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.
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 Video: ‘I Can’t Breathe: From Agony to Activism’, Pitt Diversity Implicit Bias Test, Harvard Anti-Racism Resources, Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein Black History Month Library African American History: From Emancipation to the Present, Yale 5 Ways White People Can Take Action in Response to White and State-Sanctioned Violence, Medium The critical role white parents play in shaping racism — and eradicating it, PBS How Not to be an Ally: Common missteps and advice for effective allyship, Psychology Today An Anti-Racist Reading List, The New York Times Mental Health Support and Education, Steel Smiling Center for Race & Gender Equality, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh Race Research Online Directory, University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work How to raise anti-racist kids: 20 resources for parents, Motherly Podcast: Notice the Rage, Notice the Silence, On Being with Krista Tippett Talking About Race, National Museum of African American History & Culture Want to support Black Lives Matter? Here’s where to start in Pittsburgh., Kidsburgh Why Raising Kids to ‘Not See Color’ Doesn’t Help Fight Racism, HuffPost Video: What I am learning from my white grandchildren – truths about race, TEDx Talks Video: Juneteenth Round Table with Rep. Chris Rabb & Rep. Ed Gainey, For Our Future Pennsylvania Race and Equity Resource List, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Antiracism Meditation Confronting Prejudice: How to Protect Yourself and Help Others, Pepperdine University In My Skin Podcast, University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community, Sunshine Behavioral Health Our Family’s Commitment to Being Anti-Racist, PBS Kids Black Lives Matter, Substance Abuse, and Addiction Recovery in the United States, Addicted.org Citizen Journalism and Political Protests, Syracuse University Black Boys Matter: Cultivating Their Identity, Agency, and Voice, NAEYC Things to Know If You Love a Multiracial Child, Embrace Race COVID-in-Color: Race-conscious Resources For Children & Families, Embrace Race Exploring & Understanding Structural Racism, Embrace Race “Love is not enough”: Supports for Transracial Adoptive Families, Embrace Race Nurturing Resistance & Joy in Black Children, Embrace Race Raising Muslim American Children Who Thrive, Embrace Race Anti-Hate Safety Resources, Asian American Federation Asian Americans Advancing Justice Parenting in Racially and Culturally Diverse Adoptive Families, Child Welfare Information Gateway Not Equal: Racial Disparities In Addiction/Substance Abuse Treatment, AddictionResource.net Stop AAPI Hate After Atlanta: Teaching About Asian American Identity and History, Learning for Justice Black Men Matter – Examining Mental Health Issues Among Black Men – A Guide To Freedom, Drug Rehab USA Race and Ethnicity: How it affects your risk of cancer, HealthMatch Racism is a Public Health Crisis, Milken Institute School of Public Health Resources to Help Empower Asian and Pacific Islander Communities, Online MSW Programs Resources for Educators ‘All we are asking for is change!’ How schools are taking steps toward justice-centered learning, Kidsburgh Black Students Are Not ‘Marginalized,’ They Are the Center of Our Work, Education Post Asian Americans K-12 Education Curriculum, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Black Lives Matter Resources, Writix Early Childhood Education Elementary Education Talking to Kids About Racism and Justice: a list for parents, caregivers & educators, Oakland Library Video: Identity, Challenge and Dismantle: A Few Sociocultural Strategies for Teaching About Racism, SPSSI An Essential Reading Guide for Fighting Racism, BuzzFeed News Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education (P.R.I.D.E) – Understanding PRIDE in Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Education P.R.I.D.E. Speaker Series, University of Pittsburgh School of Education In My Skin: A P.R.I.D.E Podcast, University of Pittsburgh School of Education Teacher’s Corner, University of Pittsburgh School of Education What is Race?, Flocabulary Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education Position Statement, NAEYC Advancing Equity Initiative, NAEYC Becoming Upended: Teaching and Learning About Race and Racism with Young Children and Their Families, NAEYC The Impact of Racism on Child and Adolescent Health, The American Academy of Pediatrics YogaRoots On Location Certified Yoga Teacher Training Talking About Race, National Museum of African American History and Culture Understanding Anti-Bias Education: Bringing the Four Core Goals to Every Facet of Your Curriculum, NAEYC A Call to Action for White Educators Who Seek to Be Anti-Racist, PBS Teaching #BlackLivesMatter, Teaching for Change A Guide to Equity and Antiracism for Educators, Edutopia How to Root Out Anti-Black Racism From Your School, EdWeek How Indigenous, Black and POC Educators Envision a Better School Experience, KQED Race & Ethnicity Resources, Teaching Tolerance Webinar Recording: Racial Justice, Equity and the role of Child Care, Child Care Aware Racial inequities in education can start as early as preschool, AXIOS NEA activists launch series of video “primers” for anti-racist white educators, NEA Tools for Anti-Racist Teaching, PBS Teachers Lounge My Racial Journey, University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development PA Equity Inclusion Toolkit, Pennsylvania Department of Education Equity Services, Pennsylvania School Boards Association The Cultural Proficiency Framework, The Robbins Group Diversity Toolkit: A Guide to Discussing Identity, Power and Privilege, University of Southern California What White Colleagues Need to Understand, Teaching Tolerance Building Antiracist White Educators How to create anti-racist virtual classrooms: Strategies for teachers and families, Kidsburgh How do you teach antiracism to the youngest students?, The Hechinger Report How to Better Support Your Black Colleagues, Edutopia Building Anti-Racist Early Childhood Programs with Implicit Bias Trainings & Resources, HiMama Inclusion of All Children in Early Childhood Education