Racial Equity Resources for Early Childhood

This page serves as a hub for resources and guidance on racial justice and equity issues that connect to early childhood. It is not comprehensive. We will continue to add and update this page.

If you have a specific resource, opportunity, or update to share, please email Helen Shum at helen@childinst.org.

Advocacy & Thought Leadership

RESOURCES
Kali Thorne Ladd on OPB discussing why it's important to talk to children about the protests and what’s behind them. Ladd is the co-founder of KairosPDX, a public charter school focused on eliminating racial achievement and opportunity disparities.
Campaign Zero works to end police brutality in America through research-proven strategies
Color of Change works to make government more responsive to racial disparities
Open letter from Marcus Mundy, executive director of Coalition of Communities of Color
Statement from the Urban League of PDX
Prioritizing equity in teaching and hiring practices, an opinion piece in the Oregonian from Stand for Children's executive director, Toya Fick
"Fighting Racism: Working For Equitable Outcomes For Young Children And Their Families." Statement from the Build Initiative.
"Our role in this moment," written for the City Club by Board of Governors member, Danielle Pacifico-Cogan (formerly of Children's Institute) offers important historical context and resources.

All Learning Resources

B	A
RESOURCE \| Use the arrows on the far right of this table to sort by type.	TYPE \| CR= Classroom Resource GR= General Resource PR= Parent Resource)
HIGHLIGHTS AND RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH LINK. This year’s Crane Center Symposium for Children will dive deep into anti-bias and anti-racist practices for early childhood settings, led by renowned researchers and practitioners in this field, including CI's own Senior Education Advisor, Soobin Oh.	GR, CR
Join Multnomah County Library for a virtual 3-part series with early childhood ed experts to learn about children's books that connect to the Black experience + reading strategies that promote language development + engagment. Thursdays @6:30 beginning Oct. 22.	GR, CR, PR
For those seeking children's performers/activists who use their talents to advance understanding of equity and celebrate diversity. Chillin', a native Portlander, is a Black poet, storyteller, and author of children's books. Habiba, originally from Ghana, offers African storytelling and dance and drum workshops (West African & Afro-Cuban) Both are eager to collaborate on projects geared towards children, particularly for children from BIPOC communities, and those who seek additional exposure to BIPOC communities. Available for birthday parties, community celebrations, protests (and much more).	CR, GR, PR
Creating Anti-Racist Early Childhood spaces, presents strategies for creating an anti-racist environment to promote the development of healthy racial identities. [Recorded Webinar is here.]	CR, GR, PR
Embrace Race, founded in early 2016 by two parents who set out to create the community and gather the resources needed to meet the challenges they face raising children in a world where race matters.	CR, GR, PR
Threads of Justice Collective : Bringing together representatives of communities facing specific struggles. Providing education, awareness and strategies for people in dominant groups to become allies for social and economic change.	GR, CR, PR
Anti Bias Leaders in Early Education resource page.	GR, CR
Kali Thorne Ladd on OPB discussing why it's important to talk to children about the protests and what’s behind them. Ladd is the co-founder of KairosPDX, a public charter school focused on eliminating racial achievement and opportunity disparities.	CR, GR, PR
June 18. Book launch event for 'Antiracist Baby' with author Ibram X. Kendi and Dereka Purnell. Registration required for this pay-what you-can online event.	GR, PR
June 9. American Public Health Association begins its webinar series, "Racism, the ultimate underlying condition," exploring health equity. APHA membership required.	GR
From NPR: 'Raising White Kids' author on how white parents can talk about race. (7 minute-listen with transcript.)	PR
Guide from Zero to Three: Racism and Violence: Using Your Power as a Parent to Support Children Aged Two to Five	PR
Black Lives Matter at School, a national coaltion created an anti-racist curriculum guide with English/language arts, math, social studies, and arts materials. The guide has lessons for early childhood through high school students that align with the principles of the Black Lives Matter movement.	CR
Education Week offers a set of classroom resources for discussing racism, policing, and protest.	CR
A wealth of equity-focused resources from NAEYC.	CR
Reading is Resistance. Portland-based effort to support kids reading for social justice/anti bias	CR, PR
New York Times book List and other resources for kids	CR, PR
CNN & Sesame Street Workshop's Town Hall on Racism	CR, PR
Are your kids too young to talk about race? Great infographic.	CR, PR
A resource for adults talking with children about race and racism from Raising Race Conscious Children.	CR, PR
How white parents can talk about race. NPR	PR
People's Plan from the Portland African American Leadership Forum (PAALF)	GR
Resolutions Northwest timeline of Oregon's racial and education history	GR
Racism, the ultimate underlying condition. Health Equity	GR
The Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington DC's early childhood page, including resources and guidance.	GR

