Eight by Eight initiative logo

Our Eight Essential Outcomes provide a framework for Black child development from birth through age 8.

We envision a world in which every Black child…

Yellow-Brush

Lives And Plays In A Safe Community

Lives in an uplifting community where they can play, explore and thrive
When Black children grow up in safe and supportive physical and social environments, they experience a sense of community that promotes long-term resilience.

Is Born At A Healthy Weight

Is born at a healthy weight,
When Black children are born between 5.5 and 8 pounds, they are more likely to lead healthy lives.

Attends A School That Affirms And Expands Them

Attends a school that affirms and expands them
When Black children participate in schools that support who they are, it expands the potential for who they can become

Is Seen As A Child

Is seen as a child
When Black children are perceived as children, their self expression and imaginative exploration is protected.

Enjoys Meals With Vegetables

Enjoys meals with vegetables
When Black children have access to culturally-relevant meals that provide them with the nutrition they need to grow while honoring their culture, they are more likely to maintain their health and wellbeing.

Breathes Clean Air And Drinks Clean Water

Breathes clean air and drinks clean water

When Black children have sustained access to clean air and water, they are able to develop into strong and healthy adults

Has Books And Toys That Reflect Who They Are And Can Be

Has books and toys that reflect who they are and can be
When Black Children see characters and read stories that reflect who they are, their positive self-identity and self-esteem improve, as well as their empathy and understanding of their own and other cultures.

Hangs Out On A Safe And Appropriate Internet

Hangs out on a safe and appropriate internet
When Black children engage with digital content that is both safe and developmentally appropriate, learning is fun, and they build digital skills.

Lives And Plays In A Safe Community

Is Born At A Healthy Weight

Attends A School That Affirms And Expands Them

Is Seen As A Child

Enjoys Meals With Vegetables

Breathes Clean Air And Drinks Clean Water

Has Books And Toys That Reflect Who They Are And Can Be

Hangs Out On A Safe And Appropriate Internet

NBCDI’S REIMAGINING CHILD CARE INITIATIVE

January                  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Wants Reimagining Child Care grant to the National Black Development institute INBCOIL

NOCDI Focus: Elevate the role of Family Friend, and Neighbor Child Care in the lives of Black children and famil

2022

PHASE 1 — RCC 1.0

NBCDI embarks on planning and implementing a national campaign to educate the public and highlight the benefits of FFN care.

The initiative includes:
1) implementing a digital campaign to promote the history of FFN care and its importance to the Black community:
2) hosting a virtual engagement about FFN care; and
3) mobilizing our National Affiliate Network to advocate for FFN care.

NBCDI compilles research on Black FFN Care to inform the initiative’s activities.

August    Our public awareness campaign is launched in a two-part webinar series, Celebrating the Vital Role of Black Women FPN Providers, beginning with the perspectives of guest speakers from the National Association for Family Child Care and Child Trends.

April      Second webinar of
Celebrating Black Women FFN Providen series presented, with the state level perspectives from three BCDI Villages.

2023

PHASE 2 — RCC 2.0

2024

January            NBCDI awarded second grant to conduct Internal Explorations (monthly presentation and discussion sessions) with BCDI Villages focused on Black FFN care in their communities.

Information gained through expert presentations and BCDI discussions establish the foundation for exploratory data collection in 2025 with Black FFN providers and Black families who use FFN care.

2025

NBCDI’s Policy & Research Team conducts Afrofuturist Explorations (exploratory data collection infused with the principles of Afrofuturism) with Black FFN providers and families in the communities of four RCC Villages.

August           
Explorations completed with Black providers and families, in community, yield information that broadens understanding of the vital role of FFN care for Black families.

Analysis begins of qualitative data shared by providers and families in spoken, written word, and creative art forms about their perspectives and experiences of Black FFN care.

Black FFN Child Care Exhibit featured in NBCDI’s National Conference, providing visitors an immersive view of the history, present, and imagined future of Black FFN care.

