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Author: Jennifer R Farmer

New Profit Invests $1.6 Million into 16 Organizations, Including Memphis Artists for Change

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For Immediate Release

Jan. 30, 2024

New Profit Invests $1.6 Million into 16 Organizations, Including Memphis Artists for Change

MEMPHIS – The arts-centered, community and economic development organization, Memphis Artists for Change (MAC), today announced it received an award from New Profit for its work in Memphis. MAC is a Black-led, place-based advocacy organization that champions community-directed change in underserved neighborhoods. Founded and run by Tameka Greer, MAC provides a vehicle for artists and community members to advocate for positive change. The recognition from New Profit includes a $100,000 grant, access to coaching and development, and inclusion into a network of like-minded leaders. New Profit is a national venture philanthropy organization dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity. It invested $100,000 each into 16 innovative organizations – including MAC – for their work driving economic mobility.

“As a Black woman, it is deeply gratifying to be recognized for our work but also to receive funding to deepen our impact,” Greer said. “Our work at MAC has always centered around partnering with the community to improve the quality of life for her residents. We cannot advance change without the support of donors and funding institutions, so this award is deeply meaningful.”

From its Arthouse Café, to its transitional housing for women recently released from incarceration to its advocacy to preserve and expand democracy, to its work to hold utility companies accountable for unreasonable rake hikes and their impact on working people, MAC is a trusted voice and partner in Memphis.

“With this funding, we will continue to meet critical needs in our community, promote community engagement within the artistic and non-profit community, and mobilize Memphis residents to protect public values,” Greer said.  

In addition to leading Memphis Artists for Change, Greer is also a member of the Black Southern Women’s Collaborative.

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Every Movement Needs a Soundtrack: 28 Artists Unite to Raise Money for Baltimore Changemakers

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For Immediate Release

Jan. 30, 2024

BALTIMORE – CLLCTIVLY today announced the return of its second annual ‘28 Days of Black Futures.’ The crowdfunding campaign is designed to advance narrative power, platform local artists, and raise funds for Black-led social change entities in Baltimore. It coincides with Black History Month, but offers a unique spin. In addition to focusing on Black historical figures who no doubt made a difference, CLLCTIVLY will spotlight local artists who will incorporate the principles of Nguzo Saba. Each artist will write a cypher, one for each day of February. The effort will be produced by Von Vargas, a multi-faceted musician, songwriter and DJ. JP Morgan Chase & Co. is a presenting sponsor. 

“There can be no overstatement of the importance of music in propelling social and racial justice movements,” said CLLCTIVLY founder Jamye Wooten. “Music is incredibly important in fueling movements, raising critical issues and ensuring our communities feel seen and heard. We are excited because this effort will highlight the ingenuity within the Baltimore region, while giving Baltimore residents an opportunity to financially support Black-led changemakers.” 

CLLCTIVLY will showcase local artists and their cyphers via its website, social media and press outreach. It will then host a culminating event on March 9 featuring these artists as well as the beneficiaries of the funds raised during the inaugural ‘28 Days of Black Futures’ campaign. 

“Our community has a wealth of creative, trailblazing, and thoughtful leaders,” said Krystle Starvis, COO of CLLCTIVLY. “We rest on the shoulders of those who came before us, and will intentionally honor the past, the present and future. We are excited to platform local changemakers and invest in their work and vision. 28 Days of Black Futures will enable us to do just that.”

 Sometimes the only thing that determines how high a person ascends, or how much they can accomplish, is the resources and support they receive from their family and community. And historically, Black business owners have struggled to raise capital and start, grow and sustain their businesses. “This project will enable all people – persons who live in and outside of Baltimore – to make donations of any amount and fuel the work of changemakers.” 

“CLLCTIVLY is determined to ensure that no dream is deferred by raising funds and investing in Black-led organizations and changemakers,” Wooten concluded.

 

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CLLCTIVLY is a place-based, social change organization that centers Black genius, narrative power, social networks and resource mobilization. It was developed following the death of Freddie Gray, who died in police custody on Feb. 2015.

