Meet Hairiette of Harlem, the inaugural offering from Big Hair Books! They’re a story-driven literacy system about the misadventures of an impatient 7-year-old named Hairiette and her magic friends. Amid inequities and current efforts to further them—at a time when only 31% of fourth graders are proficient in reading—this founder is leaning into dynamic storytelling and curriculum (including books, a puppet musical, and interactive lessons). Learn more here.

Jumpstart is poised to meet this moment and take bold action to ensure every child enters kindergarten ready to thrive. Under the leadership of new CEO Crystal Rountree, Jumpstart's transformative strategic plan will build on its legacy of expanding access to high-quality early learning while deepening its impact in communities that need it most, scaling evidence-based programs, and strengthening career pathways for future educators to drive lasting change for children, families, and the future of early education. Learn more here.

The National Black Child Development Institute—the preeminent national organization focused on meeting the unique needs of Black children—is mobilizing multi-level advocacy (local, state, national). Through their Afrofuturist Systems Design Process, they are effectively imagining and building an expansive present and future grounded in health, safety and overall well-being for all children. Learn more here.

Our Roots stands by our pregnant and postpartum communities -- including BIPOC, undocumented and other historically overlooked people -- regardless of the political climate. As the need for mental wellness support in our communities during the perinatal period grows, we are committed to supporting and bringing people the joy they deserve through sustainable funding sources including Medicaid in California. Learn more here.

Project Joy—a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating poverty, leading system changes, and catalyzing lives full of joy—is increasing the pipeline of comprehensively trained black nonprofit leaders who are providing equity based solutions and centering holistic health and wellbeing in the black community. Learn more here.

The RISE Center for Liberation in Early Childhood Education is responding to changes in our nation’s ever-evolving and tumultuous political landscape by checking in with our communities in Texas and nationwide frequently and by creating additional anti-racist learning opportunities for members of in our network, the RISE Together Communities of Practice. We will continue to offer clear and practical next steps for our stakeholders who look to us for “the next powerful thing” to do as they work to create liberated early childhood educational experiences for all children. Learn more here.

The Feelings Company: While media inundates children with heavy, often negative content—The Feelings Company is stepping up with high-quality content to help children healthily express their emotions. They create emotional intelligence content for school districts, Head Start, and private daycares. Learn more here.

Unearthing Joy is preparing educators and community leaders to create connections with culturally-centered, nature-based programming for thousands of families. Amid climate concerns, they’re celebrating Indigenous, Black and Other People of the Global Majority through immersive learning experiences. Learn more here.

Wildflower schools provide peaceful, personalized early learning environments across the country. Each school is the life’s work of a team of founding teacher leaders, who weave together Montessori philosophy and methods, their individual passions and experiences, and the context of a particular place to create beautiful, affordable, loving and diverse schools that are opening at a historic pace. Learn more about Wildflower Schools here and Black Wildflowers Fund here.