Community Cultivators Archives - Early Learning Nation

Captain Underpants Is Welcome Here: Carla Hayden’s Vision for Community Hubs

She not only runs the world greatest library. She also keeps a Little Free Library in her office.

Mark Swartz·Apr 22, 2020·4 min read

A librarian right down to her sensible shoes, Dr. Carla Hayden greets visitors to her office in the Library of...

Roger Brooks = Right Leader at the Right Time for a Pioneering Approach to History Education

Mark Swartz·May 28, 2020·5 min read

Julie Leff can pinpoint the moment when she knew Roger Brooks was the right person to lead Facing History and...

Now & Later: Marcus Bullock’s Entrepreneurial Spirit

The Flikshop founder’s three rules for success

Mark Swartz·Apr 2, 2020·5 min read

One of the less-remarked-upon consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic is the discontinuation of prison visits. Suddenly, Flikshop Angels, a program...

“Reading Prepares You for Your Destiny:” 5 Literacy and Life Lessons from Darryl McDaniels

Mark Swartz·May 3, 2022·4 min read

Darryl McDaniels might strike some as an unlikely ambassador for early literacy. Today, McDaniels, 57, is exercising his education muscle with a vocabulary-building series from Noggin called “What’s the Word?”

Going Big for Our Youngest with Jim Steyer

The Founder of Common Sense Media and Wide Open School

Mark Swartz·Jul 15, 2020·5 min read

Just as Early Learning Nation showcases the ways families, researchers and grassroots nonprofits and organizations are building an early learning...

Super Grandmodel Kathy Ireland on Living Your Values

Mark Swartz·Nov 19, 2021·5 min read

Married 33 years and a new grandmother, Ireland recently caught Early Learning Nation’s attention on social media because of her enthusiastic participation in the #ClearTheList campaign, helping teachers obtain school supplies.

“One Big Learning Adventure” with Noggin Knows Host Emmanuel Carter

Mark Swartz·Mar 10, 2022·5 min read

Just as Early Learning Nation showcases the ways families, researchers and grassroots nonprofits and organizations are building an early learning...

Wes Moore’s Tale of Two Cities

Fate and Faith in Baltimore, New York City and Beyond

Mark Swartz·Nov 11, 2020·5 min read

Just as Early Learning Nation showcases the ways families, researchers and grassroots nonprofits and organizations are building an early learning...

Rye Barcott and the Five Percent Rule

Mark Swartz·Feb 4, 2020·5 min read

In 1999, University of North Carolina sophomore Rye Barcott was sitting in Swahili class when a recent alumnus, just back...

For Families and Children, a Champion for Democracy and “Constructive Disagreements”

Mark Swartz·Nov 2, 2022·6 min read

Here are five principles Dutta-Gupta keeps in mind while leading an anti-poverty organization dedicated to ensuring that policies, programs and practices advance racial equity.

Thirty Years after Her Gold, Kristi Yamaguchi Reflects on Parenthood, Competition and Kindness

Mark Swartz·Feb 15, 2022·6 min read

Just as Early Learning Nation showcases the ways families, researchers and grassroots nonprofits and organizations are building an early learning...

More Than Meets the Eye: Jeremiah Program’s Chastity Lord

Mark Swartz·Sep 27, 2023·5 min read

The possibilities are unlimited for the children of single mothers. Just ask President Barack Obama. Vice President Kamala Harris. Ford Foundation president Darren Walker. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Entrepreneur and Pittsburgh Steelers owner Thomas Tull. Comedians like Jon Stewart and Eddie Murphy, performers like Jay-Z and Mariah Carey, athletes like LeBron James, Hope Solo and Alex Rodriguez.

Get the latest in early learning science, community and more:

Get the latest in early learning science, community and more