 

 

Fourteen Leaders You Should Get to Know This Black History Month

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Heroes don’t always wear capes. And the most amazing leaders don’t always receive the recognition and applause that they deserve.

This Black History Month we honor the leaders who paved the way for future generations while also recognizing contemporary advocates who are doing the same. Below is a list of several leaders in communities across the country who are making a difference one day at a time. 

California

Glenn Harris is the president of Race Forward and has over 25 years of experience working on racial and social justice issues with community groups, foundations and government agencies. Prior to joining Race Forward, Glenn served as President of the Center for Social Inclusion, which merged with Race Forward in 2017. He also supported the start of projects similar to the Race and Social Justice Initiative across the country and helped found the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE).

Florida

Rev. Rhonda Thomas. Thomas is the executive director of Faith in Florida and a member of the Black Southern Women’s Collaborative. She who created a toolkit and asked churches to teach Black history after Gov. Ron DeSantis restricted the teaching of African American history. She recruited 500 churches from Florida and 20 other states to teach the curriculum. In addition to this latest project, Thomas has been a long time advocate on gun violence prevention. She lost a nephew to gun violence and was also present in the aftermath of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida to offer pastoral care to young people and their families. Learn more here.

Georgia

Kendra Cotton. Kendra is the chief executive officer of New Georgia Project Action Fund and its affiliated organization, New Georgia Project. She is a member of the Black Southern Women’s Collaborative. She is a lifelong Southerner and has spent her professional career promoting civic engagement and advocating for underrepresented communities to become more involved in our democracy.

Phyllis Hill. Hill is the national organizing director for Faith in Action. She also founded and runs the Black Southern Women’s Collaborative, which is designed to support the leadership and ingenuity of Black women executive directors in the South. She believes that Black women are often sought out for their talents without recognition of their struggles. In founding the Black Southern Women’s Collaborative, Hill sought to create a safe, supportive space where Black women could be seen and known. The group includes the executive directors of the New Georgia Project, Memphis Artists for Change, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, One Voice, Faith in Florida and fellows in Alabama. Learn more here and here.

Maryland

Dr. Sabrina N’Daiye. Dr. Sabrina is an author, psychotherapist and trauma expert. She is the founder of the Heart Nest Center in Baltimore, MD. She works with communities that have experienced a natural disaster or mass shooting, helping them process their experience and move towards healing. N’Diaye also works with persons who are living with HIV/AIDS to help them process their diagnosis, live fruitful lives. She is most proud of her work inside prisons where she works with men and women to process the trauma of incarceration and find healing and hope.

Arion Long. After developing a uterine tumor, Arion went into septic shock and eventually lapsed into a coma. Pregnant at the time, her daughter was stillborn. Arion entered her first pitch competition for Femly two weeks after being released from the hospital. While physically and emotionally depleted, she was on a mission to ensure women and girls had access to safe feminine care products. Her sister attended some of Arion’s early pitch competitions to hold her hand and help her stand up. To date, Arion Long has raised more than $2.8 million for her company, Femly, from more than 50 pitch competitions. Femly offers organic period care via dispensers in public restrooms, schools and other establishments. She also patented dispensers that can see and recognize pigmented skin. Learn more here. 

James Wahls. Wahls is an impact investor with Mission Investor Exchange. He also founded and runs the Revolve Fund, a philanthropic initiative dedicated to catalyzing businesses led by people of color. Since many people of color have less disposal income, launching and sustaining a business can be a challenge. Revolve seeks to help businesses with capital but also the network access that would propel their long-term success. He founded the Revolve Fund in March 2022 as a pilot project. He received funding  in March 2022 with funding from institutions such as JPMorgan Chase, Open Society Institute – Baltimore, PNC Bank, and the Rockefeller Foundation. With the Maryland Philanthropy Network as fiscal sponsor, the fund offers recoverable grants to businesses with a social purpose and nonprofits. The hope is that the funding and associated support can help businesses led by people of color get on firm footing before having to repay or return investments. To date, the fund has raised more than $1.9 million and deployed more than $560,000 in capital and technical assistance. Learn more here.

