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WHY BECOME A MEMBER? BCDI-Atlanta membership provides access to resources you need to make a positive impact in the lives of Black children and their families and enables the organization to engage in collective, strengths-based culturally relevant education and advocacy. ​ When you join, you become a member of both our national organization (NBCDI) and local affiliate, BCDI-Atlanta. ​ Is your NBCDI and BCDI-Atlanta Membership current? Join NBCDI and BCDI-Atlanta now! Membership Overview Our Mission Since 1970, the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) has been committed to the mission “to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and families through education and advocacy.” Established in 1981, BCDI-Atlanta Affiliate coordinates community programs and initiatives throughout the state of Georgia, supporting the six focus areas of NBCDI. Our Focus Areas Our efforts focus on: Early Care and Education Health and Wellness Family Engagement Literacy Child Welfare Policy and Advocacy Summary of Membership Benefits Access to Resources Keeps You Connected Builds Your Knowledge and Skills Saves You Money Great Value Access to Resources BCDI-Atlanta membership gives access to resources you need to make a positive impact in the lives of Black children and their families and enables the organization to engage in collective, strengths-based culturally-relevant education and advocacy. Open Sans Bold Affiliates- Join one of nearly 30 Affiliates in communities across the country, with access to local networks of leaders. Networking- Become part of a community of thousands of educators, parents and policymakers committed to ensuring that our children are loved, valued, educated and supported. Social Media- Join our community of educators, parents, researchers and more as you engage with us online. Builds Your Knowledge and Skills Professional Development- Take advantage of dynamic opportunities, including our Annual Conference, to build your skills and expand your knowledge, online and in person. Resources- Access culturally-relevant and research-based curricula, resources and information on literacy, health and wellness, family engagement and social-emotional development. Advocacy- Become a leader, and participate in national, state and local trainings, events, collaborations and activities in order to ensure that our policymakers are making positive and equitable decisions that support our children, families and communities. Saves You Money Receive discounts on NBCDI’s Annual Conference, BCDI-Atlanta’s Annual State Conference, all our publications, events and products! Great Value Student Member- $25 (must provide a copy of a student ID and/or current transcript) Regular Member- $40 (includes membership in a local BCDI Affiliate, if applicable) Independent Member- $40 (means you choose not to join a local Affiliate) Non-profit Organizational Membership- $250 (includes 7 individual memberships; must supply tax-exempt ID number) Corporate Membership- $500 (includes 7 individual memberships) Join Now!

EVENTS Stakeholder Meetings Tuesday, July 16, 2024 @ 6:30-8 PM ET BCDI-Atlanta Quarterly A ffiliate Meeting: Learn Mo re & Register Calendar CALENDAR PREVIOUS EVENTS View More Annual Summit Community Cafe NBCDW Stakeholder Meetings & Events Webinars National Conference National Black Child Development Week 2023 President's Address ​ The State of Black Children in Atlanta ...and What We're Doing About It June 5 @ 12 PM E T View on Facebook View on YouTube Celebrating Pillars of the Black Community ​ Monday - Friday, June 5-9, 2023 Newsletter ​ National Black Child Development Week 2023 ​ The Celebrating Our Mayor & ATL Year of the Youth June 9 @ 12 PM E T View on Facebook Vie w on YouTube

