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An Early Childhood Educator’s Journey Inspires Others

NNPA NEWSWIRE — a Chicago native passionate about acting, singing, and dancing, shared the inspiring journey that brought him to early childhood education (ECE) and his vision for bringing more educators into ECE.

Published

2 years ago

January 27, 2025

Oakland Post

By Dr. Usma Mohamed

Darrell Brown, Director of Teaching Learning & Quality Practice at It Takes A Village Family of Schools (ITAVA) in Chicago, was recently selected from hundreds of applicants to receive a scholarship from the Council for Professional Recognition to attend the Early Educators Leadership Conference (EELC) in Washington D.C. Darrell, a Chicago native passionate about acting, singing, and dancing, shared the inspiring journey that brought him to early childhood education (ECE) and his vision for bringing more educators into ECE.

A Start in Early Childhood Education

Darrell’s interest in ECE began early. At just 16, he had his first job teaching art to young children at a pre-k classroom at Governors State University’s childcare center. This experience opened his eyes to the powerful impact of quality early childhood experiences on a child’s development, setting him on a path he would follow for years to come. Through the Upward Bound program, Darrell gained direct experience working in a childcare center, a role that left a lasting impression. Later, after graduating from college with a degree in public health, he returned to ECE, initially as a teacher in a childcare center. His talent and dedication quickly earned him promotions, leading to a role where he coached other teachers in Early Head Start.

Building the Workforce of Tomorrow with ITAV

Since 2020, Darrell has served as the Director of the Early Childhood Workforce Development program for It Takes a Village (ITAV) Family of Schools, a Chicago-based network with six early childcare centers and two social justice-focused middle schools. His leadership at ITAV has produced over 100 Child Development Associate (CDA) recipients, with most of these educators currently working in ECE. Darrell and his team have helped hundreds of individuals earn credentials, guiding them through ITAV’s unique program integrating coaching, classroom support, and relationship-building. ITAV’s approach has been remarkably successful, with the most recent cohort achieving a 100% pass rate on the CDA exam. With a vision to expand, ITAV is in the process of becoming a registered apprenticeship program through the U.S. Department of Labor. Darrell and his team see their model to inspire other organizations, especially as they strive to bring more men into the early childhood workforce—a goal shared by the Council for Professional Recognition’s CEO Dr. Calvin E. Moore.

A Personal Mission

Darrell’s path to ECE was deeply influenced by his own educational experiences in Chicago. His first encounter with a Black male teacher in high school left a profound impact on him, as he realized the importance of having educators who reflect the diversity of their students. “Seeing someone who looked like me in a leadership position has everything to do with why I am an educator today,” he shared. This experience has shaped Darrell’s commitment to the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (JEDIB). As a leader and coach, he strives to foster a sense of belonging, promote empathy, and encourage diversity among the youngest learners. His dedication to JEDIB principles not only influences his work but also serves as a foundation for building a more inclusive early childhood workforce.

An Opportunity to Grow at EELC

“Attending EELC has been more than I ever imagined,” Darrell said. The conference, held in Washington, D.C., offered him a chance to learn from experts, network with fellow educators, and gain insights he plans to bring back to ITAV. He attended sessions on mental health and even participated in a sound bath, a meditative practice that involves listening to resonant sounds, describing the experience as both rejuvenating and enlightening. The opportunity to meet Dr. Moore was a highlight for Darrell, as it reinforced his belief in the importance of the Council’s mission and the shared vision of diversifying the ECE workforce.

Looking Ahead

Darrell’s career goal is to become a better leader in early childhood education, advocating for policies that provide every child with access to high-quality early learning and every teacher with access to ongoing professional development. His work at ITAV has been transformative, both for himself and for others. As Darrell continues his journey, he remains a powerful example of how passion, dedication, and commitment can drive meaningful changes in early childhood education.

Dr. Usma Mohamed is the Vice President of Brand Experience and Marketing for the Council for Professional Recognition.

Oakland Post

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NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper with nine seconds left for the game winning touchdown as his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville. Hurts finished the day 26/37 for 264 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 […]
The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

6 days ago

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Oakland Post

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Hurts said to Simmons after today’s game: “You started that sh**. I had to finish it.”

Running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in the first half but he ultimately finished the game. He had four carries and nine yards and one catch for eleven yards. He will get an MRI for his injury, but admitted to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network he was fine.

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Williams finished the day with 138 passing yards and one interception.

“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee — that was my first inclination,” Johnson said. “But, a hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

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The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Master the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework with Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt. Learn every stage, tactic, and win!
The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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6 days ago

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Oakland Post

Negotiation framework stages, tactics, and winning strategies from AutoNetwork

Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt deliver the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework in Episode 8 of The Color of Our Money Is Green. This episode covers the three foundations of every effective negotiation, the full seven-stage negotiation sequence with exact language for every stage, and five of the most common dealership tactics with the specific response each one requires.
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The three foundations that make every negotiation tactic work
The complete seven-stage car-buying negotiation sequence
Exact language for every stage of the dealership conversation
Five common dealership tactics — the turnover, the four-square, the packed payment, spot delivery, and forced add-ons — and how to counter each one
Why signing preliminary paperwork isn’t the same as signing the final contract
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“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
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AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

AutoNetwork.com
CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The post Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/EH5A4eQ4ipY