Small Talks, No. 47

February 18, 2022

Feb 18, 2022

Dear Small Talker,

Welcome to the forty seventh edition of Small Talks. Every Friday, I highlight 6 areas of weekly joys and reflections in early childhood and the whole family. Small Talks leverages my experience at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and impact investing. Enjoy!

This edition is dedicated to past, current, and future Black leaders.

Honor Black History Month with These Awesome Kids' Books | by Darcy Reeder | Family Matters | Medium

What I’m celebrating -

In “Black History Month right now”, Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund and one of our nation’s greatest activist for children, honors Dr. Carter G. Woodson, catalyst for Black History Month in the 1920’s.
“Ensuring that Black Babies Thrive in First 1,000 Days” by Dr. Iheoma Iruka provides an excellent framing on the state of early childhood for Black babies.
For its 90th anniversary, LEGO launches a mega prize focused on early childhood of $143m (yes, $143m). I am deeply honored to serve as a judge. This is exactly the type of audacious philanthropy we need right now- large commitment, innovation-centered and focused on global children needs.
Orion Jean, 11, is named Time’s Kid of the Year: “Ambassador of Kindness.”

Black joy, black joy, black joy will bring a smile.

What I’m listening to -

An incredible discussion between Marian Wright Edelman and Charles Ogletree, Professor of Law at Harvard, on the “cradle to prison pipeline” at the 2009 Aspen Ideas Festival.
- Although the majority of fourth graders cannot read at grade level, states spend about 3x as much money per prisoner as per public school pupil.
- 1 in 3 Black and 1 in 6 Latino boys face imprisonment during their lifetime.

What I’m reading -

“all about love” by bell hooks’s chapter 2 about childhood is a masterpiece.
It starts with:
“We learn about love in childhood. Whether our homes are happy or troubled, our families functional or dysfunctional, it’s the original school of love.”
It ends with:
“Love is as love does. When we love children we acknowledge by our every action that they are not property, that they have rights - that we respect and uphold their rights. Without justice, there can be no love.”

What I’m watching -

This great TED Talk by Riana Elyse Anderson “Vaccinating Children Against the Virus of Racism”. The American Psychological Association and the American Public Health Association have declared racism to be a health crisis. Prevention and intervention efforts to address the “virus” harming Black youth can help. On average, Black youth experience 5 racist aggressions per day.

What I’m learning and exploring more deeply -

In this important piece, Dr. Jack Shonkoff at The Harvard Center on the Developing Child frames how racism in early life can affect long-term health.
This new report from Hope For College highlights racial disparities in basic needs for college students who are also parenting.
- Asian, Black & LatinX parenting students suffer extremely high rates of basic needs insecurity with deleterious effects on their young children.
- Nearly all single Black and LatinX students with young children endure basic needs insecurity.
- Black fathers are struggling significantly, and not getting adequate attention or support.
More learners are at risk for not learning to read than pre-pandemic, especially in grades K–2 (although meaningful progress underway relative to last year).

Quote I am pondering -

“I don’t want a Black history month. Black history is American history.”
— Morgan Freeman

Feedback is a gift. Which part above is your favorite? What did I miss? What do you want more or less of? Other recommendations? Please kindly let me know. Thank to all of you who are sending me amazing suggestions.

Small Talks