Your Voice Matters: BCDI Atlanta Needs You!

Join Us: BCDI-Atlanta October Quarterly Meeting!

Mark your calendars! BCDI-Atlanta invites parents, educators, and community advocates to our upcoming Quarterly Meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. We are bringing together key leaders in early education, advocacy, and policy to discuss critical topics impacting our children and families, spanning Family Engagement, Literacy, Early Care & Education, and Public Policy.

Decisions about school funding, early learning standards, and community resources are being made right now. If we aren't at the table advocating for Black children, others will make those decisions for us. We are bringing three featured speakers in education, funding, and parent advocacy directly to our village:

Featured Speakers:

Jason B. Allen – National Parents Union
Allison Setterlind – Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
Erin Robinson – Georgia Budget and Policy Institute

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Virtual (Register at bcdiatlanta.org/events)

This is your opportunity to ask tough questions, understand state budgets, and influence the legislative priorities that impact your home and classroom. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, engage with policy experts, and help strengthen our village!

RSVP Today!

Vote for Black Children:
Your 2026 Georgia Midterm Voter Guide

As the upcoming midterms approach, our collective voice at the ballot box is essential to advancing policies that directly impact our children and families. Voting directly influences decisions around equitable school funding, access to quality healthcare, nutritious food, and safe environments.

Key Dates to Remember:

Early Voting: October 13, 2026 – October 30, 2026
General Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Key Voter Checklist:

Check Your Registration & Polling Place: Confirm your status and find your assigned location on the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.
Bring Valid Photo ID: Acceptable forms include a valid Georgia Driver’s License (even if expired), standard state/federal photo ID, U.S. passport, or student ID from a Georgia public college or university.
Know Your Rights: If you encounter any issues at the polls, contact the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

Make a plan to vote early or on Election Day because when we vote, we vote for the future of our children!

Download the Georgia Midterm Voter Education Guide

BCDI-Atlanta’s Family Empowerment Program

There's still time to join!!! At BCDI-Atlanta, we know that parents and caregivers are a child’s very first teachers and fiercest advocates. To support you on this journey, we are thrilled to host our Family Empowerment Program series running every Thursday through December 10th, 2026.

Join us as we:

Build Advocacy Skills: Learn how to effectively navigate educational and community systems for your child.
Strengthen Family Bonds: Gain practical strategies to nurture emotional growth and resilience at home.
Connect with Community: Build lasting relationships with fellow caregivers in a supportive, welcoming space.

Because this program offers an intimate, highly supportive setting, space is limited, and registration is required.

Ready to join us in strengthening your family and our village? Click here to register today or scan the QR code on the attached flyer to secure your spot!

Event Details:

Date: October 1, 2026 - December 10, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: In-person and Virtual (Zoom)

Click Here to RSVP and Secure Your Spot!

Meet BCDI-Atlanta Intern:

Farzana Barati

Farzana Barati is a graduate student earning her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Georgia State University. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Augusta University, where she graduated with honors. With a strong passion for mental health, Farzana focuses on supporting immigrant and refugee communities, particularly women. As an immigrant herself, she is dedicated to shedding light on the positive impacts of mental health and dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

During her undergraduate years, Farzana volunteered in various medical and mental health settings. She also interned at Shallowford Wellness Center, where she witnessed firsthand the significant impact that support groups and social work can have on individuals. This experience helped her build both professional and clinical skills.

Farzana is excited about the opportunity to intern at the Black Child Development Institute Atlanta, where she hopes to broaden her knowledge of how she can support its members while also learning to become a better version of herself as a future social worker. She looks forward to collaborating with others and gaining insights that will enhance her practice.

Outside of her academic pursuits, Farzana enjoys hands-on crafts such as painting and building with Legos, which provide her with a relaxing break and allow her creativity to flourish.

Join us in welcoming Farzana Barati!

BCDI-Atlanta 8th Annual Culturally Responsive Early
Education & Care Leadership Summit

BCDI-Atlanta invites educators, trainers, leaders, advocates, policymakers, families, and community partners to move beyond ideas and into action. This year’s theme, From Vision to Reality: Building the Future Our Children Deserve, challenges us to build on the knowledge, wisdom, and aspirations of our communities to create lasting, systemic change. We are seeking dynamic trainers and workshop facilitators to deliver actionable, culturally responsive sessions that empower participants to build the future our children deserve.

We invite proposals for 60- to 75-minute interactive workshops and presentations centered on cultural responsiveness, equity, and collective responsibility. Proposals should align with one or more of the following strands:

Leadership & Policy Advocacy: Equipping ECE leaders with strategies to drive systemic change and advance policy equity.
Family & Community Engagement: Elevating practices that foster authentic partnerships, build trust, and honor family heritage.
Workforce Development & Wellness: Strengthening, sustaining, and supporting early childhood educators and care professionals.
Educational Excellence & Culturally Responsive Practice: Delivering innovative curricula, learning strategies, and environments that celebrate Black child development.

Key Dates & Details

Proposal Submission Deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: Late November 2026
Summit Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2027
Location: Atlanta, GA

To submit your workshop proposal, please complete the online submission form here.

Skin In The Game: A Conversation On Managing

Eczema In Black Children

Black Health Matters, with support from Sanofi Regeneron, will host a virtual webinar on Thursday, October 22, 2026, 7:00 PM- 8:00 PM, focused on pediatric atopic dermatitis (eczema) in Black children. Designed for parents and caregivers of infants, children, and adolescents, the conversation will pair a healthcare professional’s expertise with a patient advocate’s perspective to offer practical guidance families can use.

Georgia State University

Critical Education Policy Studies Conference

Join Georgia State University’s Department of Educational Policy Studies and the Education and Law Collaborative for Justice (ELC4Justice), in collaboration with the Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence and the SOURCES Conference, for an interactive day of critical education policy conversations. The 2026 Sources Conference is a two-day event filled with learning, conversation, and community engagement. The conference will take place from Friday, November 6 to Saturday, November 7, 2026.

The conference offers educators, students, families, community members, and advocates an opportunity to better understand the policies shaping education, to examine them from critical perspectives, and to participate in conversations about how those policies might change.

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.

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