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National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
At BCDI-Atlanta, we know that true community well-being is impossible without mental health equity. Racial and ethnic minority communities often face unique and systemic barriers to diagnosis, quality treatment, and accessible care. This month, we invite our entire village to join us in supporting Better Mental Health Through Better Understanding.
Understanding is the first step toward healing. We encourage you to explore valuable, culturally sensitive resources, personal stories, and toolkits designed to support the mental health needs of diverse communities. Let’s continue to uplift one another and ensure that mental health equity becomes a reality for every community!
Explore NAMI’s Minority Mental Health Resources
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Join Us for Family Literacy Night!
Mark your calendars for a very special BCDI-Atlanta Family Literacy Night! We are bringing a spectacular storytime experience straight to your living room, completely free of charge. Dinosaurs! has been officially selected as this year's feature book for the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club (MSRC)—an incredible initiative for children ages birth to five convened by GEEARS (The Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students).
This month, we are thrilled to welcome a phenomenal guest reader to our village: Olivia Aston Bosworth, author of the children's book, Dinosaurs! During our virtual session, we will be modeling research-based, interactive reading methods that make language meaningful, fun, and engaging for your little ones!
📅 Event Details:
- When: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Virtual (The Zoom link will be sent directly to your email upon registration)
- Ages: Perfect for educators and families with children ages 0–8!
Don't miss this opportunity to foster a love for reading, spark your child's imagination, and connect with fellow parents and educators in our community.
Register Today!
To learn more about the city-wide initiative and find more summer book club reads near you, visit the GEEARS MSRC Page.
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Join us for Every Voice Counts Community Café
Join BCDI-Atlanta for an engaging and interactive virtual Community Café where we'll explore how families can use their voices to create brighter futures for children.
Advocacy isn't just about elections or politics—it's about ensuring our children have access to quality education, safe and nurturing environments, equitable opportunities, and the support they need to thrive. Whether you're speaking with a teacher, attending a school meeting, asking questions about your child's education, or sharing your experiences with community leaders, your voice matters.
📅 Event Details:
- Date: Tuesday, August, 11, 2026
- Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM ET
- Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Click Here to RSVP and Secure Your Spot!
We truly hope you can join us. Remember: Every voice matters, and every child benefits when families speak up. We look forward to sharing this space with you!
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NPU Parent Voice Blog:
Building the Bridge Together
In the National Parents Union (NPU) latest Parent Voice blog post, BCDI-Atlanta President, Tatjyana Elmore, shares her raw, powerful journey of stepping into executive leadership without a roadmap. Drawing from her roots as a Head Start teacher and center director, Tatjyana shines a light on a critical truth: when educational leaders are unsupported, the crisis trickles down—leaving teachers burned out and families stranded without a map.
If we want an early childhood education system truly designed for the brilliance of our children, we must stop forcing the adults in their lives to survive on grit alone.
Read the full article on the Parent Voice Blog here!
Join the Movement: Stand with the National Parents Union
No parent or advocate should have to build their bridge alone. The National Parents Union (NPU) is a united, independent network of parents, kinship caregivers, and grassroots activists across all 50 states fighting to ensure that education is a civil right for every child. They disrupt traditional systems of oppression by centering parent leadership and translating family priorities directly into powerful local, state, and federal policies.
When you join the NPU Network, you gain access to regional resources, national advocacy initiatives, and a community dedicated to educational equity, justice, and family economic mobility.
Transforming education starts with our collective voice. Don't sit on the sidelines—become an individual member or partner organization today!
Click here to join the National Parents Union Network
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Introducing the New BCDI-Atlanta Online Store!
We are thrilled to launch the BCDI-Atlanta Online Store officially! Now, you can wear your advocacy on your sleeve while directly fueling the movement for Black children and families in our community.
Why Your Purchase Matters
Every item in our exclusive merchandise collection is more than just high-quality apparel or gear; it is an investment in our village. 100% of the proceeds from our store go directly toward supporting BCDI-Atlanta’s local programs, advocacy efforts, and community initiatives.
When you shop with us, you are:
- Funding literacy initiatives such as our Read to Succeed Program and Family Literacy Nights.
- Supporting educator professional development through our Expand ECE Fellowship program.
