Black English Webinar Series: Webinar #2
The Black English Language Workgroup is a collaborative partnership of organizations committed to advancing language justice for Black children in early childhood education. The workgroup brings together BlackECE, Californians Together, Catalyst California, and Early Edge to challenge harmful language hierarchies and affirm Black English as a legitimate, rule-governed language rooted in Black history, culture, and community.
Grounded in research, community knowledge, and lived experience, the workgroup centers the voices of Black families, educators, and advocates to address how language bias shows up in early learning spaces—and how it can be dismantled. Together, the partners work to shift narratives, strengthen practice, and influence policy so Black children’s home languages are honored as assets rather than deficits.
About the Webinar Series
This three-part webinar series brings together parents, educators, advocates, researchers, and community leaders to explore Black (English) Language as a rule-governed language and a powerful asset in children’s identity, belonging, and early literacy development. Through shared learning, research, history, and policy dialogue, participants will strengthen their ability to advance language-affirming practices that uplift Black children and families across early childhood systems.
Webinar #2: Honoring Home Language: Black (English) Language, History, and Early Literacy Development
The second webinar deepens the series by examining the historical roots of Black (English) Language and its connection to early literacy development. Centering community knowledge and parent–child relationships, this session highlights how honoring home language is grounded in the wisdom of families and cultural insiders and shapes how young children come to understand language and learning. Join us for a dynamic conversation with a special guest speaker, moderated by Dr. Ash from Black Californians United for Early Care and Education (BlackECE). The session will draw from family and community listening sessions to connect history, language, and literacy, offering grounded insights that support language-affirming practice across early childhood settings.