September 2025 Newsletter

National Voter Registration Day is September 16, 2025.

National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan effort to ensure every eligible American is prepared to vote. Here’s how you can take action today:

Check your status: Confirm that you’re registered and your information is up to date.

Update your info: If you’ve moved, changed your name, or need to adjust your details, make those updates now.

Visit the website to complete any of these steps.

Your vote is your voice — make sure it’s heard and encourage others to do the same!

Learn How, Where & When to Vote

Throwback to our Keeping Us Safe Activity Guide!

This month, we’re spotlighting two engaging and age-appropriate activities from our Keeping Us Safe Activity Guide—a powerful, informative resource developed to help children build safety awareness through play-based learning and cultural relevance.

The guide offers a wide range of activities for children ages 0–5 and 6–8, supporting families, caregivers, and educators as they nurture critical thinking, personal responsibility, and community care in everyday life.

DOWNLOAD HERE

THIS MONTH'S SPOTLIGHTS:

2-3 Year Olds - "Safe or Not?" Sorting: A simple way to help toddlers develop their critical thinking and early decision-making skills!

7-Year-Old - Making Safe Routes: A fun way to help children build spatial awareness and confidence in making safe choices in their environment!

These featured activities are just a small sample of what’s available in the full Keeping Us Safe Activity Guide. Designed with Black children and families in mind, the guide is rich with tools that celebrate culture, strengthen safety, and inspire learning.

We’d love to see how you bring these moments to life—send us your pictures and videos of the activities in action, and your family may be featured on our social media platforms!

Let’s celebrate learning, laughter, and quality time—together.

COMPLETE THE PUBLICATION SURVEY

L.E.A.N. Lattes & Learning

Beyond the Welcome: Strategies for Deep Family Connections in Early Childhood

If you influence early childhood education—whether in the classroom, the boardroom, or the community—this session will give you the tools to turn a simple welcome into a lasting, equity-driven family partnership.

The Leadership, Equity, and Advancement Network (LEAN) brings together early childhood professionals, leaders, and advocates committed to shaping stronger, more equitable systems for children and families.

This interactive two-hour session will move beyond surface-level greetings to explore how leaders at every level of ECE—from classroom educators to administrators, policymakers, and community partners—can cultivate lasting, meaningful family connections.

Through targeted mini-presentations and small-group discussions, you’ll:

Examine the role of leadership in creating inclusive, welcoming environments for all families

Explore equity-focused strategies to ensure every voice is heard and valued

Develop at least three actionable engagement practices you can apply immediately—whether in classrooms, programs, or policy initiatives

Why this matters for YOU:

Leaders & Administrators: Strengthen program culture and inspire staff to prioritize authentic family engagement

Educators: Gain practical, relationship-building tools to better connect with families

Advocates & Policymakers: Learn how policy and community initiatives can foster deeper partnerships with families

Come ready to share, learn, and walk away with concrete steps to transform “welcome” into long-term connection and collaboration.

Date: September 12, 2025

Time: 12 Noon - 2:00 PM ET

NBCDI’s 2025 National Conference is coming to Atlanta. All advocators, educators, parents, policymakers, and visionaries like you, are invited to be part of this transformational moment.

This year’s theme is Infinite Possibilities. Tangible Realities invites us to boldly imagine and collectively build a world where Black children thrive.

Together, we’ll engage in powerful conversations, honor culture and community, and activate real solutions across education, health, and justice.

Date: October 24–26, 2025

Venue: Signia Hotel Atlanta

The NBCDI Book, Toy & Media Awards celebrates books, toys, and media that uplift and affirm Black children and families through positive representation and cultural pride.

Date & Time: October 25, 2025 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM ET

Venue: The Dogwood at Westside Paper

Attire: Cocktail Attire

LEARN MORE & REGISTER NOW!

Thank you, the Successful Black Parenting Magazine!

BCDI-Atlanta extends heartfelt gratitude to Successful Black Parenting Magazine for their generous donation of 800 books! Your support helps us inspire a love for reading and empower children with the tools they need to thrive.

Did you know? Successful Black Parenting Magazine was the first national print magazine for Black parents and is now an online publication for families raising Black children. Their mission is to help families thrive by providing expert advice, parenting tips, and culturally relevant stories that uplift and empower.

LEARN MORE!

Storytime with Dr. Sheila

Where Every Child Discovers They Are Brave, Bold & Brilliant!

Step into a world where books come alive! Through Storytime with Dr. Sheila, children ages 3–10 are invited to experience the joy of reading in a space designed to spark imagination, build confidence, and nurture a lifelong love of learning.

Dr. Sheila, an award-winning educator, author, and advocate for early literacy, brings warmth and enthusiasm to every session.

Each week, young readers enjoy:

Captivating read-aloud that make stories leap off the page
Positive affirmations to inspire confidence and self-worth
Creative activities that encourage imagination and curiosity
Encouragement to lead and achieve through the power of reading

With Storytime, books aren’t just read; they shine. Every child is reminded that they are brave, bold, brilliant, and ready to dream big.

For free resources, fun literacy tools, and the latest updates on upcoming Storytime session, visit the website.

Stay connected, stay inspired, and help your child grow into a confident and joyful reader!

WATCH STORYTIME WITH DR. SHEILA HERE!

LEARN MORE!

Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS)

Early Childhood Changemakers Initiative

Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS) is offering a new Early Childhood Changemakers initiative.

Changemakers is designed to identify and support parents, caregivers, and local leaders who are passionate about advocating for improvements in early learning, health, and family systems across Georgia. They are now recruiting Changemakers from Augusta, Columbus, and Statesboro. Through training, coaching, and connection to networks of influence, Changemakers are equipped to amplify their voices and drive meaningful change in their communities.

LEARN MORE!

Georgia Child Care Association (GCCA) welcomes Wei-Li Chong, President of Otter Learning, as the opening speaker at this year’s Blueprint to Brilliance: The Directors & Owners Success Toolkit Conference

Date & Time: September 14–15, 2025

Venue: UGA Center for Continuing Education and Hotel, Athens, GA

Whether you're managing multiple centers or leading a single site, this is the leadership reset you’ve been waiting for. Join GCCA at Blueprint to Brilliance and start your day with clarity, strategy, and inspiration.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER NOW!

Burnout, Balance & Being Dad: How to Thrive!

BCDI-Atlanta is proud to share a free webinar from Quality Care for Children designed to support fathers in balancing the demands of parenting while prioritizing well-being.

Date & Time: Thursday, September 18, 2025 |12:00 PM | Zoom

This engaging session will provide strategies to reduce stress, create balance, and build smoother daily routines—helping dads show up fully for their families.

Featured Panelists

Khari Arnold – Founder of The Library Dads & Managing Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery/TNT Sports

Alfred Boyd IV – Educator, DeKalb County Public Schools

Moderator

Lamont Jones – Co-Founder of The Furthering Fathering Corporation, Master Certified Life Coach & Anger Management Specialist

Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health

Birth to Five 2025 Conference

With the theme Unwavering Commitment, this gathering will bring together professionals from across Georgia dedicated to supporting the mental and emotional health of infants, toddlers, and families. This event brings together child- and family-serving professionals from across the state—united in their commitment to building emotionally healthy children and families.

Date & Time: November 12, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM ET

Venue: Georgia State University

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and strengthen your impact.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER NOW!

This forum is space for early education stakeholders to connect and share with each other. Start by introducing yourself with areas of interest, posting your relative content, sharing media, or information for advancing equity in early care and education.

LEARN MORE!

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