Black English Webinar Series: Webinar #3
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 #3: From Recognition to Action: Policy, Advocacy, and Black (English) Language as a Language
The final webinar concludes the series by focusing on advocacy and policy pathways that support language-affirming systems. Participants will examine how Black (English) Language can be recognized within broader understandings of Dual Language Learners and why naming it as a rule-governed language matters for early childhood policy and practice. This session offers practical insights for educators, administrators, and advocates supporting providers, children, and families who speak Black (English) Language—while contributing to inclusive policy conversations at the local, state, and national levels.