In 2012, the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) launched the “State of the Black Child” Initiative. The goal of this initiative is to create effective resources that challenge the prevailing discourse about Black children—one that overemphasizes limitations and deficits rather than drawing upon the considerable strengths, assets, and resilience demonstrated by our children, families, and communities. This initiative resulted in the release of our national report followed by state-based reports from Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

Supported by the United Parcel Service (UPS) Foundation, BCDI-Chicago has partnered with the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) and Raising A Reader (RAR) to implement their award-winning early literacy program, Raising A Reader. This program is proven to support families in understanding the importance of regular “book sharing,” fostering children’s love of reading and promoting at-home literacy routines. The goal of this partnership is to empower Black families with effective and practical knowledge, tools, and resources to equip their young children with the early language and literacy skills needed to ensure their early academic success.

BCDI-Chicago holds general Affiliate membership meetings on a quarterly basis. Members receive a three-week email notice with the date, time, and location of all meetings.  We offer additional opportunities for members:

• To make professional connections.
• To serve on committees.
• To work on direct service programs.
• To share thoughts and ideas.
• To receive mentoring and coaching from other professionals.
• To attend and participate in local and national professional conferences.

BCDI-Chicago recently hosted an all-day Professional Development Conference for early care and education professionals in Illinois on Saturday, November 12, 2016. Topics included family engagement; early care and education administration; early childhood development; cultural awareness; health, safety, and wellness; and literacy and mathematics development.