May 11 – 15 is National Black Child Development Week in the United States. This year, amid COVID-19, The National Black Child Development Institute Inc. (NBCDI) decided to make the most out of the week by going digital and focusing on homeschooling, mental health, and food insecurity. In addition, NBCDI will be raising funds to deliver groceries to those in need.
For the past 50 years, NBCDI has been at the forefront of engaging leaders, policymakers, professionals, and
parents around critical and timely issues that directly impact black children and their families. They are a trusted partner in delivering culturally relevant resources that respond to the unique strengths and needs of black children around issues including early childhood education, health, child welfare, literacy, and family engagement.As more than 55 million students are sheltered-in-place during the pandemic, numerous organizations have responded to the needs of black children who are doubly disadvantaged. Prior to the crisis, countless black children faced a number of insecurities and disparities. In response, The National Black Child Development Institute has gone digital for National Black Child Development week during its 50th Anniversary celebration and will host a variety of Zoom-powered workshops and seminars, and Instagram Live conversations.
“Nothing will stop us from supporting black children,” said Tobeka G. Green, president and CEO of NBCDI in a release. “We have reallocated and customized our resources and support to foster uninterrupted learning and optimal well-being.”
The free one-hour live sessions will provide critical insight, tools, and resources on subjects including homeschooling, the black economy, mental health, and the 2020 census. Each day kicks-off at noon and ends at 4:30 p.m. with a daily ‘Homeschooling Happy Half-Hour’ for children and families to enjoy together.
The featured speakers for the series of events include Marley Dias, teen activist and founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks; David Clunie, executive director, Black Economic Alliance; Angela F. Williams, president and chief
executive officer, Easter Seals; Kennith ‘Kenny Clutch, The Dancing Dad’ Thomas, professional choreographer, overcoming adversity influencer and author of When We Change the Mind, We Change the Game; Eunique Jones Gibson, award-winning photographer, activist and author of Because of Them, We Can™; and Jonathan Hines, Pre-K teacher, Barack H. Obama Elementary Magnet School of Technology and first African American male named Teacher of the Year in Georgia.To sign up for the free workshops and sessions, click here.