Recently, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the gold standard of federal standardized testing, released data indicating that 13-year-olds have hit the lowest math and reading performance scores in decades. Unsurprisingly, this correlated with data about learning loss from the pandemic, especially for children of color. As I read this newest report, I reflected…
As I sit down to reflect on my sabbatical, I marvel at the journey. Time has flown by, and yet it also feels like a lifetime’s worth of experiences and revelations were condensed into the past 58 days. My world of deadlines, emails and meetings for the past 20-plus years was put on hold as…
After more than 20 years working in the nonprofit sector, the majority of which have been dedicated to the work of StriveTogether and its predecessor organizations, I’m taking a sabbatical this summer. I never dreamed I’d be in a position to take an extended break from this work. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to…
March is the month that our country has committed to celebrating and honoring women’s history. As a new month begins, I’m reflecting on the barriers and obstacles women face every single day, the sheer resilience and grit we muster to battle through them, and the that women comprise the greatest percentage of leaders at all…
I was recently reminded of a poem by Wendell Berry that resonated strongly because it describes the very nature of our work. Berry is one of my literary heroes, we’re both Kentucky natives and University of Kentucky graduates. As an English major, I read much of his poetry and fiction. And I find myself returning…
At StriveTogether, we aren’t just proving what is possible; we’re proving what is measurable. Today, I’m proud to be sharing a new framework and guide for measuring the impact of systems on getting better, more equitable results for youth and families. Systemic inequity creates opportunity gaps particularly for children, young people and families of color.…
We are approaching a tipping point in our work to close disparity gaps and improve outcomes for children of color and children living in poverty. The precipice of change is built on a mountain of efforts, and many have persisted in this important work to bring us to this point. And like all critical moments,…
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to be a part of an amazing all-female panel discussing the role of neighborhood organizations and the networks that support them in improving outcomes for youth and families. Moderated by the brilliant Angela Glover Blackwell, I joined Dreama Gentry and Sondra Samuels to share what we have learned…
Each new year encourages us to consider what’s possible. It’s like opening a book of blank pages, each page waiting for a story to unfold. What narrative will take shape in the coming weeks, months and year? Leftover angst from 2020 may cloud any optimism typical at the start of a new year. As Stacey…
In a year that no one could have predicted, it’s not surprising that we’re still sorting out results from the general election. This history-making election saw a record number of voters cast ballots across the country. It’s just as exciting to see such a great turnout and support for a number of ballot issues supported…
It’s great to see so many Americans voting early this election cycle. In the excitement of the presidential election, don’t overlook local and state candidates and issues that can directly impact the future of our children. While StriveTogether is nonpartisan, we have a clear view on the policies that support better and more equitable cradle-to-career…
Since the earliest days in the collective impact movement, there has been a commonly repeated refrain: “We have to shift narratives. We have to change mindsets.” In 2020, there has been a shift in narratives and in mindsets The country is waking up to systemic oppression and inequities. This summer, the top-selling books were focused…
