News

June 17, 2020

Parenting in Support of Black Lives | Webinar

Are you interested in hearing practical, how-to advice for talking about race and inspiring kids to fight for racial equity? Join Common Sense and the Inforum of the Commonwealth Club on June 18 for their webinar, “Parenting in Support of Black Lives: How to Build a Just Future for Kids (and How Media Can Help).”

About

Through 400 years of systemic oppression and racism, our nation has failed to protect and value Black children and families. How do we support a future where all children are valued? And when we’re parenting amid crisis and trauma, how can we find support for ourselves and our kids? This conversation will center on these important questions and provide practical, how-to advice for talking about race and inspiring kids to fight for racial equity.

The event will feature Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, leading scholar on race in America, in conversation with child psychologist Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith, moderated by Julie Lythcott-Haims, New York Times bestselling author and activist.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit Common Sense Media’s website.

This event will be recorded and will be available on the Conversations with Common Sense YouTube page.

News

June 4, 2020

Anti-Racism Tools

As caregivers, community members, and early childhood educators, we have a responsibility to ensure each child, family, and caregiver is safe from racism and discrimination and has equitable opportunities to thrive.

In order to do this, we must begin with ourselves. Set aside time in your day to do a personal inventory. What thoughts, feelings, and behaviors have you contributed to upholding systems of racism? What assumptions are you making? What actions or inactions have you taken that contribute to systems of oppression?

Next, consider your family and your friends—what behaviors, statements, or jokes have gone unchecked? What actions or inactions have you taken within your interpersonal relationships that have contributed to an unsafe community for our black and brown children, neighbors, and colleagues? How might you begin to lead by example within your own family or community?

Anti-racism work is something that has to be attended to in an ongoing way. In order to support you in this work, we have compiled the following resources. Note that this list is not exhaustive.

Resources for Adults

Resources for Educators

Resources for Discussing Racism and Violence with Children

Children’s Books

Resources for Social/Emotional Development

News

“I [STILL] can’t breathe”: Supporting kids of color amid racialized violence

Join EmbraceRace on June 5 for their webinar, “‘I [STILL] can’t breathe’: Supporting kids of color amid racialized violence.”

About

Black, Brown, Native, and low-income individuals talk with children about how to interact with police. They file formal complaints against abusive officers, take cellphone videos that go viral, share their stories with media outlets, file lawsuits, and protest with allies at their side. With COVID-19 as a backdrop, some predict a “long, hot summer.” Others see a promising new determination by many white individuals to become a vigorous part of the solution.

In this complicated context, what conversations about policing, violence, safety, justice, and race should parents and caregivers be having with their children of color? Join EmbraceRace on June 5 for that discussion. Questions and insights are encouraged.

Registration

To register, visit the event webpage.

More Information

Please note that this event is high in demand. Those who are unable to get onto Zoom will be direct to the live broadcast on EmbraceRace’s Facebook page. A recording of the event will be available at a later date for those who are unable to attend. For questions, please contact EmbraceRace through their contact form or on Facebook.

News

April 15, 2020

Picture Books Featuring Black and Indigenous People and People of Color

If you are a parent or caregiver who understands the importance of finding picture books that feature Black and Indigenous People and People of Color (BIPOC) – offering children, as Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop phrased it, “mirrors and windows” to the world – it can still be challenging to know how to choose a good book from among what’s increasingly available on the “diverse books” market.

Join EmbraceRace and the founders of Diverse BookFinder on April 28 for their webinar “Choosing ‘Good’ Picture Books Featuring Black and Indigenous People and People of Color” to get their practical advice about how you can move beyond simply avoiding stereotypical portrayals to find great picture books your child is likely to enjoy. Time for questions and book recommendations will be provided.

Registration

To register, visit the event webpage.

*Information provided by EmbraceRace

News

August 15, 2019

PBEOC: Back to School Celebration

Join the Pittsburgh Black Elected Officials Coalition (PBEOC) for their Back to School Celebration!

About

This celebration serves as the sixth in a series of monthly meetings with PBEOC members. At the celebration, members will share highlights on their 2018 activities on behalf of the residents of Pittsburgh, as well as next inclusive steps.

This meeting is intended for residents in Pittsburgh and will feature free school supplies, cash prize giveaways, entertainment, and parent and student resources. Additional resources and opportunities in alignment with the education section of the Pittsburgh Peace and Justice Initiative will be shared with the community.

Registration

Registration for this event is required and can be completed via the Eventbrite page.

More Information

For more information, contact PBEOC via their online form.

News

August 1, 2019

P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festival

Visit the P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festivals and experience fun activities designed to help young Black children learn about and celebrate their race, culture, and heritage. Children ages 3 to 8 will enjoy activity stations designed by trained artists and educators. Families are invited to enjoy free food, performances, art, and music!

Festival Dates

Upcoming festivals will be held at the following locations:

Homewood
Hill District

Questions

For more information, contact Adam Flango at 412.383.8726 or AdamFlango@pitt.edu.

