Instagram story viewer> @blackececa> Posts

Black Californians United for Early Care and Education

@blackececa

1K

followers

145

following

A powerful coalition organizing our influence to ensure California’s ECE system is culturally affirming for Black children, families, and educators.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

COMMENT "#PAYBLACKWOMEN" TO GET A LINK TO OUR POLICY AGENDA!

Three years ago, we made a promise to show up for Black children, Black families, and Black early childhood professionals — not just in our communities, but in the halls where policy is made. On April 29th, we kept that promise again.

Our 3rd Annual Lift Every Voice Advocacy Day brought us back to the California State Capitol, where we walked with intention, spoke with clarity, and refused to be ignored. We met with legislative offices across the building — from Senator Smallwood-Cuevas to Assemblymembers Bonta, Solache, Pérez, Lee, and Jackson — carrying our 2026 Policy Agenda and the voices of every Black family and educator we represent.

Economic Justice. Cultural Affirmation. Every year, we get louder. Every year, the roots grow deeper. by @blackececa

30

5

4 months ago

Black women are the original early educators of America.

They cared for children through slavery, through Jim Crow, through every era of exclusion — and they were still left out of California's Reparations Task Force Report.

We're changing that conversation. Join us. 🖤

Repair the Roots | June 22 | 10 AM PT | Zoom
Register: bit.ly/RepairTheRoots

#RepairTheRoots #ReparationsNow #BlackECE #ECEForReparations by @blackececa

19

0

4 months ago

We were at the Capitol yesterday. And we had something to say.

BlackECE's annual Staff Advocacy Day brought us directly to California's legislative offices to advance our 2026 Policy Agenda. Two priorities that are non-negotiable for us:

💲 Economic Justice
From supporting the California Reparations Task Force recommendations and ensuring ECE is included in reparations legislation, to demanding a cost-based rate system that reimburses providers for the true cost of care — we're fighting for the resources and recognition that Black ECE professionals have long been denied. Our babies deserve educators who are paid their worth, supported in their growth, and sustained in this field.

🤎 Cultural Affirmation
We're pushing the conversation beyond culturally responsive — and into culturally affirming. Black children deserve to be seen, valued, and proud of who they are inside every early learning space. That means centering Black culture and language, recognizing Black English as the rule-governed language it is, dismantling anti-Blackness in ECE, and building a mixed delivery system that truly serves Black families.

Every conversation we had yesterday was for our children. Every ask we made was rooted in love and backed by evidence.

Find our 2026 Policy Agenda on our website at www.blackece.org/policyagenda by @blackececa

46

9

6 months ago

Mike Browne (he/him) is The Brotha Who Expands Our Reach at BlackECE.

He is a New York–raised, Afro-Caribbean educator, coach, consultant, and storyteller. He co-hosts Napcast, a podcast on early learning, race, and social justice, and Parallel Play, the Office of Head Start’s national podcast on toddler development. A former tap dancer and collegiate athlete, Mike lived and worked in London, Spain, and across the U.S., bringing a justice-centered, relational approach to early learning. He centers his work on ancestral wisdom with a modern twist, adapting the lessons of the past to guide children, families, and educators in reclaiming culturally grounded practices and joy in learning today. Tune into Napcast wherever you get your podcasts, and follow on Instagram @napcast206 or LinkedIn.

https://blackece.org/our-offerings/ by @blackececa

17

2

17 days ago

Did you catch a glimpse of our Library Book Bags this week? 📚

From the Welcome Reception on Sunday to our session on the Ancestral Coaching Model Monday afternoon, our Library Book Bags were on full display at the 2026 First 5 California Summit, and the response was everything we hoped for.

These bags are more than a collection of books. They're a tool for cultural affirmation, filled with stories that reflect the brilliance, history, and joy of Black children and families. Every title is chosen with intention, because representation in early literacy isn't optional. It's foundational.

Seeing attendees stop, flip through the pages, and connect with what's inside reminded us exactly why this work matters.

