I Be Black Girl, in collaboration with the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, has concluded the first cohort of the Childcare Business Catalyst Program. The program is a workforce initiative crafted to serve Black women childcare providers in the Omaha area with intentional space to build, grow and maintain their childcare business. I Be Black Girl is honored to graduate 11 licensed childcare providers from The Childcare Business Catalyst program. These providers include a mix of both in-home childcare and childcare centers.
According to the 2023 Kids Count in Nebraska Report created by Voices for Children in Nebraska, the number of licensed childcare facilities statewide declined by 17% from 2020 to 2022. On top of declined childcare facilities, in 2022 (last year of available data), nine Nebraska counties had zero licensed childcare facilities and 23 counties failed to meet the licensed childcare needs for at least half their young children.
“This program has not only fostered entrepreneurship but empowered our graduates to create spaces where children can thrive and grow,” said Bryonna Ward, Catalyst Program Associate at I Be Black Girl.
Program participants received training and technical support in the areas of:
- Successful business planning
- Business value proposition
- Financial literacy
- Accessing funding
- Branding and marketing
- Risk management
I Be Black Girl will host a wrap-up event honoring the 11 graduates on December 7, 2024, from 11 AM – 1 PM at the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, located at 3200 N 30th St, STE 200, Omaha, NE 68111. The celebration will recognize the accomplishments of the graduates, along with opportunities for networking, celebration, and reflection on the program’s impact.
“I’m so proud to have been part of this journey and look forward to seeing the lasting impact these leaders will continue to have on their communities,” said Ward.
Graduates include:
- Brilliant Brains Learning Center (Tasha McNeil)
- Edutain Childcare (Gwladys Nare)
- In Loving Hands Childcare (Trina Jenkins)
- Ann’s Ark Childcare LLC (DaeJanira LynCook)
- Tinks Learning & Educational Childcare (Cheri Davis)
- Sprouts Learning Center (Andrea Baker)
- Benjamin Academy Daycare (Troy Lawrence)
- Diamonds & Pearls II (Qiana Sharp)
- Chosen 1 Child Development Center (Bonita Sims)
- Jambo Daycare (Ikran Hamza)
- Heavens Little Angels (Kimmey Cain)
Learn more about the Catalyst Program here
