Cultivating Leaders of Color in Early Care and Education

Why are leaders of color imperative for improving early care and education systems? Based in Alameda County, California, the California Consortium for Equity in Early Childhood Education is taking on the critical challenge of interrupting inequities and systemic racism in early care and education by cultivating a new generation of leaders that are representative of the children and families they serve. In our third episode, we learn from Consortium co-directors about their innovative fellowship program, in partnership with the California Early Childhood Mentor Program, that brings together teachers, staff, and administrators for capacity building, mentorship, and peer learning. They share their journey in developing the program, the impact of their work in fostering more equitable curriculum, practices, and policies, as well as the importance of centering racial equity and authentic family engagement in systems change efforts.  

Guests include:

Neva Bandelow, Early Learning Program Manager, Alameda County Office of Education

Dr. LaWanda Wesley, Director, Quality Enhancement & Professional Development of Early Learning, Oakland Unified School District 

Host: Ronda Alexander, Director of Operations, NOW at Vital Village Network

Produced by: Networks of Opportunity for Child Wellbeing

Music By: Morgan Breland