The organization I selected was the National Black
Child Development Institute. For more than 40 years, the National Black Child
Development Institute (NBCDI) has been at the forefront of engaging leaders,
policymakers, professionals, and parents around critical and timely issues that
directly impact Black children and their families. NBCDI’s mission is to improve and advance the
quality of life for Black children and their families through education and
advocacy. NBCDI envisions a society that ensures a successful
future for all children.
Historically,
NBCDI has built a strong reputation for its work in early care and education
and child welfare. Over the years, their mission has benefited millions
of children and their families. As a leading organization working on
behalf of children of color, NBCDI’s future is about growth and sustainability,
forging new boundaries and promoting strengths-based programs and policies that
lift up our children in the context of their families, communities and
cultures.NBCDI newest publication “Being Black is Not a Risk Factor” focuses on how we can support the development of Black children by focusing on their unique strengths. This publication lists “the challenges facing African American children and families and the failure of various systems to address their needs, it also tells the story of resiliency in the face of despair. It is about the risks and the successes of Black families who love and protect their children to the best of their ability. It is also about what African Americans and the larger society can do to ensure a better tomorrow. What is provided here is a handbook for families and community helpers such as teachers, librarians, coaches and policemen, giving them the information they need to recognize the strength of the community and to design services that build on those strengths” (Bowman, 2013).
After reading
this article, I learned that there are many statistics for black families and
their children. Black children face many challenges now and in the future, but
we, as teachers, can do all we can to help them have positive and successful outcomes.
Also, even though black children have many challenges, they also have many strengths
that can help them overcome the challenges.
Link to
organization: http://www.nbcdi.org/who-we-are/who-we-are
Bowman, B. T. (2013). Being Black
Is Not A Risk Factor. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from http://www.nbcdi.org/sites/default/files/resource-files/Being%20Black%20Is%20Not%20a%20Risk%20Factor_0.pdf
LaShaunda,
ReplyDeleteI also focused on the "Being Black Is Not A Risk Factor" article, which I found to be filled with useful statistics and information regarding the education of Black children. I enjoyed reading the article, as I was able to use it as a self-assessment tool for my own interactions with Black children. I was saddened upon reading that most adults across races have lower expectations for Black children than they do for White children. As a Caucasian teacher, I like to think that I am "color blind" and that I treat all my students with equal amounts of respect, regardless of their race. However, I don't think it hurts to use articles, such as this one, as an instrument to "check" ourselves to ensure our thoughts, attitudes, and biases are in agreement with our teaching philosophies.
Pamela
LaShaunda NBCDI is one of my favorite organizations that I am a member of. They have many affiliates.The Affiliates are the heart of their organization. In over twenty communities across the nation, these volunteer-driven networks partner with children, families and other organizations to implement culturally-relevant and research-based programs promoting literacy, health, juvenile justice, parent engagement and college-readiness, while advocating for better, stronger and more effective policies for children ages 0-8 at the local, state and federal level. The publication on Being Black Is Not A Risk Factor is right on point. There are many folks out there that can learn something from this.
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