Each Child. Every Community.

Juneteenth became a federally recognized holiday in 2021. While the holiday may feel like a new holiday for many, there are so many Americans who have been celebrating Juneteenth throughout their whole lives—it is not just a day but...

Today is Women's Equality Day, when the nation marks the contributions that women have made to our democracy and progress toward realizing full equality of opportunity. The day recognizes the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which symbolically...

Just Ask! : One CFLE’s Lesson Learned in Becoming a Culturally Responsive Home Visitor by Ebonyse Mead, EdD, CFLE (Certified Family Life Educator) Home visiting programs offer coordinated and comprehensive support to families. Services often include parenting education, health care information,...

Post by Ebonyse Mead, MA, MS, CFLE and Kara Lehnhardt, MBA “Whoa!? Is this for real?!”  That was our reaction when we first encountered the data describing just how many young children in early childhood programs are experiencing suspension or expulsion. ...

This post is part of a series written by Smart Start leaders chosen to participate in the Equity Leaders Action Network (ELAN), launched by The BUILD Initiative in 2015. Over the next three years, ELAN leaders will work together...

This post is part of a series written by Smart Start leaders chosen to participate in the Equity Leaders Action Network (ELAN), launched by The BUILD Initiative in 2015. Over the next three years, ELAN leaders will work together...

Four early childhood leaders from North Carolina’s Smart Start network have been selected to participate in the Equity Leaders Action Network (ELAN), a group dedicated to advancing racial equity in early childhood systems. The Smart Start leaders include: Dr. Jessica...

The BUILD Initiative has launched an Equity Leaders Action Network (ELAN) to support leaders who have responsibility at the state or county level for early childhood systems. North Carolina is represented by four Smart Start leaders! Congratulations to Robeson County...