PEC welcomes Dr. Iheoma Iruka as the keynote speaker. Framed through the Black Child National Agenda, this presentation elevates the cultural wealth of Black families and other families of color as they continue to deal with the global pandemic, systemic racism, and other inequities. To address systemic inequality, we must attend to child and family health support, economic stability, and upward mobility, as well as equitable access, experiences, and outcomes in early learning spaces for young children and their families. Participants will be asked to examine how they protect children and families from trauma and stress, promote their health, wealth, and educational excellence, and preserve their cultural identity and assets. Participants will examine how reaching equity requires interrogating and eradicating racism and other systemic inequities in the lives of children, families, and communities. The Black Child National Agenda will be centered in the presentation as an example of what it will take to ensure the transformation of policies and systems to work for marginalized communities.
Dr. Iruka’s presentation will be followed by a panel discussion. Panelists include:
- Barbara Poppe, former Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. Ms. Poppe works to develop the capacity of communities and organizations to tackle complex issues through collaboration and a systems approach that achieves results and community impact. Ms. Poppe will share experiences of how the homeless system worked with the healthcare system to improve maternal health of families experiencing homelessness.
- Sadie Sprague-Lott, Education Coordinator for Families Forward Philadelphia will discuss her experiences working with young children in shelter
- Ms. Shante Brown, Acting Deputy Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning will share what the Commonwealth is doing to support young children experiencing homelessness.
