There is a growing body of research and evidence that makes clear that children’s racial sensibilities begin to form in infancy, that almost all children develop racial and other biases by kindergarten, and that those biases become fairly entrenched by adolescence. And yet, most national organizations dedicated to children’s racial learning direct their resources mainly to middle and high school educators. There are too few resources for young children available for parents, grandparents or other caregivers or for early childhood educators.
EmbraceRace helps fill that gap.
EmbraceRace was founded in early 2016 by two parents who set out to create the community and gather the resources they needed (need!) to meet the challenges faced by those raising children in a world where race matters.
Melissa Giraud is a first-generation American, multiracial (Black/white) daughter of a mother from Quebec and a father from Dominica. She has brought a racial equity and social justice lens to her work as a radio producer, storyteller, K-12 educator and ed tech strategist.
Andrew Grant-Thomas is a Black man of Jamaican origins, born on the 4th of July. He is a long-time social justice and racial justice researcher and advocate. Andrew and Melissa have two girls, ages 10 and 12.
EmbraceRace is ably supported by a wonderful national advisory group, a leadership team and a dedicated team of consultants and volunteers.