Tatjyana Elmore Interim President Tatjyana Elmore is the School Director for a nonprofit early learning program in metro Atlanta. Mrs. Elmore provides training support and career coaching to EHS/HS staff, licensed early learning centers, and CDA graduates. Mrs. Elmore is also a published author. She co-authored “In The Trenches: Stories From The Heart of Early Childhood Professionals”. Mrs. Elmore is a member of the Board for the National Black Child Development Institute Atlanta affliction and now serves as Interim President. She is dedicated to strengthening local and state support systems for young children in Georgia and building the capacity of educators to serve all young children. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Debbie Hillman Chairwoman Margaret McCall Vice Chairwoman Britne McDuffie Secretary Brigitte Willis Member at Large Nathan Thompson Member at Large Dr. Keon N. Berry Member at Large Debbie R. Hillman, CEO of Developing Human Resources Consultants, an organization focused on building quality services for children and families, has distinguished herself as one whose caring compassion and love to “serve all mankind” is exemplary. Beyond her professional endeavors, this community “champion” has found herself serving across a variety of mission-driven organizations. Her mantra is “service is the rent she pays for her time here on earth”. And, she demonstrates that through her role as Leadership Chairman of Strengthening Families Georgia and newly elected Board Chair-Black Child Development-Atlanta. She’s an active, hardworking member of AKA, TLOD, and NAACP, too! Debbie is a champion who C.A.R.E.S., as she collaborates with both traditional and nontraditional partners throughout her community, acting on behalf of children and families. A strong family, child, and community advocate, she is always working to ensure that issues affecting citizens are addressed. Through her coordinated efforts, thousands of new registered voters are able to lend their voices. We are better informed because of her civic engagement efforts and voter education activities. Lastly, she is constantly involved in social media and other strategies to stimulate individuals to “speak up”! My name is Britne Mcduffie! I am from McRae, Ga. My career as a Child Development Specialist (Toddler Teacher) began during my internship at Georgia Southern Child Development Center. I continued my work with young children after my internship by becoming the lead teacher in the Toddler Two classroom at Georgia Southern Child Development Center (five years now). As a lab teacher, my role is to serve as a role model and mentor to students who are working towards their degree in child development. I have received an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from East Georgia State College and a bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development from Georgia Southern University. I recently received my master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology. I’m currently pursuing another bachelor’s degree in early education administration from Purdue Global University (Fall 2024). I was the Fall 2020 Stellar Student Award Recipient for BCDI-Atlanta. I am a Georgia approved trainer (2020). I’m a member of BCDI-Atlanta and GAEYC. I’m also a part of BCDI-Atlanta Board of Directors and serve as District 3 Representative on GAEYC board. I have had the pleasure of presenting at the National Black Child Development Institute 49th Annual Conference, Georgia Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, Southern Conference on Children, and BCDI: Summit on Children on meeting the development needs of toddlers within a classroom setting. Teaching and training ALL is a strength of minds, and something I grow more passionate about each day. I love teaching young children within a learning environment and working collaboratively with others to impact and make a difference for ALL children. I am happy that I get to continue this journey to impacting children’s lives. Nothing is more exciting than seeing children conquer new milestones. Each day is a new adventure filled with new things to discover and learn. My goal is to provide a welcoming and encouraging early learning experience that motivates each child’s social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development. I joined BCDI-Atlanta to become a voice for children who look like me. To make a difference and impact the lives of children. I strive to go the distance for ALL, and BCDI-Atlanta allows me to do so through their advocacy and dedication to improving the lives of Black families and children. Nathan Thompson is a co-conspirator of anti-racism as he grapples with the intersection of privilege as it presents itself in race, gender, class, ability, etc. This work is critical to his approach to education. He is dedicated to collaboration as a means to creating growth through effective and nurturing learning environments for all, promoting advocacy for children, families, and educators. As a board member, he is dedicated to be in service to the mission of BCDI-Atlanta, working to advocate for the best future for Black children and families. The NBCDI Eight Essential Outcomes are in direct alignment with Nathan’s own values of equity, authenticity, and connection. His work with Rollins Center for Language and Literacy through “Literacy and Justice for All” is related to BCDI’s goal to “partner with child-serving agencies to implement culturally relevant and culturally responsive programs promoting high-quality early care and education, literacy, health, and family engagement.” Dr. Keon N. Berry is a dynamic scholar-practitioner with a rich background in education management. Driven by a passion for positive social change, Dr. Berry utilizes core principles of equity, advocacy, and innovation to drive impactful transformations in higher education, early childhood education, education policy, academia, and social welfare. Throughout Dr. Berry's career, he has demonstrated a track record of unwavering commitment to empowering families and fostering favorable outcomes for youth of all ages. Through vision, passion, and service to all humanity, Dr. Keon N. Berry strives to help children and families envision and actualize their dreams of a prosperous future. Brigitte Willis is a proud member of BCDI-Atlanta and has been serving as Member at Large since 2023. She is a devoted mother of one child, William. Brigitte was born in Caldwell County, NC and attended Appalachian State University (ASU). While at ASU, Brigitte studied finance and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA). Being a single parent for the first five years of my son’s life really put things into perspective quickly. Waking up to a mediocre job and squarely focusing on earning enough money to pay for childcare consumed most of my day. The answer was in my hands if the focus shifted. Many years later I am advocating for DEIBJ in ECE spaces. BCDI-Atlanta has opened my eyes to the genius of Black children and when Black children thrive, everyone WILL thrive! The time to ACT is now! You are your best advocate! ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM Ashlee Williams h olds a BA in Communications from Georgia State University and is pursuing a Master of Social Work at Howard University. She passionately advocates for marginalized communities, youth, and displaced families. With over ten years of social service experience, Ashlee has worked diligently to facilitate and maintain resources, organizational structure, and programming for various government and non-profit organizations. In addition to her work in the social service industry, she is also an educator, having worked as an English teacher in China and pre-k instructor. Ashlee’s passion for serving marginalized communities has led her to travel frequently, living abroad and in multiple states nationwide. Ashlee volunteers at various organizations across the metro Atlanta area in her free time, including Covenant House, and takes pride in being creative as a writer and photographer. Ashlee Williams Operations Coordinator Lubna Budhwani is a proud dual MBA degree holder in Human Resources Management, from prestigious universities located in Australia and United States. Not only does Lubna hold dual degrees, she also has more than twenty years of experience working in the administrative field in multiple parts of the world. Apart from her professional life, she is very keen on assisting those in need by volunteering at multiple reputed nonprofit organizations to make a difference in the world of those with disabilities and life-threatening conditions. In addition to her professional and charity work, she has extensive knowledge and experience about how the fashion industry works. Being a fashion entrepreneur, her passion of designing beautiful ethnic wear for all occasions is clearly seen through her work. Not only does she design custom wear ethnic clothing, she has vast knowledge of marketing her products through social media. Lubna Budhwani Administrative Coordinator