John Holdsclaw IV. Following George Floyd’s tragic murder in 2020, scores of organizations, corporations, financial institutions, and retailers pledged to give their time, money, and resources to close the racial wealth gap. However, the further we move from that summer of racial reckoning, we see less commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Companies have cut their DEI programs, and many people have stopped talking about investing in Black businesses and communities. But Holdsclaw is working hard at community uplift through the entity he founded, Rochdale Capital, an emerging community development financial institution (CDFI). Rochdale works with key stakeholders – such as the Revolve Fund – to increase opportunities for co-op and community ownership in under resourced communities. Rochdale funded Iowa’s first Black-owned grocery store, All In, with a $400,000 loan. Learn more here.

Danielle Torain. Torain is an attorney and leader in the philanthropic space. She previously led the Open Society Foundations’ Baltimore office, OSI-Baltimore. Prior to that, she worked to get resources into the hands of Black and people of color-led organizations in Baltimore with stints at the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund, The Annie E. Casey Foundation and Frontline Solutions. Upon learning that OSI-Baltimore would wind down its funds, Torain raised $20 million in combined contributions to ensure the grantees she long supported at OSI-Baltimore would not be left in a compromised position. She single-handedly ensured that these organizations – which often struggle to find support – had a longer runway to identify other philanthropic partners. Learn more here.

 

Mississippi

Nsombi Lambright-Haynes is an experienced executive director with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry. She is the executive director of One Voice, and a member of the Black Southern Women’s Collaborative. She’s done significant work to expand access to the ballot, and promote civic engagement. 

Ellen Reddy is the executive director of the Nollie Jenkins Family Center in Lexington, Mississippi. She is on a mission to educate parents, policymakers and community members on the dangers of corporal punishment. She has noted, “We need a different vision for our children and schools. That vision must include safe spaces for young people.” Reddy has passionately outlined the fear that children experience when they are beaten at schools or at home. She has advocated other models for positive parenting and has broadened the debate around discipline. Learn more here.

New York

Sally Vonner. Sally Vonner is the General Secretary and CEO of United Women in Faith. United Women in Faith is the largest denominational organization for women. In her capacity as General Secretary, Vonner supports programs that center the needs of women, children and youth. Her organization is active in the fight to end the school to prison pipeline. They also work to advance climate justice and ensure a just transition to renewable energy. 

Dr. Omolara Uwemedimo. Dr. Omolara is a pediatrician and co-founder of Strong Children Wellness. She is founder of Melanin and Medicine where she coaches physicians on how to do their work more sustainably. After being hospitalized and diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, she realized that she needed to approach medicine differently. She co-founded Strong Children Wellness to bring practitioners to patients. Rather than asking families to go from appointment to appointment to have their and their child’s needs met, Strong Children’s Wellness brings practitioners to the community. In their model, children can see a pediatrician, a therapist or psychiatrist if they need one and families can receive social services, all in one building. This cuts down on time, travel costs, requests for paid time off. It centers the patient and ensures better service for children and families. Learn more here.

Oregon

Eric K. Ward. Eric is a Senior Vice President at Race Forward. He is a nationally-recognized expert on the relationship between authoritarian movements, hate violence and preserving an inclusive democracy. He has over three decades of leadership experience in community organizing and philanthropy. He is an in-demand speaker, media source and commentator.  

Race Forward Founder Dr. Gary Delgado to Help Advance Health Equity in the Treatment, Prevention and Discussion of Aphasia Rejoining the Organization as Senior Fellow

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For Immediate Release

January 8, 2024

WASHINGTON, DC – Race Forward today announced that its founder, Dr. Gary Delgado, a nationally recognized author, organizer, researcher, and activist on issues of race and social justice, will return to the organization as a senior fellow. In this role, Delgado will advance health equity in the treatment, prevention, and discussion of aphasia. Aphasia is a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate. It can occur suddenly after a stroke or head injury, or develop overtime as a side effect to a brain tumor or other health condition.