Share this flyer with your network.

News

May 13, 2019

Centering the Identity of the Black Child through African Culture

Join the 2nd Annual Centering the Identity of the Black Child through African Culture conference to explore African-centered parenting and guardianship, psychology, and tools to heal vitality. Child care is provided.

About

Bringing together parents, caregivers, the Association of Black Psychologies, health experts, creatives, and learning leaders, the 2nd Annual Centering the Identity of the Black Child through African Culture conference will highlight health and education as a central focus to optimize energy, development milestones, and success. Attendees can expect to leave the conference with tools to latch onto the high teachings that have been preserved by the knowledge bearers to help families and communities understand the role of African Culture in the development of black children.

Registration

To RSVP, visit the event webpage.

For questions, contact 412.689.2812 or eyberscrae@gmail.com.

News

March 27, 2019

P.R.I.D.E. Seeks Early Educators & Artists for Upcoming Art Festivals

Recently, the Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education program (P.R.I.D.E.) announced a call for submissions to Pittsburgh-based early childhood educators and Africana artists for the P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festivals.

About the Festivals

Modeled after children’s activities offered during the popular Harambee || Black Arts Festivals, P.R.I.D.E. Pop Ups are small, half-day, outdoor art festivals hosted in three Pittsburgh communities: East Liberty, Homewood, and the Hill District. At the festivals, artists and educators engage young children (ages 3 to 8) and their families in hands-on activities. The goal is for adults to use art activities to teach children about their race and culture while building their positive racial identity.

To see important dates and learn more, visit the P.R.I.D.E. website.

Who Can Apply

This call for submissions is open to early educators teaching grades Pre-K to 3rd grade and Africana artists working in the following disciplines: Literature, Performing Arts, Visual Arts & Crafts, and/or Multidisciplinary Arts. Applications are open to early childhood educators from all neighborhoods, schools, and child care settings, including public, private, charter, etc. Educators working in East Liberty, Homewood, and Hill District schools/settings are highly encouraged to apply.

Participating educators and artists will receive the following compensation:

  • Educator and Artist Cross-Training Compensation: $275
  • Educator and Artist Festival Participation Compensation: $260 per event ($780 total)
  • End-of-Project Focus Group Participation Compensation: $25
  • Artist Material Stipend: $400

Application & Deadlines

If you’re interested in applying or signing up as a volunteer, please visit the P.R.I.D.E. website.

All applications must be submitted by Friday, April 5 at 11:59 p.m.

About P.R.I.D.E.

As a part of the University of Pittsburgh School of Education’s Office of Child Development, P.R.I.D.E. is a multifaceted program designed to help young African American children (ages 3 to 8) develop a positive racial identity, support teachers and parents by building their racial knowledge, and raise awareness of the impact of race on young children. The program provides a range of services, such as training opportunities for educators and artists, Parent Village sessions for Black children, and art festivals created to immerse young Black children in a space designed to celebrate them.

See the P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festivals flyer. 

*Information provided by the P.R.I.D.E. Program

News

March 20, 2019

Mission Impossible: Black Child Play as Necessity & Resistance

Overview

YUIR (Youth Undoing Institutional Racism), a youth-focused intergenerational anti-racist community organizing group, is hosting “Mission Impossible: Black Child Play as Necessity and Resistance,” an informative and interactive workshop on the different ways that Black children, particularly children living in poverty, play.

About the Workshop

The workshop will work with participants through dialogue, physical play, and multimedia presentations to analyze the ages and stages of play necessary for holistic child development, as well as the racialized and classed ways in which play is deprived as Black children age and grow. Finally, the group will consider the ways that Black children use play to respond to and protest against institutionalized racism.

Learn More

Learn more about YUIR by visiting their Facebook page.

News

November 21, 2018

Participate In Giving By Shopping Smart On Cyber Monday

After spending time with our friends and family on Thanksgiving, community members are gearing up for big savings during Black Friday. However, not everyone is thrilled about the long lines and packed stores. That’s why Cyber Monday is a great opportunity to save big within the comforts of your own home. In the season of giving, continue giving by shopping smart through AmazonSmile and Giving Assistant.

AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Trying Together.

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service, with the added benefit of supporting your favorite nonprofits and charities.

Support Trying Together by shopping now.

Giving Assistant

Support Trying Together while shopping online at your favorite stores. With 3,139 online stores participating, there are 3,139 opportunities to give.

Join us and learn more by visiting the Giving Assistant website.

How It Works
  1. Shop and Save
    • Get coupons and up to 2x cash back at 3,139 top brands like Macy’s, Apple, and Target.
  2. Raise Cash Back Donations
    • Opt-in to give 1% to 100% of the cash back you earn to your favorite cause at checkout.
  3. Watch It Work
    • With every purchase, your cash back “microdonations” add up to make a real difference.

Shopping Smart

Don’t miss these simple opportunities to make a difference and support early childhood care and education.