Learn More About Us Our mission is to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and families in Georgia through education and advocacy. ​ With the support of NBCDI and local community partners, BCDI-Atlanta delivers high-quality resources that respond to the unique strengths and needs of Black children and their families. BCDI-Atlanta partners with child-serving agencies to implement culturally relevant and culturally responsive programs promoting high-quality early care and education, literacy, and family engagement. ​ Read More Our Focus BCDI-Atlanta seeks to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and their families through education and advocacy, by supporting the adults in their lives. Family Engagement Promote family engagement as a long-term commitment. Early Care and Education Promote the equitable distribution of quality across the birth to eight continuum and the connection between early childhood settings and elementary schools. Literacy Coordinate programs, activities, and training to ensure reading proficiency by the end of 3rd grade for all students. Engage students, families, and educators. Policy Advance the quality of life for Black children, families, and communities. Tickets Signature Event 5th Annual Culturally ResponsiveEarly Education & Care Leadership Summit Learn More Learn More Support Us As a nonprofit organization, we depend on your gifts to continue our work. Consider a donation! Donate

CAREERS & OPPORTUNITIES Current Opportunities President ECE Fellowship President ​ As BCDI-Atlanta President Dr. Bisa Batten Lewis enters her tenth year of leadership with the organization (nearly four years as Vice President and six years as President), she has decided to strategically ‘pass the baton'. ​ During the 2024 Board Retreat in February, BCDI-Atlanta Board Chairwoman Debbie Hillman shared the news with its Board of Directors and agreed to launch Dr. Bisa’s comprehensive succession plan to begin the transition process. Open until filled with the goal of appointing an official successor to start on July 1, 2024, the President of BCDI-Atlanta must possess essential qualities required by its Board of Directors and the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI). Learn more and apply. Seeking Early Educators to Earn an Early Childhood Education Degree ​ ​ Expand ECE Fellowship We are excited that you are interested in applying to the Expand ECE program! This program was developed to engage committed educators, like yourself, and to increase the number of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) highly qualified early childhood teachers in Georgia. The Expand ECE program is a culturally responsive and transformational experience. ​ Learn more and apply. FAQ s

Share Your Story! We'd love to hear from YOU ! ​ Founded in 1981, BCDI-Atlanta continues to celebrate our legacy by sharing com munity stories from our sta keholders! BCDI-Atlanta would love to share how your connection to our organization has impacted you, your family and/or your work with young children and families. Please complete this Community Impact Form , so we may recognize you.