Ready to bring the Library Book Bags into your home, classroom, or program?
Shop the collection at www.blackece.store by @blackececa

10

0

a month ago

Our session at the First 5 California Summit, Reimagining Workforce Stability and Family Engagement: The Ancestral Coaching Model as a Catalyst for Universal, High-Quality Child Care, brought together educators, advocates, and leaders for a timely conversation about what it will actually take to build a stable, thriving early learning workforce.

Mike Browne, Samantha Thompson, Dr. Ash Williams, and Lisa Wilson led attendees through the Ancestral Coaching Model, a culturally affirming, relationship-centered framework that shifts coaching from compliance-driven practice to reflective, human-centered leadership development.

As California moves toward universal child care, this work is a reminder that systems change starts with the people doing the work every day. Grateful to everyone who joined the conversation!

Stay connected with us to learn more!

#First5CASummit #BlackECE by @blackececa

19

1

a month ago

Reimagining Workforce Stability & Family Engagement: The Ancestral Coaching Model as a Catalyst for Universal, High-Quality Child Care was everything we hoped for and more.

Samantha Thompson, Dr. Ash Williams, Lisa Wilson, Mike Browne brought the room in with real talk about coaching, identity, emotional safety, and what it actually takes to build a workforce that stays and thrives.

The energy, the reflection, the connection… you can feel it in every clip.

If this is the first time you’re learning about the Ancestral Coaching Model, welcome. There’s so much more to come.

#BlackECE #First5Summit #AncestralCoachingModel #EarlyChildhoodEducation #UniversalChildCare taken in Anaheim, California by @blackececa

19

1

a month ago

Last night's Welcome Reception was everything. 🥂✨

BlackECE proudly co-hosted the kickoff to the First 5 CA Summit with Zero to Three. Good people, good energy, good vibes.

If you missed it, don't miss our session today at 2:40 PM 👇

Reimagining Workforce Stability & Family Engagement: The Ancestral Coaching Model as a Catalyst for Universal, High-Quality Child Care

📍 Platinum 2
🕝 2:40 PM

Come learn how ACM is reshaping coaching, retention, and family connection in early childhood education.

Come kick it with us!
@zerotothree @first5california

#BlackECE #First5Summit #AncestralCoachingModel #UniversalChildCare #BlackEducators by @blackececa

37

0

a month ago

Thank you to everyone who came through the 2026 First 5 California Summit Opening Reception!

If you didn’t get a chance to stop by our table and see our offerings up close, visit www.blackece.org/our-offerings to learn more!

And remember, if you received a BlackECE Affirmation Card, check the Whova app conference updates to see if your card number was selected in the raffle!

@first5california taken in Anaheim, California by @blackececa

29

1

a month ago

Come see us when you check in at the 2026 First 5 California Summit: Their Futures First.

Opening Reception starts in 20 minutes!
@first5california @first5alameda @first5sanbernardino @first5fresno @first5solano @first5la taken in Anaheim, California by @blackececa

35

4

a month ago

Come see us!

On Monday, August 31st, our team is leading a session at the First 5 California Summit: Reimagining Workforce Stability and Family Engagement: The Ancestral Coaching Model as a Catalyst for Universal, High-Quality Child Care.

Lisa Wilson, Dr. Ash Williams, and Samantha Thompson will introduce the Ancestral Coaching Model, a culturally affirming, relationship-centered coaching framework built to strengthen educator retention, family engagement, and instructional quality.

📍 Platinum 2
🕝 2:40 PM – 3:05 PM
@first5california

Come learn what it looks like to build early learning systems where educators thrive, and families trust the process. by @blackececa

30

2

a month ago

Coming to the First 5 CA Summit? Come sit with us!

Our team is leading a session on the Ancestral Coaching Model, a coaching approach that centers identity, emotional safety, and belonging for early educators. It's about building trust, not just building systems.

Join our very own Samantha Thompson, Dr. Ash Williams, and Lisa Wilson for an interactive workshop full of reflection, practical tools, and real talk about what educators and families actually need.

Monday, August 31st. 2:40 PM. Platinum 2.
See you there! taken in Anaheim, California by @blackececa

9

0

a month ago