CR= Classroom Resource
GR= General Resource
PR= Parent Resource

Classroom & Parent Resources

B
RESOURCE
HIGHLIGHTS AND RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH LINK. This year’s Crane Center Symposium for Children will dive deep into anti-bias and anti-racist practices for early childhood settings, led by renowned researchers and practitioners in this field, including CI's own Senior Education Advisor, Soobin Oh.
Join Multnomah County Library for a virtual 3-part series with early childhood ed experts to learn about children's books that connect to the Black experience + reading strategies that promote language development + engagment. Thursdays @6:30 beginning Oct. 22.
For those seeking children's performers/activists who use their talents to advance understanding of equity and celebrate diversity. Chillin', a native Portlander, is a Black poet, storyteller, and author of children's books. Habiba, originally from Ghana, offers African storytelling and dance and drum workshops (West African & Afro-Cuban) Both are eager to collaborate on projects geared towards children, particularly for children from BIPOC communities, and those who seek additional exposure to BIPOC communities. Available for birthday parties, community celebrations, protests (and much more).
Creating Anti-Racist Early Childhood spaces, presents strategies for creating an anti-racist environment to promote the development of healthy racial identities. Recorded Webinar
Embrace Race, founded in early 2016 by two parents who set out to create the community and gather the resources needed to meet the challenges they face raising children in a world where race matters.
Threads of Justice Collective : Bringing together representatives of communities facing specific struggles. Providing education, awareness and strategies for people in dominant groups to become allies for social and economic change.
Anti Bias Leaders in Early Education resource page.
Kali Thorne Ladd on OPB discussing why it's important to talk to children about the protests and what’s behind them. Ladd is the co-founder of KairosPDX, a public charter school focused on eliminating racial achievement and opportunity disparities.
Black Lives Matter at School, a national coaltion created an anti-racist curriculum guide with English/language arts, math, social studies, and arts materials. The guide has lessons for early childhood through high school students that align with the principles of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Education Week offers a set of classroom resources for discussing racism, policing, and protest.
A wealth of equity-focused resources from NAEYC.
Reading is Resistance. Portland-based effort to support kids reading for social justice/anti bias
New York Times book List and other resources for kids
CNN & Sesame Street Workshop's Town Hall on Racism
Are your kids too young to talk about race? Great infographic.
A resource for adults talking with children about race and racism from Raising Race Conscious Children.

