July 2, 2020 Transform for Tomorrow – Virtual Series for School Leaders Are you interested in connecting with school leaders to discuss strategies for integrating justice and anti-racist systems into your school? Attend “Transform for Tomorrow,” a three-part virtual series for school leaders that explores how educational organizations can make plans for what comes next. About As a Superintendent or school leader, you are already preparing for what will be a very different 2020-21 school year. You are adjusting to new ways of preparing your teachers, educating your students, and supporting your parents. Have you also integrated matters of justice? Are you constructing anti-racist systems? This three-part virtual series presents opportunities to share and learn from one another about how our schools might, together, make plans for what comes next, no matter what tomorrow brings. Webinar Dates Justice: Learning and Leading July 14, 2020 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Register Justice: Teaching in STEM July 16, 2020 | 1 – 2 p.m. | Register Justice: Learning and Strategizing July 21, 2020 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Register Registration To register, visit the event webpage.
July 1, 2020 PACCA Zoom Series: Racial Equity in Early Learning Are you interested in learning how to embed racial equity into your early learning program? Join the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) on Fridays from July 10 – 24 for their Zoom Series, “Racial Equity in Early Learning.” About This three-part professional development series is designed to help early learning and school-age programs embed racial equity from recruiting, hiring, and on-going training offerings for staff to interactions with children of color. After defining key racial justice terminology such as implicit bias, cultural competency, race, racism, antiracist ally, etc., participants are encouraged to identify concrete ways to embrace racial equity personally and professionally. These Zoom meetings will be informative and interactive, and will provide participants with real resources and supports for classroom situations. Individuals who participate in all three meetings will receive 4.5 hours of PQAS credits and/or 4.5 Act 48 hours. Cost PACCA Members: $20 for all three meetings Non-Members: $45 for all three meetings Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage. Zoom links will be sent in a confirmation email when your registration is received. If you do not receive confirmation, please check your Junk inbox or contact maureen.murphy@pacca.org.
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
Taking Personal and Professional Responsibility for Anti-Racism Work 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 an ongoing way. In order to support you in this work, we have compiled a new webpage of resources to combat racism. Learn More with Upcoming Discussions June 5, 2020 at 8:30 p.m. | “I [STILL] can’t breathe”: Supporting kids of color amid racialized violence June 6, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. | CNN and ‘Sesame Street’ to host a town hall addressing racism June 9, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. | Virtual Parents Event: Talking to Children Authentically About Race and Racism June 10, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. | Race, Police, and Unarmed Civilian Deaths: What Can Be Done?
“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 24, 2020 Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms Are you looking to better understand and embrace anti-bias and anti-racist teaching approaches in your early learning classroom? Join Iheoma U. Iruka, Stephanie M. Curenton, and Kerry-Ann Escayg on April 28 for their webinar “Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms.” About In this webinar, the lead authors of “Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms” call all early education professionals to lean in as “sheroes” and “heroes” in the lives of children. The goal of this webinar is to ensure that participants understand and embrace anti-bias and anti-racist teaching approaches by creating affirming culturally-rich classroom environments that protect children from psychological trauma and heals them from the inside out. Participants will learn how institutional racism is visited in the early childhood space and the roles of implicit bias, microaggression, and white privilege in undermining the excellence and learning of minoritized Black and brown children and for those who teach them. Participants will also learn about several tools and strategies. This webinar will be of interest to pre-k through elementary teachers, school and district leaders, coaches, trainers, and child care providers, owners, and administrators. Time for questions will be provided. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.
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
April 14, 2020 How To Help Children Be “Disaster-Resilient” and Why We Must Data show that children with COVID-19 appear to have lower mortality rates, and generally milder symptoms, than do adults who contract the disease. However, the indirect effects of COVID-19 might well have devastating long-term impacts on children, especially in socially-, politically-, economically-, and, often, racially-marginalized communities. About Join EmbraceRace on Wednesday, April 22 for “How We Can Help Our Children to Be ‘Disaster-Resilient’ and Why We Must” for a conversation about how the unfolding crisis might be affecting children’s mental health, and what you can do to support their well-being. Time will be provided for questions and comments. The event will feature Denese Shervington, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tulane University School of Medicine and Institute for Women and Ethics Studies. Registration To register, visit the event registration page.
April 3, 2020 Equity in Education: An Examination of Practices in the United States Are you interested in learning ways that you can address equity in your classroom as an educator? Join Steven Almazan on April 8 for the webinar, “Equity in Education: An Examination of Practices in the United States.” About Educational equity is impacted by many contributing factors such as race, gender, socio-economic status, language proficiency, learning disability status, and other social and cultural factors. Students who hold unique identities should receive an adequate amount of resources, human capital, instructional time, and social support to ensure that they are learning and growing at their fullest potential. What can teachers and administrators do to promote equity in schools and classrooms? What practices should be examined and challenged as inequitable? In this webinar, presenters will explore a variety of policies and practices that aim to address the foundational challenges of achieving educational equity in the United States. They will also highlight ways educators can address equity in their school systems. This webinar will be of particular interest to pre-k through middle school teachers and school and district leaders and administrators. Time for questions will be included. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage!