In the United States, two and a half million residents live with aphasia, and this number increases by 200,000 annually. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Black and Latino communities are more likely to have strokes than their white counterparts. Additionally, middle-aged Black people (between 45 and 64) are three times more likely than their white peers to have strokes.

“The goal of this project is to center people with aphasia, with an emphasis on people of color. We aim to drive innovation and diverse approaches in treating aphasia,” Delgado said. “We also want to shine a light on the need to train and recruit more diverse speech pathologists, healthcare and social services professionals.”

Dr. Delgado received his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California at Berkeley in 1983. Frustrated with the unwillingness of community organizing to explicitly address race at that time, he founded the Center for Third World Organizing, the country’s first organizer training institute with a racial justice focus. He subsequently founded the Applied Research Center (now Race Forward) to give “intellectual ammunition” to organizers and activists working on racial justice.

His latest endeavor was spurred by his own experience. Delgado has lived with aphasia since 2019 when he suffered a stroke. When his speech did not improve as quickly as he wanted, he began looking into alternative therapies. After noticing very few alternative therapies, especially ones designed to address racial disproportionalities, Delgado began thinking about strategies to organize with persons of color directly impacted by aphasia.

“Race Forward recognizes that racial inequities – including within health care – are pervasive and profound. They can impact a person’s quality of life and ability to thrive,” said Glenn Harris, president, Race Forward. “Since so much of the American experience is influenced by race, this is an area that must be consistently addressed.”

“Race Forward’s partnership with Delgado follows our longstanding commitment to racial equity in every facet of life,” Harris concluded. “It also follows our work with the Rise to Health Coalition, where we work with partners to advance policies and solutions to transform the health care ecosystem so all people have the power, circumstances and resources to achieve optimal health.”

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Candace Moore Joins Race Forward as Senior Strategic Advisor

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For Immediate Release

December 15, 2023

Race Forward today announced Candace Moore, Esq., a policy and systems strategist with demonstrated experience addressing issues of equity and racial justice, will join the organization on January 8, 2024, as Senior Strategic Advisor. Moore brings executive government, legal practice and community-based advocacy experience to this role, in which she will focus on bridging and aligning the placed-based work of Race Forward’s programs and deepening collaborations. She will also lead the expansion into new sites of our place-based strategies, training curriculum  and tools for government and community.

“Race Forward is thrilled to have Candace Moore join our team  during this time when attacks on communities of color continue unabated,” said Race Forward President Glenn Harris. “From efforts to dismantle the Voting Rights Act of 1965, to attacks on reproductive rights, and attacks on public education, we know the importance of local and regional governments working to advance racial justice and democracy. The experience Candace brings with a rich background and expertise in government and community-based work will allow her to develop innovative strategies and initiatives to advance racial equity and democracy in communities across this country.”

Race Forward’s Place-Based Strategy works locally and trans-locally to implement organizational goals in and across places. Collective power building goals include transforming the public sector to govern for racial equity, building governing power of communities of color, and building narratives that advance a just multiracial democracy. Candace’s leadership will help Race Forward to achieve scale and impact in local communities across the country.

“We are in a moment in our fight for racial justice that demands we build new ways of collaborating and demonstrate to our communities that a system rooted in racial inclusion is worthy and can deliver a more fair and just democracy,” Moore said. “This is why I am excited to step into my next chapter at Race Forward. Throughout my career, the work of Race Forward has been an anchor grounding me in ideas, strategies, and tools to drive equity and racial justice in the communities I’ve served. Whether serving in Chicago as a civil rights attorney or the city’s first Chief Equity Officer, my goal has always been to demonstrate that we can make real change toward racial justice. Joining the team as Senior Strategic Advisor is a dynamic opportunity to connect and partner with fellow racial justice colleagues to support their impact in communities across the country. My intention is to learn, connect resources and people, and spotlight the power of our movement.”

