Advances in education, child care, racial equity and food systems

Education

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, WKKF grantee Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (LPIC) was recently featured in Biz New Orleans’ podcast. The podcast highlighted the progress and challenges in early childhood education and child care today. LPIC’s work underscores the critical need for accessible, high-quality early education, particularly as communities recover and grow stronger. Tune in to hear more about LPIC’s impactful journey and its vision for a brighter future for all children.

IFF’s Learning Spaces program, part of Detroit’s Hope Starts Here initiative and supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, improves the quality of early childhood education by funding and designing safer, more supportive environments in child care centers. IFF and the partners it coordinates address factors like air quality, lighting and culturally mindful décor. This creates nurturing spaces that support both learning and racial equity, ensuring that all children, regardless of background, have access to high-quality early learning environments.

Mississippi

We’re thrilled to announce that Dr. Errick L. Greene, superintendent of WKKF grantee Jackson Public Schools (JPS), is being recognized with the Josephine E. Hill Superintendent Award by the National Alliance of Black School Educators. This prestigious award highlights Dr. Greene’s transformative leadership, dedication to advancing education for JPS scholars and strengthening the community. Join us in honoring this incredible milestone for Dr. Greene and JPS.

Racial Equity

The Detroit People’s Food Co-op, which opened in May 2024, exemplifies a decade-long effort to promote racial equity. The co-op has done this through community ownership, food sovereignty and community economic development in majority-Black Detroit. Spearheaded by WKKF grantee Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network, the co-op provides healthy food access and jobs while combating systemic barriers like land acquisition and racial bias in financing. Its success serves as a model for other Black communities across the country striving for food justice and self-determination.

Food Systems

A WTOP story reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a significant expansion of local food purchasing initiatives with $1.7 billion in new funding. This includes $500 million for K-12 schools and $200 million for child care facilities participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The initiative, highlighted during National Farm to School Month in October, creates new opportunities to strengthen local food systems while improving student nutrition. As states prepare for this historic investment, WKKF grantees will share insights in a webinar series hosted by the National Farm to School Network and the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists. The series explores how state-level local purchasing incentives can be made accessible and feasible for early care and education. You can register here.