WE ARE AN INTERGENERATIONAL GROUP OF BLACK WOMEN WITH DIVERSE EXPERIENCES IN COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATION. WE CARE DEEPLY ABOUT PRESERVING THE CULTURAL LEGACIES AND TRADITIONS THAT JOYFULLY SUSTAIN BLACK FAMILIES.

With and within our communities, we are creating a strengths-based approach to highlighting and extending the literacy-building practices Black families already possess. We are collecting and using physically interactive games to disrupt traditionally exclusive spaces. Through play we are celebrating and promoting opportunities for Black cultural expression. We are working to do the following:

Use a social-justice framework to learn, create and share research with Black families

Center Black family voices and experiences in conversations with existing research on “best practices” for educational growth and family engagement

Enhance Black family and community literacy, as well as self/social awareness through community-based dialogue

WE ARE CONDUCTING COMMUNITY-BASED COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RACE, CULTURE, JOY, AND PLAY. THIS RESEARCH HAS INFORMED NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. SEE OUR WORKSHOP AND ONGOING RESEARCH DESCRIPTIONS FOR MORE INFORMATION.

CORE COMMUNITY BASED INITIATIVES

Our mission is to enhance generational literacies through PLAY in underserved African American communities. In direct accoradnace with our mission we have developed:

#PARENTLABPLAYDAYS

 engages participants in interactive games designed to connect the active body to brain development, and thus enhance cognitive learning experiences. As we promote active learning through our inclusive, strengths-based approach, we are collaborating with families and their community-members in the expansion of extant literacy and advocacy skills.

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#STORYTIMELIKEABOSS

seeks to increase the love of our stories and language by reading aloud books that reflect our culture, especially those written by Black authors and those reflecting Black and Brown children/people in positive ways.

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#PLAYFORTHECULTUREWEEK

A monthly celebration of Black Joy in which each day celebrates a different aspect of play as reflected in Black culture; from “Soulcare Sunday” to “Sun-Kissed Saturday” with magical art, cooking, dance, and freedom in between. We invite folks to share their Joy and talents by tagging us in their own original creations and reposting the content featured on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles.

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