Prior to joining Race Forward, Moore served as the first chief equity officer for the City of Chicago; a senior staff attorney for education equity at the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights; and a campaign coordinator for the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence.

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About Race Forward

Race Forward catalyzes movement building for racial justice. Working in partnership with communities, community-based and grassroots organizations, and government entities across sectors, we advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture by building strategies to bridge community organizations and government, training individuals and organizations on racial equitable practices, and convening activists, organizers, and leaders in racial justice for shared learning, understanding, strategizing and action.

United Women in Faith Highlights Devastating Impact of War on Women and Children, Pleads for Ceasefire and Women’s Voices and Perspectives to be Included in Peace Negotiations

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For Immediate Release

Dec. 8, 2023

NEW YORK – United Women in Faith joins voices from across the world in decrying the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As an entity committed to the uplift of women, children and youth, the organization highlighted the disproportionate toll of war on women, children and youth. It urges all parties to agree to a permanent ceasefire, abide by international norms, and include women, women’s organizations and gender perspectives in peace negotiations. It also encourages all parties to prioritize the safety and well-being of women, children, and youth.

Its General Secretary and CEO, Sally Vonner, issued the following statement:

“There is no question that Gaza faces a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. It is imperative that President Joe Biden and the U.S. Congress refrain from providing U.S. funding for the siege on Gaza. There must be a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution that promotes just and lasting peace.

“United Women in Faith condemns the violent attacks of Hamas on October 7 that caused the loss of 1,200 Israelis and other nationals, and the kidnapping of more than 200 hostages. We also condemn the Israeli government’s cutting off water, gas, electricity, goods, and supplies to Gaza. We decry the Israeli government’s large-scale air bombardment and ground invasion of hospitals, homes, schools, mosques, and houses of worship.

“As the largest denominational organization for women, United Women in Faith anchors its beliefs on The UMC Social Principles, which state, ‘As disciples of Christ, we are called to love our enemies, seek justice, and serve as reconcilers of conflict. We insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to work together to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them. … We believe that human values must outweigh military claims as governments determine their priorities.’

“These actions place women and girls at greater risk for gender-based violence, unwanted pregnancies, and infections and disrupt access to essential resources like food, water, medicine, social services, and medical care. We must not lose sight of the physical, psychological, and spiritual impact war and instability has on women, children, and youth.” “As of December 5, 12,000 of the 16,200 Palestinians killed have been women and children, per UN Women. Over 951,490 women and girls have been displaced. Fifty thousand women in Gaza are pregnant, with over 180 giving birth each day, and many are unable to receive care or access medical resources for emergency C-sections or clean water for mixing infant formula.

“As women of faith committed to peace with justice, we are inspired by the work of Palestinian, Arab Israeli, and Jewish Israeli women who advocate for solutions that minimize bloodshed and provide a path forward. We unite our voices with Palestinian and Israeli women who have long recognized that achieving long-term peace in the region will require a negotiated political solution. The status quo of continued occupation, denial of self-determination, and intermittent war will not lead to just and lasting peace, freedom, and security for both peoples. We also join with Israeli voices who call for the repudiation of extremist language and for the Israeli government to demonstrate that it will not pursue a genocidal program against Palestinians in Gaza.

“We condemn anti-Palestinian, antisemitic, and anti-Muslim rhetoric and the resulting rise in hate crimes targeting Palestinian, Jewish, and Muslim individuals, families and communities in the United States and across the globe. We encourage our members and the broader public to actively speak out against anti-Palestinian, antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate speech and actions.

“We continue to pray fervently for just and lasting peace.”

We urge the Biden Administration and Congress to support:

● An immediate permanent ceasefire.

● Abidance of international humanitarian laws and release of all civilian hostages.

● Lifting the 16-year blockade on Gaza that has subjected 2.2 million Palestinians to collective punishment.

● Full, unhindered humanitarian access and delivery to all parts of Gaza.

● An end to providing U.S. arms to Israel and an overall arms embargo on the whole region.