Events & Webinars

	B
DATE	EVENT
October 22, November 19, December 22, 2020	Join Multnomah County Library for a virtual 3-part series with early childhood ed experts to learn about children's books that connect to the Black experience + reading strategies that promote language development + engagment. Thursdays @6:30 beginning Oct. 22.
	For those seeking children's performers/activists who use their talents to advance understanding of equity and celebrate diversity. Chillin', a native Portlander, is a Black poet, storyteller, and author of children's books. Habiba, originally from Ghana, offers African storytelling and dance and drum workshops (West African & Afro-Cuban) Both are eager to collaborate on projects geared towards children, particularly for children from BIPOC communities, and those who seek additional exposure to BIPOC communities. Available for birthday parties, community celebrations, protests (and much more).
Oct 2, 2020	HIGHLIGHTS AND RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH LINK. This year’s Crane Center Symposium for Children will dive deep into anti-bias and anti-racist practices for early childhood settings, led by renowned researchers and practitioners in this field, including CI's own Senior Education Advisor, Soobin Oh.
7.27.20	Alliance for Early Success' offers a deep dive discussion on how racism drives Black infant and maternal mortality. Led by Dr. Joia Crear Perry, founder and president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative.
June 18, 2020	June 18. Book launch event for 'Antiracist Baby' with author Ibram X. Kendi and Dereka Purnell. Registration required for this pay-what you-can online event.
June 17, 2020	Creating Anti-Racist Early Childhood spaces, presents strategies for creating an anti-racist environment to promote the development of healthy racial identities. Recorded Webinar
June 9, 2020	American Public Health Association begins its webinar series, "Racism, the ultimate underlying condition," exploring health equity. APHA membership required.
June 8, 2020	CNN & Sesame Street's town hall on racism.

Latest News

Building Relationships and Community through Storytelling, with Dr. Johnny Lake

This week, host Rafael Otto speaks with Dr. Johnny Lake, an international consultant and trainer on community-building, equity, diversity and leadership with a focus on what youth need, and what our education systems need to better serve students and young people.

Celeste Yager-Kandle | Oct 11, 2021

Cultivating Genius: A Conversation with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad

In this episode, host Rafael Otto speaks with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, whose research has focused on the social and historical foundations of literacy in Black communities and how literacy development can be re-conceptualized in classrooms today.

Rafael Otto | Oct 7, 2021

Parent Advocacy, SB 236 and Changing the way we Talk About Young Children

On this episode of The Early Link Podcast, host Rafael Otto speaks with Andrew Yoshihara, who is a member of Black Child Development PDX and founder and executive director of Bustin’ Barriers, a nonprofit organization that serves kids with disabilities. He is also a parent advocate and has been involved with legislative advocacy in 2021.

Rafael Otto | Jul 21, 2021

No Such Thing as a Bad Preschooler: An Interview with Dalia Avello

On this episode of The Early Link Podcast, host Rafael Otto speaks with guest Dalia Avello. Dalia serves on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Montessori Association, trained as a psychologist, is a certified Montessori teacher, and has expertise in the Education and International Development fields.

Rafael Otto | Jul 15, 2021

ESS Early Learning Academy: Supporting Transitions through an Anti-Bias Lens

“I think we need to change our view of parents from being 'extra work for teachers' to 'assets to the classroom community'," said one attendee of last week's Early Learning Academy, which brought together district teams from around the state to examine their...

Ashley Walker | Jul 2, 2021

ESS Early Learning Academy: School Transitions with an Anti-Bias Lens

As Oregon schools prepare to move into the fall of 2021, the Early School Success team at CI is planning its first ever Early Learning Academy, inviting district teams from around the state to examine educational transitions through an anti-bias lens, with a focus...

Ashley Walker | Jun 9, 2021

Heart-Wrenching Discovery at Kamloops Indian Residential School Reminds Us that Current Systems Were Built on Oppression

Photo courtesy of Mack Male: Memorial at Alberta Legislature A statement from Karen Twain, Interim President & CEO Late last week, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation in British Columbia, Canada...

Karen Twain | Jun 3, 2021

No Such Thing as a Bad Preschooler: Dalia Avello on Senate Bill 236 and the Dangers of Misrepresentation in Early Childhood

Dalia Avello, MA, IMH-E, serves on the board of Directors of the Oregon Montessori Association. She trained as a psychologist, is a certified Montessori teacher, has expertise in the education and international development fields, and has the Endorsement®...

CI Guest | May 28, 2021

Video Series Highlights Importance of High-Quality Inclusion

Despite ample research showing that high-quality inclusive settings support children's learning and development, children with disabilities are still not reliably included in many preschool programs. In fact, there has been virtually no improvement in this area...

Ashley Walker | May 28, 2021