Projects
Working Together, Achieving More
Sakofa partnered with the leadership team at Malaika to co-write a grant proposal to support the development of a comprehensive and replicable career pathway for early educators. The pathway begins during high school, through dual enrollment options, spans into the workforce by utilizing an apprenticeship model that supports on-the-job training and includes a variety of curriculum options and financial supports available at postsecondary institutions. The development and implementation of career pathways are necessary for increasing staff interest and retention in the field of early care and education.
Working Together, Achieving More, Phase II
The Executive Director of Sankofa is continuing the partnership with the leadership team at Malaika to develop a comprehensive Action Plan for implementation of the career pathway for early educators.
A Movement for Male Educators
Sankofa is working in collaboration with the leaders at the Literacy Lab actively support men of color working in the field of early care and education. The initiative seeks to remove systemic barriers and increase the representation of Black and Brown men within Wisconsin’s early education workforce.
Advancing Equity in Wisconsin's Early Education Workforce
The client was interested in better understanding the workforce experiences of Wisconsin's early educators who identify as BIPOC. In response, Sankofa designed and implemented a qualitative research study to gather answers to their inquiry. The abbreviated findings from this one-year study are included in the Executive Summary.
Advancing Equity in Wisconsin's Early Education Workforce, Phase II
During Phase II of this research project, Sankofa is leading monthly community circles with seven research participants who compose the "Equity Steering Committee". The aim of this phase is to guide study participants through the process of further analyzing research findings, determining policies that could be revised or developed to align with study findings, presenting policy recommendations to the appropriate government/regulatory bodies that govern Wisconsin's early education structures.
Advancing Equity in Wisconsin's Early Education Workforce, Phase III
During Phase III of this research project, Sankofa's Executive Director is disseminating study findings to local constituents, i.e., community groups and regulatory bodies, as well as presenting at national conferences. Since research participants are integral to this work, they are serving as co-presenters, allowing them to provide first-hand accounts of their stories.
Honoring the Voice of Hmong and Native American Early Educators in Wisconsin
The client was interested in better understanding the lived and cultural experiences of Wisconsin's early educators who identify specifically as Hmong and Native American. To gather a response to their inquiry, Sankofa is designing and implementing a qualitative research study to better understand this population's workforce experiences. The ultimate goal is to adopt their narratives and utilize their cultural capital to promote equity-driven policies that support high quality early education programming and the stabilization of their unique communities. .