● The inclusion of women, women’s organizations, and gender perspectives in peace negotiation and future resolution, complying with the global framework laid out in Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

 

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EVENT: Dr. Sabrina N’Diaye to Lead Workshop on Grief, Stress and Coping During the Holidays

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For Immediate Release

Dec. 4, 2023

BALTIMORE – Dr. Sabrina N’Diaye, an acclaimed author and psychotherapist, will lead a workshop on grief, stress and coping during the holidays for the Institute for Spirituality and Health. The event occurs on December 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. N’Diaye will also discuss her most recent book, “Big Mama Speaks: Love Lessons from a Harlem River Swan.”

“I am here while I’m here with a purpose to bring healing, hope and help. I want to help people come to a place of deepened self-awareness and to understand with their whole bodies that they are here for a glorious reason. Every person has a purpose. I want people to leave feeling and believing that, even amidst grief and pain.”

WHO:            Dr. Sabrina N’Diaye, Acclaimed Author and Psychotherapist

WHAT:           Silent Nights: Grief, Stress and Coping During the Holidays workshop

WHEN:          Thursday, December 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

WHERE:       Rothko Chapel, 3900 Yupon Street, Houston

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With Rousing Support, Columbus City Council Member Shayla Favor Enters Franklin County Prosecutor’s Race

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For Immediate Release

November 30, 2023

COLUMBUS – In a stirring press conference on Nov. 30 at The Historic Pythian Theater on Columbus’s Near East Side, Councilmember Shayla Favor announced that she will enter the Franklin County Prosecutor’s race. Flanked by prominent community leaders, including Council President Shannon Hardin and former Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Favor explained her decision to run. Her campaign released the following statement: 

“I am running for Franklin County Prosecutor because I want to support our community in becoming a model county that prioritizes public safety while being responsive to a system long considered to be unjust and inequitable,” Favor said. “I want to work in partnership with leaders across the region in creating a public safety model that leads with transparency, prioritizes accountability instead of retribution, and ensures the dignity of all Franklin County residents and visitors.” 

“Councilmember Favor is unapologetic in her commitment to people,” said Council President Shannon Hardin. “She is a fighter and a servant leader who acts with conviction and compassion. Now more than ever, Favor is what our community needs and deserves.” 

“Whether she was serving on Columbus City Council, serving in the Columbus City Attorney’s office, or litigating high profile environmental lawsuits that addressed public safety in our community, Favor has always put the needs of our community front and center,” said former Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “We can be sure of this one thing: from day one, she will roll up her sleeves and get to work.” 

Prior to joining Columbus City Council, Favor served as an Assistant City Attorney for the Columbus City Attorney’s Office in the Environmental Division. In that capacity, she served the downtown, Near East and Southside areas of Columbus. As a Zone Attorney, she worked alongside city and community leaders to provide essential city services, improve Columbus’ neighborhoods and facilitate conversations to address criminal activity, vacancies, abandonment, and blight. 

“From my time in the City Attorney’s Office, I am proud to have played a role in the City’s efforts to address criminal activity and neighborhood disparity through the abatement of nuisance properties,” Favor added. This work included the abatement of residential and commercial structures that were violating civil and criminal statues in the City of Columbus & State of Ohio.” 

Favor also worked as the executive director of Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT). PACT works to create a healthy, financially, and environmentally sustainable community where residents have access to safe and affordable housing, quality healthcare and education, and employment opportunities on the Near East Side of Columbus. 

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Child Care Advocates Sound Alarm on Child Care Crisis in Miami County

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For Immediate Release

Nov. 20, 2023

MIAMI COUNTY, Oh. – Renee Matsunami and Karen Stienecker, child care advocates in Miami County, are pleading with elected leaders to take action to address the child care crisis in the county and state. The duo runs Child Care Choices, a small nonprofit which provides training for child care providers, referrals for families needing care, and sponsors the Child and Adult Care Food Program. They are affiliated with The CEO Project and have been working with other organizations to bring solutions to the child care crisis in Miami County.

