A powerful coalition organizing our influence to ensure California's ECE system is culturally affirming for Black children, families, and educators.https://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3muihvbckei27Our session at the First 5 CA Summit, Reimagining Workforce Stability and Family Engagement: The Ancestral Coaching Model as a Catalyst for Universal, High-Quality Child Care, brought together attendees for a conversation about what it takes to build a thriving early learning workforce.01 Sep 2026 22:30 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3muihvbckei27https://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mufhighg2r25Last night's Welcome Reception was everything. 🥂 BlackECE was proud to co-host the kickoff to the 2026 First 5 California Summit alongside Zero to Three. The room was full of good conversation, good energy, and a whole lot of community. If you were there, you already know.31 Aug 2026 17:45 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mufhighg2r25https://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mu64gsphbq2jCome see us! On Monday, August 31st, our team is leading a session at the First 5 California Summit: Reimagining Workforce Stability and Family Engagement: The Ancestral Coaching Model as a Catalyst for Universal, High-Quality Child Care.28 Aug 2026 19:38 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu64gsphbq2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mu3a3ov2zn2yComing to the First 5 CA Summit? Come sit with us! Our team is leading a session on the Ancestral Coaching Model, a coaching approach that centers identity, emotional safety, and belonging for early educators. It's about building trust, not just building systems.27 Aug 2026 16:06 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu3a3ov2zn2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mtypmpodh72pCatch BlackECE at the 2026 First 5 California Summit: Their Futures First next week! BlackECE will be hosting the Welcome Reception on Sunday, August 30th at 6:00 PM.26 Aug 2026 16:06 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtypmpodh72phttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mtwun2x52k2o✨ The Unsung Heroes of Child Care: Black child care providers are some of the most dedicated individuals, yet they continue to be undervalued in society. From teaching cultural heritage to fostering academic success, these providers are shaping the future of America, one child at a time.25 Aug 2026 22:30 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtwun2x52k2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mstfxjkwhu2lWow. Power gems. Hard truths. A drum line nobody saw coming. Two days, one community, a whole lot of Black joy. If you weren't there, you missed something special. Stay tuned to see all the happenings from our 3rd Annual BlackECE Symposium. #WeAreTheReturn #BlackECESymposium11 Aug 2026 20:04 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mstfxjkwhu2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3msjmaa6lzu26Thank you to all of our sponsors! The BlackECE Symposium wouldn't be what it is today without your support. Interested in sponsoring next year's symposium? Or even placing an ad in our beautiful journal programs? Visit www.blackecesymposium.org/sponsor to inquire. #WeAreTheReturn #BlackECESymposium07 Aug 2026 22:30 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3msjmaa6lzu26https://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3msivlvagmu23What a day it was. Yesterday we filled a room with power gems, hard truths, and so much Black joy. Two Chop It Up sessions. A keynote from Michael Harriot that had everyone taking notes. A surprise drum line that brought us all to our feet.07 Aug 2026 15:45 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3msivlvagmu23https://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mrq6wcx5tg2wLast call!🚨 Registration for the BlackECE Symposium closes TOMORROW, and we are not responsible for the FOMO you will feel on August 6th when everyone is in Sacramento without you. We Are the Return, and the return is almost here. Get your seat!28 Jul 2026 19:55 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrq6wcx5tg2whttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mpog27md4j2sLast Saturday, we launched our first cohort of Ancestral Coaching Model™ coaches, who gathered at Head Start in East Oakland for their training.02 Jul 2026 16:07 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpog27md4j2shttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3movaygeq2l2tIn one hour, we're gathering to talk about something long overdue. Black women were the original caregivers and early educators in America — through centuries of chattel slavery, they nurtured and taught children while fighting for their own survival.22 Jun 2026 16:00 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3movaygeq2l2thttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3monzudcte42sBefore there was an early childhood education system, there were Black women. Enslaved. Uncompensated. Separated from their own children. Forced to pour their care, their milk, their songs, and their tenderness into households that did not belong to them.19 Jun 2026 19:04 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3monzudcte42shttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mnvaqfud2c2sBlack women are the original early educators of America. They cared for children through slavery, through Jim Crow, through every era of exclusion — and they were still left out of California's Reparations Task Force Report. We're changing that conversation. Join us. 