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Since 1976, the month of February has officially been designated as Black History Month. Today, Black History Month continues to be a time to honor the achievements, contributions and legacy of African Americans. We honor activists and civil rights pioneers from Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Martin Luther King Jr. to leaders in medicine and science, industry, politics, the arts, education, and many more.
As the Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles, we cannot let Black History Month pass without acknowledging the systemic racial disparities that are prevalent throughout society today, including in the early care and education workforce. According to Lea Austin and others at the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, “The historical and pervasive undervaluing of labor performed by women and minorities in the United States has combined to create one of the most underpaid workforces in the country: those who care for and teach young children.”
These statistics about the incredible child care heroes who support our youngest learners are particularly alarming when you learn that, “nationally, African American early educators in particular earn less than their peers across racial groups and settings. Even after controlling for educational attainment, African American educators still earn an average of $0.78 less per hour than white early educators, which means $1,622.40 less per year for a full-time, full-year worker.”(For more see Austin et. al, 2019 –Racial Wage Gaps in Early Education Employment)
We must continue the work led by civil rights leaders and activists to advocate for the rights of our African America education colleagues, as we work to break through the ceiling of oppression and racism under which they currently live and work.
Please join the Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles in honoring the history and many contributions and Black/African Americans and the significance of this month and lend your voice to elevating the challenges currently faced by Black educators.
To learn more about the incredible contributions of African Americans to our country and community, consider visiting the following :
To learn more about working on behalf of social justice and change, visit:
To support your work with diverse children and families, visit:
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