“Miami County is facing a shortage of child care that will affect this generation of children for a long time,” Matsunami said. “But this is an issue that impacts families at the county, state and national levels. We have found that the families most impacted by a lack of childcare are the families that need publicly funded childcare, families that have a child with special needs, families that need second, third and weekend shift care, and families with infants and toddlers.” 

“When parents need care and can’t find it, they feel desperate,” Stienecker said. “You can hear them close to tears on the phone and that is heartbreaking. Our system is forcing parents to settle for care that may not be up to their standards. We must face the fact that Ohio’s child care system is not stable or sustainable.”  

“We are a rural county,” Stienecker added. “We have a good percentage of children who need child care spots. Many of our centers don’t accept publicly-funded subsidies because they can fill their spots with private pay families. Today, there are only spots for less than half of the kids who need a publicly funded spot in Miami County. Ohio is one of the lowest in terms of reimbursement rates for publicly funded child care. The reimbursement rate is 25% and the recommendation is 75%.”  

“In Miami County we have no licensed family child care providers, which means a lack of second and third shift care.” Steinecker said. “The number of women who left the workforce has been staggering; many of them have not returned because there is a lack of childcare. In other situations, parents are depending on family, friends and neighbors to take care of their kids.”  

When asked why Ohio’s childcare system is in such a bind, Matsunami and Stienecker noted: 

  1. The licensing process is frustrating and overwhelming. Two providers we’ve been working with for close to a year are still not through the process. It takes a long time to complete the licensure process. The system is broken and we aren’t able to get people licensed. With the exception of one person who is licensed but set to move away from the county, we have zero licensed family child care providers in Miami County.  When we don’t have licensed family child care providers, families that need publicly funded childcare aren’t able to get those services.  
  2. Staffing shortages means fewer child care spots. The wages are so low that centers aren’t able to recruit and retain child care educators. The average wage for child care providers in Ohio is around $11 per hour. “It is hard to draw people into a career in early childhood education when other industries don’t require the same amount of education, and they pay more than $11 per hour. Down the road is a Chewy factory with starting rates of $19 per hour. When you’re looking at your bills, the difference between getting paid $19 or $11 per hour, that changes a family’s income,” Steinecker said. “The rules and regulations seem oppressive. We are crushing child care providers with rules. Our people are breaking under the weight that is put upon them by the system.” 
  3. The importance of high-quality early childhood education is not prioritized. Birth to age five are critical years in terms of brain development, which means that the care children receive during this period is vital to their future. About 60% of Ohio’s children are unprepared for kindergarten. Child care providers are not babysitters; they are educators who are ensuring that our children are ready for school

“Ohio’s child care system is in crisis” Matsunami said. “It’s time elected leaders invest in our future by investing in child care.”

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Dr. Sabrina N’Diaye To Headline New Jersey Prevention Network Workshop

Posted on

For Immediate Release

Nov. 16, 2023

BALTIMORE – Dr. Sabrina N’Diaye, an acclaimed author and psychotherapist, will lead a workshop for the New Jersey Prevention Network on December 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The workshop is for social workers, chemical dependency counselors, and professional counselors. Attendees will receive six continuing education credits. N’Diaye will also discuss her most recent book, “Big Mama Speaks: Love Lessons from a Harlem River Swan.”

“I celebrate those who live in bowed service to other humans,” N’Diaye said. “Healers are able to hold grief and hope; joy and sorrow; and love and hate at the same time. We are special, and I want to be in service to this community through this and other workshops.”

WHO:             Dr. Sabrina N’Diaye of the Heart Nest Center

                        New Jersey Prevention Network

WHAT:           Guidance from the Other Side: Using Imagery, Journaling, and Love to Connect

WHEN:          December 6 at 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:       30 Park Rd | Suite 2 | Tinton Falls, NJ 0772

“I’m passionate about being a guide for people who work in healing fields,” N’Diaye said. “My goal is to offer therapists and healers another skill that they can use with their clients. I’ll talk about the science and research that validates the work. I want them to understand and use these skills for themselves and those who desire to stay on the path to recovery.”

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