🖤✊🏾09 Jun 2026 22:30 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnvaqfud2c2shttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mniofho2ig2yComment 'KICKBACK' to register! Before the second day of the Symposium begins, we gather. Rhythm & Harmony is a Black-centered evening Kickback honoring the relationships, collaborations, and collective vision that make this work possible.04 Jun 2026 22:30 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mniofho2ig2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mmhcuycuuj2hThree years ago, we made a promise to show up for Black children, Black families, and Black early childhood professionals — not just in our communities, but in the halls where policy is made. On April 29th, we kept that promise again.22 May 2026 16:06 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmhcuycuuj2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mmagxnsf2o2eBlack women have always been the first teachers. Long before early childhood education had a name, they were nurturing, protecting, and educating children, even while in bondage. Now, it's time for that legacy to be recognized and repaired.19 May 2026 22:30 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmagxnsf2o2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mhynqukec523We were at the Capitol yesterday. And we had something to say. BlackECE's annual Staff Advocacy Day brought us directly to California's legislative offices to advance our 2026 Policy Agenda. Two priorities that are non-negotiable for us:26 Mar 2026 22:30 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhynqukec523https://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mhr22fyyvb2i💵Millions of California kids have CalKIDS accounts, with $2B+ already saved. But most haven’t been claimed! Learn more about this early wealth-building program and how families can access it in Bringing Up California’s new webinar: 👶 From Cradle to College 📅 April 14, 2026 🕓 12PM PT23 Mar 2026 21:49 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhr22fyyvb2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mgdxcvjnge2hWe said We Are the Return — and we meant it. We are BEYOND thrilled to announce @michaelharriot as a speaker at the 2026 BlackECE Symposium: We Are the Return.05 Mar 2026 23:30 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgdxcvjnge2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mgbgtzoqwl2cJoin Us at the Black Literacy Matters Conference 2026! BlackECE is excited to be presenting at the Boots on the Ground: Black Literacy Matters Conference, taking place March 11–14, 2026, at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia.04 Mar 2026 23:30 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgbgtzoqwl2chttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mfse27o3ug2hThe new knowledge brief series, The Brilliance and Importance of Affirming Black (English) Language in Early Childhood Education, by BlackECE, Californians Together, Catalyst California, and Early Edge California launches with its first volume: Why Black Language Matters.26 Feb 2026 23:30 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfse27o3ug2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mdvncyj44s2nRegistration is now OPEN! Registration is now open for the 2026 BlackECE Symposium: We are the Return, happening August 6th - 7th. In honor of Black History Month, we’re offering special registration perks to our community:02 Feb 2026 20:03 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdvncyj44s2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mcxtb4uf6326BlackECE responds to the Governor’s proposed budget. While we acknowledge critical investments, this proposal fails to meaningfully support Black children, Black families, and Black child care providers. Justice requires more than omissions—it requires action. Read our full response.21 Jan 2026 23:30 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcxtb4uf6326https://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mcs4ufjozc2jHonoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called us to imagine a world where justice is not abstract, but lived—where systems are built to protect the dignity of all people. His work reminds us that justice must be intentional, collective, and rooted in care.19 Jan 2026 17:06 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcs4ufjozc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mcklhyen5a2w✨ Welcome to the Team, Dubrea Sanders! ✨16 Jan 2026 17:06 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcklhyen5a2whttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3mbwhqg7umb2pWhen do you stop saying Happy New Year?! Our latest newsletter just released! We're looking back and looking ahead to the new year and what 2026 will bring to us. Read all about it here 👉🏿 https://mailchi.mp/blackece/happy-new-year08 Jan 2026 17:06 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbwhqg7umb2phttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3m7l77ssxab2oChild care is essential infrastructure. It makes every other job possible. But families face skyrocketing costs, and educators—mostly women and disproportionately women of color—are paid poverty-level wages.09 Dec 2025 18:44 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7l77ssxab2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3m7l5aeokps2nChild care costs are skyrocketing, leaving families—especially mothers and working-class parents—with impossible choices. Accessible and affordable child care should be a right, not a luxury. That’s why we’re on Capitol Hill today to remind lawmakers: child care is essential infrastructure.09 Dec 2025 18:08 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7l5aeokps2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/blackece.bsky.social/post/3m7j6qlzq2n2oOur latest newsletter was released today! Check it out here 👉🏿 https://mailchi.mp/blackece/falling-into-winter08 Dec 2025 23:30 +0000at://did:plc:of7rzdkdnrawelopeemki3gx/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7j6qlzq2n2o