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT What We Do Promote family engagement as a long-term commitment shared between multiple stakeholders from many settings, which include outreach programs and activities that build partnerships, as well as equip families with resources to improve economic stability. BD CI-Atlanta's Two Generation Innovation Program BCDI- Atlanta’s Powerful Families program focuses on creating opportunities for and addressing the needs of both children and their families together, to create improved family economic stability. The program provides materials an d professional development opportunities to support families and early care and education staff at all levels. Families are given culturally relev ant books and early childhood educational materials to improve their children’s school readiness skills. Early care and education staff receive toolkits and training materials to enhance their relationships with and year-round opportunities for the children and families they serve. ​ Powerful Families Video Series BCDI-Atlanta proudly introduces a video series for Powerful Families. Each video encourages parents to spend more intentional and attentive time with their children. Visit our YouTube channel to view and share our videos with families. To learn more about Powerful Families and opportunities to get involved, please contact us . Family Engagement Program (FEP) The Family Engagement Program is a 12-week program created to provide parents and caregivers with the necessary knowledge, tools, and skills to support the learning and development of their children effectively. ​ Benefits of BCDI’s Family Empowerment Program: ​ Culturally Relevant and Responsive: Infuses the social-cultural context of families’ lived experiences. Trauma-Informed: Takes a holistic approach to building the capacity of families by educating families on brain development, toxic stress, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and the importance of building resiliency and developing protective factors in children and their families. Developmentally Appropriate: Fosters children’s learning and development while honoring their strengths, needs, and culture. Our Family Engagement Partners

ABOUT US OUR HISTORY Established in 1981, Black Child Development Institute (BCDI)-Atlanta coordinates community programs and initiatives, throughout the state of Georgia, supporting three key focus areas - early care and education, literacy, and family engagement. OUR VISIO N BCDI-Atlanta envisions a society that ensures a successful future for all Georgia's children. ​ OUR MISSION To improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and families in Georgia through education and advocacy ​ Black Child Development Institute-Atlanta, Inc. is a Georgia non-profit organization - 501(c)(3). ​ Download our Info Sheet.

NEWS S u bs cribe to our newsletter! ​ April 2024 Springing in a New Direction March 2024 Springing Forward for Our Children February 2024 Celebrating Love for Black Children January 2024 New Year, New Resources December 2023 Bright Futures Ahead November 2023 Manifesting a Bright Future for Black Children and Families ​ O c tober 2023 Lighting the Way for Our Children ​ September 2023 New Resources for our Children 2024 Culturally Responsive ECE Leadership Summit Call for Proposals and Award Nominations August 2023 A New School Year with Our Children ​ July 2023 Exploring New Horizons with Our Children June 2023 Summer Experiences with Our Children NBCDW 2023: Celebrating Pillars of the Black Community National Black Child Development Week Recap National Black Child Development Week June 5-9, 2023 ​ May 2023 Appreciating our Village April 2023 Showering Our Village with Opportunities ​ March 2023 Springing Forward with Our Children ​ February 2023 Love For Our Children January 2023 Happy New Year ​ ​December 2022 Gifts From Our Stakeholders ​ November 2022 Giving Thanks For Our Stakeholders! ​ October 2022 Celebrating 51 Years of Education & Advocacy September 2022 Innovative Programs Celebrating Our Heritage August 2022 Increasing Stakeholders for Our Children July 2022 Celebrating Initiatives for our Children ​ June 2022 Summer Initiatives at BCDI-Atlanta NBCDW 2022: June 6-10 May 2022 Shining Light on Advocacy for Our Children April 2022 Blooming Leaders for Our Children ​ March 2022 Springing Into Action for Our Children ​ ​ February 2022 Acts of Love for Our Children January 2022 Celebrating A New Year December 2021 Celebrating Our 40-Year Legacy ​ November 2021 2021 Community Leadership Award Winners Celebrating Gratitude October 2021 Celebrating Advocacy September 2021 Celebrating Our Impact August 2021 Celebrating Community Engagement July 2021 July Newsletter: Celebrating Community ​ ​ ​

EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION COVID-19 RESOURCES ECE-top What We Do Promote the equitable distribution of high-quality resources across the birth to eight continuums, which includes leadership and professional development, to encourage a well-qualified, culturally and racially diverse workforce. Expand ECE ​ BCDI-Atlanta’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Project BCDI-Atlanta's Expand ECE (Early Care & Education) initiative seeks to increase the diversity of early childhood education leaders and provide ongoing leadership support for childcare program owners, center directors, and family/group childcare providers. Expand ECE is a multi-tiered approach that is designed to systematically address the programmatic needs of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This initiative consists of 3 tiers. Anchor 1 3 Program Tiers ​ Tier 1 includes professional development for adults who live and work with Black children through BCDI-Atlanta's Annual Culturally Responsive Early Education & Care Summit . This tier uses a strengths-based approach to train early educators and supporters on how to be more culturally responsive by learning about each child's strengths, abilities, experiences, and interests as developed within the child's family and culture. Tier 2 is the Community level providing professional development on cultural responsiveness and inclusion. The Community Tier includes self-paced online training on strategies to improve personal goals (assist staff in self-awareness of culture, beliefs and personal values); workplace goals (foster a workplace of inclusion); and child/family goals (uplifting family voices and a commitment to equitable child outcomes), through professional development and networking opportunities such as our Leadership & Equity Advancement Network (LEAN). Tier 3 includes our annual fellowship program offerings - intensive training, coaching and mentoring programs with the goal of advancing and diversifying the early education workforce through inclusive and equitable leadership. Our Partners

