Black Child Development- Carolinas

09/02/2026

08/31/2026

Read to Rise™ is family-centered. We equip parents and caregivers with tools, support, and opportunities to help their children reach literacy goals because families are powerful partners in raising strong readers.

From our FREE community book fairs to family literacy experiences and classroom partnerships, we are creating more opportunities for children to choose books, see themselves in stories, experience the joy of reading, and nurture the Afro-Genius™ already within them.

08/28/2026

Did you know? Your membership supports a full-time lobbying team working on your behalf to increase funding and advance high-quality early education in North Carolina.

Coalition members have a voice in public policy. You'll receive the latest updates on federal and state legislation and be able to use our Advocacy Action Center to easily share your ideas with policymakers.

Join today and help us drive change at the General Assembly.

🔗 https://ncearlyeducationcoalition.org/membership/

08/28/2026

Give 8/28 is TODAY! 🖤
We are raising $5,000 to support Read to Rise™, our family-powered literacy initiative that places high-quality, culturally relevant books into the hands, homes, and classrooms of children across the Carolinas.
Every dollar helps us nurture the Afro-Genius™ in every child and build a future where every young reader can see their brilliance reflected on the page.

Help us reach our goal today: https://mtyc.co/ez1e2f

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08/27/2026

If your child is ages 3-5 and ready to be a Castle kid give us a call.
If you are/were on our waiting list now is the time to get in. Calls have gone out as well.

08/27/2026

Public education is strongest when families, educators, advocates, and community partners stand together and speak with a shared voice.

We are proud to join fellow of Public Education for an important coalition meeting focused on strengthening North Carolina’s public schools and preparing our communities for the decisions ahead.

📅 Wednesday, September 30
⏰ 3:30–5:00 p.m.
📍 CharlotteEAST
3400 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC

Every child matters. Educators matter. Families matter. And together, we have the power to protect and strengthen public education.


CharlotteEAST LWV of Charlotte Mecklenburg

08/25/2026

‼️‼️DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER!‼️‼️

We are proud to support Beatties Ford’s Family Childcare Network as it presents the 4th Annual Blessed Up & Bossed Up Women’s Business Retreat on September 12, 2026. This empowering day of networking, professional learning, and community building reflects the network’s inspiring commitment to connection, collaboration, and collective growth. Its members uplift one another while strengthening the broader early care and education community, showing what is possible when educators share knowledge, champion success, and grow together.

Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVO0nB8DyclplV3XmwhpYo5exUk2Lu5F3IIw0gfGp7fb_laQ/viewform?pli=1

08/25/2026

A statement on Dolly Parton from our CEO, Mike Blackwelder: "We are devastated to learn of the passing of Dolly Parton. It is difficult to state how much of an impact Dolly had on this world – she continuously poured herself into others through her music and her philanthropy. She was an amazingly bright light that shared her light with others – not just those around her but with millions of fans who loved her work and millions of children who learned to read because of her.

Personally, I have been a fan of Dolly for my entire life; she has been a constant source of inspiration, positivity, and a reminder of the goodness that can (and should) exist in humanity. My SSMC team and I – along with countless others – are processing this news with shock and grief. It has been, and will continue to be, the greatest honor to help carry on her legacy in a small way; the work of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library will continue to provide early literacy opportunities to young children in our community and around the world. Dolly left this world better than she found it – this is truly a loss for all of us. We will always love you, Dolly." 💛

08/25/2026

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The people who care for and educate our children must also be cared for.

Early Education Workforce Wellbeing and Sustainability is one of our key focus areas because educator wellness directly affects workforce stability and the quality of care children receive.
Events like Harmony in Motion, hosted by Harmony Health Therapeutic Services, remind us that wellness isn't separate from the work; it sustains the people doing it. Creating space to rest, reset, and reconnect helps early educators and caregivers continue showing up for children, families, and communities.

Join Harmony Health Therapeutic Services for this free community wellness event:

📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
⏰ 1:00–4:00 p.m.
📍 Harmony Health Backyard
7926 Robinson Church Road

Healthy children need healthy, supported adults, and a sustainable early education workforce begins with making educator well-being a priority.



08/25/2026