2026

Analysis of qualitative data collected in RCC 2.0 Explorations is summarized and shared with the field,

NBCDI’S REIMAGINING CHILD CARE INITIATIVE

January                  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Wants Reimagining Child Care grant to the National Black Development institute INBCOIL

NOCDI Focus: Elevate the role of Family Friend, and Neighbor Child Care in the lives of Black children and famil

NBCDI embarks on planning and implementing a national campaign to educate the public and highlight the benefits of FFN care.

The initiative includes:
1) implementing a digital campaign to promote the history of FFN care and its importance to the Black community:
2) hosting a virtual engagement about FFN care; and
3) mobilizing our National Affiliate Network to advocate for FFN care.

NBCDI compilles research on Black FFN Care to inform the initiative’s activities.

August    Our public awareness campaign is launched in a two-part webinar series, Celebrating the Vital Role of Black Women FPN Providers, beginning with the perspectives of guest speakers from the National Association for Family Child Care and Child Trends.

April      Second webinar of
Celebrating Black Women FFN Providen series presented, with the state level perspectives from three BCDI Villages.

PHASE 2 — RCC 2.0

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

PHASE 1 — RCC 1.0

January            NBCDI awarded second grant to conduct Internal Explorations (monthly presentation and discussion sessions) with BCDI Villages focused on Black FFN care in their communities.

Information gained through expert presentations and BCDI discussions establish the foundation for exploratory data collection in 2025 with Black FFN providers and Black families who use FFN care.

NBCDI’s Policy & Research Team conducts Afrofuturist Explorations (exploratory data collection infused with the principles of Afrofuturism) with Black FFN providers and families in the communities of four RCC Villages.

August           
Explorations completed with Black providers and families, in community, yield information that broadens understanding of the vital role of FFN care for Black families.

Analysis begins of qualitative data shared by providers and families in spoken, written word, and creative art forms about their perspectives and experiences of Black FFN care.

Black FFN Child Care Exhibit featured in NBCDI’s National Conference, providing visitors an immersive view of the history, present, and imagined future of Black FFN care.

Analysis of qualitative data collected in RCC 2.0 Explorations is summarized and shared with the field,

PHASE 1 — RCC 1.0

2022

January                  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Wants Reimagining Child Care grant to the National Black Development institute INBCOIL

NOCDI Focus: Elevate the role of Family Friend, and Neighbor Child Care in the lives of Black children and famil

NBCDI embarks on planning and implementing a national campaign to educate the public and highlight the benefits of FFN care.

The initiative includes:
1) implementing a digital campaign to promote the history of FFN care and its importance to the Black community:
2) hosting a virtual engagement about FFN care; and
3) mobilizing our National Affiliate Network to advocate for FFN care.

2023

NBCDI compilles research on Black FFN Care to inform the initiative’s activities.

August    Our public awareness campaign is launched in a two-part webinar series, Celebrating the Vital Role of Black Women FPN Providers, beginning with the perspectives of guest speakers from the National Association for Family Child Care and Child Trends.

April      Second webinar of
Celebrating Black Women FFN Providen series presented, with the state level perspectives from three BCDI Villages.

PHASE 2 — RCC 2.0

2024

January            NBCDI awarded second grant to conduct Internal Explorations (monthly presentation and discussion sessions) with BCDI Villages focused on Black FFN care in their communities.

Information gained through expert presentations and BCDI discussions establish the foundation for exploratory data collection in 2025 with Black FFN providers and Black families who use FFN care.

2025

NBCDI’s Policy & Research Team conducts Afrofuturist Explorations (exploratory data collection infused with the principles of Afrofuturism) with Black FFN providers and families in the communities of four RCC Villages.

August           
Explorations completed with Black providers and families, in community, yield information that broadens understanding of the vital role of FFN care for Black families.

Analysis begins of qualitative data shared by providers and families in spoken, written word, and creative art forms about their perspectives and experiences of Black FFN care.

Black FFN Child Care Exhibit featured in NBCDI’s National Conference, providing visitors an immersive view of the history, present, and imagined future of Black FFN care.

