Search Results

MEMBERSHIP 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 BCD I-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. Keeps You Connected Affiliates- Join one of nearly 20 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!

DONATE As a nonprofit organization, we depend on your gifts to continue our work. Consider a donation! For paper checks, make payable to BCDI-Atlanta . Mailing Address: 470 Dacula Rd. #2270, Dacula, GA 30019 ​ For invoice requests or questions, please send an email to our accounting team at accounting@bcdiatlanta.org DONATE

CHILD WELFARE What We Do "There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace." - Kofi Annan ​ BCDI-Atlanta promotes the improvement of the child welfare system by coordinating outreach, pr ograms, and activities that focus on prevention and effective, supportive, culturally competent care of children in all settings. As part of our mission to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and families, we are committed to addressing multiple aspects of the child welfare system, with a focus on prevention and effective, supportive, culturally competent care. To help support the transformation of child welfare systems, BCDI-Atlanta commits to the following priorities: 1. Ensure culture is recognized, respected and reflected in child welfare practices, by integrating culturally responsive professional development into social work and kinship care support. Learn about BCDI-Atlanta's Lifted Voices program . ​ 2. Engage in effective prevention efforts, including parenting and family support practices, to keep Black children safely in their homes and reduce the number of Black children removed from their homes. Learn more BCDI-Atlanta's Powerful Families and Strength Within programs.

PUBLICATIONS Nurture News Blog Impact Report

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.

ANNUAL REPORTS 2023 (Q1)

Training Self-paced Online Literacy Course ​ An Extension of our Literacy P rogramming ​ ​ BCDI-Atlanta’s Culturally Responsive Literacy Course equips early educators with information and resources necessary for building relationships and experiences that support the needs of young learners and their parents. ​ Course completers can apply to receive FREE books, thanks to our Read to Succeed partnerships. ​ ​ Learn More & Register Strength Within Self-paced Online Course Trauma Informed Care Support for Early Educators & Child Advocates ​ This self-paced professional development opportunity serves as Tier 2 of our trauma informed care support for early educators and child advocates to increase the knowledge and skills of adults with Black children in their lives. Learn More & Register

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

Meet Our Team Dr. Bisa Batten Lewis President Dr. Shirleta Lawrence Director of Programs

NEWS EVENTS 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 its 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, health, and family engagement. ​ Read More Our Focus Read More BCDI-Atlanta seeks to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and their families through education and advocacy in these six NBCDI focus areas, accordingly. Family Engagement Promote family engagement as a long-term commitment. Child Welfare Promote the improvement of the child welfare system. Coordinate outreach, programs, and activities that focus on prevention and effective, supportive, culturally competent care of children in all settings. Early Childhood Education Promote the equitable distribution of quality across the birth to eight continuum and the connection between early childhood settings and elementary schools. Health and Wellness Promote culturally relevant healthy nutrition and preventative wellness practices among families. Coordinate outreach, programs and activities to engage, educate, and empower. 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. Major Event National Black Child Development Institute's Historic 50th Anniversary Conference Learn More National Black Child Development Institute's Historic 50th Anniversary Conference Programs-Home Tickets Support Us As a nonprofit organization, we depend on your gifts to continue our work. Consider a donation! Donate #e1d5c5 #edc7a2 #e1c19e #ca8342 #cc6633 #a7623b #a4541c #7e411c #bd132d #48234b #e4790b #106f7d

CALENDAR Calendar