Programs in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning One School’s Commitment to Equity Using Student-Centered Learning, Students at the Center Hub A Simple Way to Self-Monitor for Bias, Edutopia Mere Engagement: Reflections about the Connections Between Online Learning, Student Agency, and Student Engagement, Aurora Institute Learning for Justice Public Health Resources for Understanding Environmental Racism, Public Health Degrees A Call to Action for White Educators Who Seek to Be Anti-Racist, PBS Teachers Lounge How to Provide a Multicultural Education, Baylor University 135 Racial Equity Resources For Education, Professional & Community Development, Health, And Civil Rights, College Consensus Resources for Discussing Racism and Violence with Children Coming Together: Talking to Children About Race and Identity, Sesame Workshop Talking to Kids About Anti-Asian Racism, Time for Kids Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News, Child Mind Institute Video: A Clinical Perspective on Talking to Kids About Racism, Child Mind Institute Transcript: A Clinical Perspective on Talking to Kids About Racism, Child Mind Institute Talking to Children About Race, Policing and Violence, The New York Times Addressing Race and Trauma in the Classroom: A Resource for Educators, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Resources for Talking about Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with Kids, Center for Racial Justice in Education Anti-Racism for Kids: An Age-by-Age Guide to Fighting Hate, Parents.com ‘Raising White Kids’ Author On How White Parents Can Talk About Race, NPR George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. What do we tell our children?, USA Today They’re not too young to talk about race!, The Children’s Community School Talking to Children About Racial Bias, HealthyChildren Video: “How do I make sure I’m not raising the next Amy Cooper?” with Jennifer Harvey, Embrace Race Talking Race with Young Children, NPR How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism, Parent Toolkit 10 tips for teaching and talking to kids about race, Embrace Race How to Talk with Kids About Racism and Racial Violence, Common Sense Media Resources for Talking About Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with Kids, Center for Racial Justice in Education How to Talk to Your Children About the Protests, The Wall Street Journal Talking about Race with Kids and Teens, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Talking with Children About Racism, Police Brutality and Protests, Aha! Parenting How To Talk To Your Kids About Race, Racism And Police Violence, WBUR How to talk to kids about racism, explained by a psychologist, Vox 21 Anti-Racism Videos to Share With Kids, We are Teachers Experts answer your kids’ tough questions about race and racism, The Hechinger Report Talking to Children Authentically about Race and Racism, PBS Kids How To Talk About Race And Protests With Your Kids, Explained By A Child Psychologist, WBUR The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special, Sesame Workshop Video – PBS KIDS Talk About: Race & Racism, PBS Kids Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism: A Discussion Guide, PDB Kids Raising Kids Who Embrace Race, National PTA So You Want to Raise a Young White Ally?, Embrace Race Supporting Children’s Leadership & Activism, Embrace Race Supporting Healthy Racial Learning in Early Childhood, Embrace Race Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence, Child Mind Institute Children’s Books I Too Am America, by Langston Hughes, ages 5+ Baby Blessings: A Prayer For The Day You Were Born, by Deloris Jordan, ages 0-6 Lullaby, A Poem, by Langston Hughes, ages 0-6 Welcome, Precious, by Nikki Grimes, ages 0-5 Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grow Up to Become Malcolm X, by IIyasha Shabazz, ages 6+ CROWN: An Ode To A Fresh Cut, by Derrick Barnes, ages 3-10 Turning 15 On The Road To Freedom: My Story of 1965 Selma Voting Right March, by Lynda Blackmon, ages 12+ A Child’s Introduction To AA History, by Jabari Asim, ages 5+ 10 Children’s Books About Racism And Activism To Help Parents Educate Their Kids, HuffPost 31 Children’s books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance, Embrace Race These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids, The New York Times Books About Racism and Social Justice, Common Sense Media Books on race and racism, by age, recommended by Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Kidsburgh Reading Race in Picture Books with Children, Embrace Race Resources for Social/Emotional Development Helping Children Cope With Frightening News, Child Mind Institute How to Foster Resilience in Kids, Child Mind Institute What to Do (and Not Do) When Children Are Anxious, Child Mind Institute NASP: Managing Strong Emotional Reactions to Trauma, National Association of School Psychologists Supporting Young Children after Crisis Events, NAEYC Coping with Grief After Community Violence, SAMHSA The Brown Mama Blueprint Podcast, Pittsburgh Brown Mamas Resources to Support Children’s Emotional Well-Being Amid Anti-Black Racism, Racial Violence, and Trauma, Child Trends Asian Mental Health Collective
“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.
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
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.
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 August 24, 2019, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Homewood YMCA Hill District September 14, 2019, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Hug Me Tight Childlife Center Questions For more information, contact Adam Flango at 412.383.8726 or AdamFlango@pitt.edu. Share this flyer with your network.
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.
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
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.
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 Shop and Save Get coupons and up to 2x cash back at 3,139 top brands like Macy’s, Apple, and Target. Raise Cash Back Donations Opt-in to give 1% to 100% of the cash back you earn to your favorite cause at checkout. 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.