We’re better when we’re equal.
EarlystART has long been rooted in the belief that every child has the ability to succeed in school and in life. Ending injustice, racism, and bias is fundamental to delivering on this promise.
We’re committed to building a community that embraces equality for everyone.
Prioritizing equity, diversity, and inclusion within our EarlystART programs and throughout our practices and relationships is essential to affirming this belief.
We’re passionate about doing our part to create and nurture a culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates our diverse voices.
Race & Equity Conversations
Our Race & Equity Conversations series is just one of many ways we bring those voices to the table. In empowering everyone around us to share experiences, ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds, we’re inspiring real change and strengthening connections to the communities where we live, learn, work, and play.
February 2021
As part of our “Building Relationships by Tearing Down Walls of Racial Division”, we explore the intersection of race and equity within our education system.
Discussion Host: Murray L. Woodard II is a program officer in Education for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where he manages projects around community engagement and ownership.
March 2021
Are we color blind? Do our children see race? In this conversation, participants discussed how UICS integrates healthy identity formation within its programs and dispels the myth that we are color blind.
Discussion Host: EarlystART CEO Deidre Anderson
April 2021
In this session, we discuss why the arts are important for little learners and how they can be a catalyst for social change and can help with healthy identity formation.
Discussion Host: Michelle Tyrene Johnson is a KC native and diversity consultant, speaker, playwright, writer, and journalist.
May 2021
American History does not exist without Black History. A holiday too often overlooked, this session focuses on Juneteenth’s History and impact in a contemporary world.
Discussion Host: Michelle Tyrene Johnson is a KC native and diversity consultant, speaker, playwright, writer, and journalist.
June 2021
Social media and its intersection of influence and racial conversations inspired June’s conversation series. We discussed the community’s interpretation on misinformation and disinformation and how social media impacts our beliefs and caregiving.
Discussion Host: Michelle Tyrene Johnson is a KC native and diversity consultant, speaker, playwright, writer, and journalist.
With Gratitude: Native Land Acknowledgement
EarlystART acknowledges that its early learning and family development centers reside on the traditional lands of Indigenous peoples and nations including the Kickapoo, Kaw/Kansa, and Osage People. EarlystART dedicates this land acknowledgment in remembrance of them and their people’s continued fight for sovereignty and human rights today.
It is our honor to recognize and respect all Indigenous communities—past, present, and future—for their ongoing and fundamental relationships and contributions to our community and all communities.