- Amplifying the voices of local advocates working tirelessly for early childhood equity.
Whether you are looking for the perfect gift for an educator, a statement piece for your next community event, or a daily reminder that our children matter, we have something special for you. Browse our new store, grab your favorite gear, and show the world that you stand with BCDI-Atlanta.
Visit the BCDI-Atlanta Shop Here
Thank you for shopping with purpose and supporting our mission!
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Welcome to the New NBCDI Engagement System (NES)!
BCDI-Atlanta is entering a bold new chapter. As our movement for Black children and families gains strength, we are evolving how we organize, advocate, and grow together. To amplify our collective voice, we are thrilled to introduce the NBCDI Engagement System (NES)—our new digital infrastructure designed to strengthen member engagement and mobilize for lasting change.
Why NES?
NES is more than just a membership portal; it is the engine that turns local leadership into coordinated action. By activating your account, you help us streamline our advocacy efforts and ensure that the Atlanta Village remains a powerful force for progress.
Choose Your Membership
Ready to join the movement or renew your commitment? Select the membership level that fits you best and join us in NES today:
Let’s mobilize for the future. We'll see you in the system!
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Legacy Rise Academy First Annual Book Bash.
Legacy Rise Academy and BCDI-Atlanta collaborated to host the First Annual Book Bash. At Legacy Rise Academy, every scholar graduates the program as a published author. This achievement is not just about creating a book; it is a powerful declaration that their voices matter, their stories deserve to be told, and their dreams know no limits.
The BCDI-Atlanta Read to Succeed program provided 1,055 culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate children's books to encourage the formation of home libraries. Additionally, scholars received 160 STEAM kits donated by Brown Toy Box, which empowers children to explore, imagine, and pursue future-ready careers.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the vendors who helped scholars see themselves through their encouragement. Thank you for believing in our mission to cultivate legacy, leadership, and limitless possibilities for every child we serve.
Legacy Rise Academy is dedicated to creating a literacy lounge with 6,000 books and helping students with the process of writing and publishing their own books. If you're interested in donating books, please email info@legacyriseacademy.com.
Learn more about Legacy Rise Academy
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Expand ECE Fellowship Apply Now!
We are excited to offer a unique opportunity for individuals passionate about early childhood education. Our fellowship program is designed to support and empower future educators through hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional development.
Program Highlights:
- Hands-On Experience: Engage in culturally responsive early childhood education practices.
- Mentorship: Receive guidance from experienced educators and professionals in the field.
- Professional Development: Participate in opportunities that enhance your skills and expand your professional network.
- Education Coaching: Fellows will be assigned to an education coach to support their academic journey toward an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Education.
Who Should Apply:
- Individuals passionate about making a difference in early education.
- Those seeking to engage with their communities and advocate for positive change.
- Educators aspiring to grow professionally and expand their impact.
Apply Today!
Take the next step in your career and join our transformative fellowship program.
Learn more and apply.
FAQ
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BCDI-Atlanta Summer Fridays
At BCDI-Atlanta, we believe that mental health matters—not just for the families we serve, but for the dedicated team that supports them.
To honor this commitment, we will be observing Summer Fridays from June through August. Our offices will be closed on Fridays during these months to allow our staff time to rest, recharge, and prioritize a healthy work-life balance.
We encourage our entire community to take a moment this summer to breathe, unplug, and nurture your own well-being.
Office Hours (June – August):
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Monday – Thursday: Open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
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Friday: Closed for Summer Fridays
Thank you for your continued support as we practice the self-care we advocate for every day!
| | Tap any of the Community Engagement photos to get the latest updates on our local partnerships and upcoming events. | | |
What should public education look like in Georgia?
Join educators, students, parents, advocates, and community leaders for an evening of inspiration, learning, and collective visioning about the future of public education in our state.
Together, we'll hear from visionary speakers who are advancing bold education change, learn from successful efforts to protect and strengthen public schools in the South, and engage in a participatory visioning process to imagine what every child and every community deserves.
This is an opportunity to move beyond debates about scarcity and toward a shared vision for thriving schools, strong communities, and a Georgia where every student has what they need to learn, belong, and flourish.
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