Our Programs BCDI-Atlanta promotes the equitable distribution of quality across the birth to eight continuum and the connection between early childhood settings and elementary schools, by coordinating programs and training to increase the well-qualified, culturally & racially diverse workforce. BCDI-Atlanta coordinates programs, activities, and training to ensure reading proficiency by the end of 3rd grade for all students, engaging students, families, and educators. BCDI-Atlanta promotes family engagement as a long-term commitment shared between multiple stakeholders from many settings, by coordinating family empowerment outreach, programs, and activities that build partnerships and equips families with information and resources. BCDI-Atlanta advances the quality of life for Black children, families, and communities by connecting programs, policy, and advocacy, through the engagement of members and the broader community in activities designed to address local and state civic matters affecting Black children and families in Georgia. COVID-19 RESOURCES

HEALTH AND WELLNESS COVID-19 Resources What We Do "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." - World Health Organization, 1948 ​ BCDI-Atlanta promotes culturally relevant healthy nutrition and preventive care practices among families, by coordinating outreach, programs and activities to engage, educate, and empower. Strength Within ​ Trauma Informed Care Support for Early Educators & Child Advocates The Strength Within program provides professional development and coaching to early care and education family engagement staff who work in programs serving low-income families with young children ages 0-5. The goal of Strength Within is to decrease the risk of mental health challenges for trauma-exposed children by providing evidenced-based and culturally responsive training for case workers, child care/school staff and others who interact with impacted families. The program will increase awareness of trauma informed practices, train and coach on how to mitigate its impact. BCDI-Atlanta focuses primarily on helping adults, who are responding to and supporting families impacted by traumatic stress. Workshops train caregivers on how to identify and address children’s exposure to traumatic events and support the promotion of safety and trust within the family sphere. This comprehensive training also elevates the level of cultural awareness and responsiveness to better address the needs of children and adults who have faced adverse experiences. ​ Culturally Responsive ECE Summit ​ ​ ​ "Good for Me!" Program Good for Me! is a culturally relevant health and wellness program that promotes healthy nutrition and fitness for Black families and their children. Our simple and easy-to-implement curriculum allows parents, teachers, and caregivers to introduce new and healthier ways of living to young children to support them in developing healthy, sustainable habits starting as early as the age of three. ​ ​ Program Highlights: 100% of parents agreed that Good for Me! positively impacted their lives and their children’s lives. 99% of participating site staff reported Good for Me! increased participants’ engagement in physical activity. 96% of participating site staff reported that Good for Me! increased children’s consumption of fruits and vegetables and a decrease in the consumption of fast food and soda ​ Atlanta Choose Health y Life COVID-19 Education, Testing & Vaccination ​ Choose Healthy Life (CHL) is a national response to the disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black communities across the United States. Atlanta Choose Healthy Life is an initiative to fortify community infrastructure in Atlanta and address the COVID-19 pandemic across Black communities. In partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta and Ebenezer Baptist Church, BCDI-Atlanta facilitates the implementation of Atlanta CHL with a group of 10 total partner churches. The goals of CHL are to: Strengthen local networks. Increase long-term community resilience. Save lives. CHL leverages the power of the Black faith-based houses of worship – the most trusted and respected organization in the Black community – to expand access to COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, vaccines, and other health services in underserved communities. Regular testing is critical to addressing COVID-19 disparities in Black communities, which have been hard hit by the COVID crisis. African Americans are 3.5 times more likely to die of COVID than white people, and 7 times more likely to be hospitalized. Testing, even if you do not feel sick, is critical to stopping the spread. The CDC estimates that 40% of COVID-19 cases may be asymptomatic and may unknowingly spread the virus. As vaccinations increase, so will the asymptomatic spread of this deadly disease. Click HERE to Learn More Share Your Vax Story ​ BCDI-Atlanta is collecting personal stories to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and end the pandemic! Please fill in this form, as BCDI-Atlanta would love to share your story about why YOU got vaccinated. We will share and tag you and/or your organization on social media. You may choose to submit a photo and/or a video. ​ Share Story COVID-19 Resources Our Partners