit.ly/47s3Tnx

Only one day left to vote in the #PanelPicker for SXSW EDU 2025! NBCDI has an incredible opportunity to discuss the ethical complexities of AI and its impact on the education of Black children. Our national president and CEO Leah Austin, EdD, alongside educators, nonprofit leaders and tech experts, will be included on the panel. Watch our proposal video here: https://bit.ly/46tgUOe #PanelPicker voting is open until tomorrow, Aug. 18. Sign up to create an account and vote TODAY for the 2025 #SXSWEDU panelists at: https://lnkd.in/eAYv9RCd