2026

Analysis of qualitative data collected in RCC 2.0 Explorations is summarized and shared with the field,

NBCDI’S REIMAGINING CHILD CARE INITIATIVE

January
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Wants Reimagining Child Care grant to the National Black Development institute INBCOIL

NOCDI Focus: Elevate the role of Family Friend, and Neighbor Child Care in the lives of Black children and famil

NBCDI embarks on planning and implementing a national campaign to educate the public and highlight the benefits of FFN care.

The initiative includes:
1) implementing a digital campaign to promote the history of FFN care and its importance to the Black community:
2) hosting a virtual engagement about FFN care; and
3) mobilizing our National Affiliate Network to advocate for FFN care.

NBCDI compilles research on Black FFN Care to inform the initiative’s activities.

August
Our public awareness campaign is launched in a two-part webinar series, Celebrating the Vital Role of Black Women FPN Providers, beginning with the perspectives of guest speakers from the National Association for Family Child Care and Child Trends.

April
Second webinar of Celebrating Black Women FFN Providen series presented, with the state level perspectives from three BCDI Villages.

PHASE 2 — RCC 2.0

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

PHASE 1 — RCC 1.0

January
NBCDI awarded second grant to conduct Internal Explorations (monthly presentation and discussion sessions) with BCDI Villages focused on Black FFN care in their communities.

Information gained through expert presentations and BCDI discussions establish the foundation for exploratory data collection in 2025 with Black FFN providers and Black families who use FFN care.

NBCDI’s Policy & Research Team conducts Afrofuturist Explorations (exploratory data collection infused with the principles of Afrofuturism) with Black FFN providers and families in the communities of four RCC Villages.

August           
Explorations completed with Black providers and families, in community, yield information that broadens understanding of the vital role of FFN care for Black families.

Analysis begins of qualitative data shared by providers and families in spoken, written word, and creative art forms about their perspectives and experiences of Black FFN care.

Black FFN Child Care Exhibit featured in NBCDI’s National Conference, providing visitors an immersive view of the history, present, and imagined future of Black FFN care.

Analysis of qualitative data collected in RCC 2.0 Explorations is summarized and shared with the field,

January
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Wants Reimagining Child Care grant to the National Black Development institute INBCOIL

NOCDI Focus: Elevate the role of Family Friend, and Neighbor Child Care in the lives of Black children and famil

NBCDI embarks on planning and implementing a national campaign to educate the public and highlight the benefits of FFN care.

The initiative includes:
1) implementing a digital campaign to promote the history of FFN care and its importance to the Black community:
2) hosting a virtual engagement about FFN care; and
3) mobilizing our National Affiliate Network to advocate for FFN care.

NBCDI compilles research on Black FFN Care to inform the initiative’s activities.

August
Our public awareness campaign is launched in a two-part webinar series, Celebrating the Vital Role of Black Women FPN Providers, beginning with the perspectives of guest speakers from the National Association for Family Child Care and Child Trends.

April
Second webinar of Celebrating Black Women FFN Providen series presented, with the state level perspectives from three BCDI Villages.

PHASE 2 — RCC 2.0

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

PHASE 1 — RCC 1.0

January
NBCDI awarded second grant to conduct Internal Explorations (monthly presentation and discussion sessions) with BCDI Villages focused on Black FFN care in their communities.

Information gained through expert presentations and BCDI discussions establish the foundation for exploratory data collection in 2025 with Black FFN providers and Black families who use FFN care.

NBCDI’s Policy & Research Team conducts Afrofuturist Explorations (exploratory data collection infused with the principles of Afrofuturism) with Black FFN providers and families in the communities of four RCC Villages.

August           
Explorations completed with Black providers and families, in community, yield information that broadens understanding of the vital role of FFN care for Black families.

Analysis begins of qualitative data shared by providers and families in spoken, written word, and creative art forms about their perspectives and experiences of Black FFN care.

Black FFN Child Care Exhibit featured in NBCDI’s National Conference, providing visitors an immersive view of the history, present, and imagined future of Black FFN care.

Analysis of qualitative data collected in RCC 2.0 Explorations is summarized and shared with the field,

Is born at a healthy weight,
When Black children are born between 5.5 and 8 pounds, they are more likely to lead healthy lives.
Test