Our annual Leadership Forum on Early Education Research, Policy, and Practice was held on Saturday, May 15, 2021 via Zoom. Over 100 attendees, all established and emerging leaders in the field of early care and education, participated in presentations and breakout sessions focused on the innovative quality improvement, racial equity, and system change ideas of our leadership program graduates.

Speakers included Theresa Loch, Education and Training Specialist in early education for the Lastinger Center, Jessica De Jesus Acevedo, owner of Little Star of Ours child care in Cambridge, and Dorothy (Dottie) Williams, owner of Dottie’s Family Childcare in Dorchester, who shared their stories of leadership and advocacy.

Mass Commissioner of the Department of Early Education and Care Samantha Aigner-Treworgy, Dr. Renee Boynton-Jarrett, MD, ScD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Founding Director of the Vital Village Community Engagement Network, and UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco also attended and delivered keynote remarks.

Anne Douglass, Professor, Executive Director, Institute for Early Education Leadership & Innovation and UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco

UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco

MA Commissioner of Early Education and Care Samantha Aigner-Treworgy

Jessica De Jesus Acevedo, owner of Little Star of Ours childcare in Cambridge

Attendees of the 2021 Leadership Forum, which was held via Zoom.