By Anthony Kinslow II, PhD

For generations, Black communities have been systematically denied the resources and opportunities provided to other American communities. Justice40 is more than a Biden-Harris initiative — it ensures a financial commitment to restore communities from historical inequities and bring lasting investment where needed most. It doesn’t matter if you don’t love Vice President Kamala Harris, are skeptical about her policies, or dislike her background as a prosecutor. If we want to see the progress and resources for Justice40 communities continue, we need to vote for her. The stakes in this upcoming election go beyond personal feelings and political preferences. A crucial piece of policy that directly impacts Black communities across the country is on the line:

President Biden’s Justice40 initiative. This executive order ensures that 40% of federal investment benefits flow to disadvantaged communities, addressing deep-seated inequities. Because the initiative was instituted via executive order if we don’t have President Kamala Harris in November, the executive order will likely be struck down. Justice40 touches every federal department—housing, education, transportation, energy, environmental protection, and much more. Using a broad range of metrics to define disadvantaged communities, the program is designed to avoid legal challenges while ensuring that many Black communities benefit from these federal investments.

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Despite this historic initiative, much of the progress to implement this initiative could be undone by the results of this election. Justice40 is an executive order, and like all executive orders, it can be canceled with the stroke of a pen by the next president. If a Republican administration takes over, there’s every reason to believe this effort will be scrapped, especially with Trump’s explicit desire to reverse Biden’s policies. This is why we must cast our vote. This isn’t just about a candidate– it’s about securing a future where Black communities are finally prioritized.

In a Harris administration or a continued Biden-Harris presidency, we can expect the Justice40 program to grow and be further institutionalized. This progress has already started slowly but surely in departments such as the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), with leaders working on systemic change. I know Many of our people in these positions working to make meaningful, lasting changes. This is in stark contrast to Trump’s presidency. While government work is always slow, the groundwork is being laid. For this progress to take root and continue benefiting our communities, voting to preserve it is essential. This is our vote to keep federal funds flowing to our neighborhoods.

SO, VOTE! Together, we can ensure that the Justice40 program continues to grow and uplift communities that have been left behind for far too long.

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By Stacy Brown, Sr. and Greer Marshall

With just one week until the pulse of the nation beats at the ballot box and over 51 million votes already cast, Kamala Harris stood before an audience Tuesday night that outgrew its bounds. What was once imagined as an intimate gathering of 8,000 souls evolved into an ocean of hope, a swelling tide of support that illuminated the final stretch of her journey, with over 75,000 people gathering at the Ellipse in our nation’s capital.

At 7:37 pm, under a sky heavy with purpose, Harris stepped onto the stage, embraced by a wave of thunderous love—a scene lit in flashing reds and blues, where applause rolled like a breaking tide. Her spirit was ablaze as she lifted her voice: “Good evening, America!” Each word rose above the chants of her name, pulsing through the crowd, “Kamala, Kamala.” Her gaze remained steady and with reverence for each life present as she continued to speak. “Thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives.” When she paused, it was clear that she was feeling the weight of the moment. With clear conviction, she said, ”One week from today, you will have a chance to make a decision that directly affects your lives, the lives of your family, and the future of this country. It will probably be the most important vote you’ve ever cast,” she said. Beyond selecting between two parties and two candidates, she said, “It’s about more than just making a choice—of whether you have a country of freedom or one ruled by division.”

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Emphasizing her focus on “common ground and common-sense solutions,” Harris promised to hold space for all, regardless of creed or corner of the country. “I am not here to play politics; I am here to make progress,” she proclaimed, as “Freedom” and “USA” banners waved above the crowd like living symbols. “Unlike Donald Trump, I don’t believe people who disagree with me are the enemy. He wants to put them in jail. We have to stop pointing fingers and start locking arms. It’s time to turn the page on the drama, conflict, fear, and division,” Harris advises.

The atmosphere was pulsating, like a never-ending fiesta for the soul. To secure her spot, Fatimah Glasnow came five hours early from Southeast D.C. and said she was deeply moved. “The feeling here is hope, love, and peace,” Glasnow said. “An America where we can all thrive, regardless of our race or gender. I needed this kind of energy in my life.”

Glasnow felt seen and empowered, and her faith was renewed by Harris’ words, especially on issues of social and maternal justice. “She’s advocated for social justice and, really, justice itself.”

For Harris, this gathering was more than a rally; it was a moment to lay bare the heart of her mission, a testament to what fuels her as a leader. There’s something about people being treated unfairly or overlooked that, frankly, just gets to me,” she shared. “I don’t like it. It’s what my mother instilled in me—a drive to hold accountable those who use their wealth or power to take advantage of others.”

When addressing the fall of Roe v. Wade, her resolve was clear. She promised America, “I will fight to restore what Donald Trump and his hand-selected Supreme Court justices took away from the women of America.” With this pledge, Harris reaffirmed her steadfast commitment to preserving and expanding civil rights.

Capitol Hill resident Leander Davis, a social services worker, said Harris’ words resonated deeply. “She’s all of us,” Davis said. “She’s been criticized, ostracized, demonized, and called all sorts of names, yet she hasn’t stopped fighting for what’s right. When she’s president, we will all be better off.”

Harris’ campaign is woven from a life spent challenging injustice and protecting those vulnerable. This was personal. As her words echoed, the crowd’s response was nothing less than electric. Harris made it clear: Her campaign was a call to action. Vowing, “If you give me the chance to fight on your behalf, there is nothing in the world that will stand in my way.”

A striking contrast to the divisive language that has marked Trump’s racist rhetoric, Harris did not shy away from the comparison. “If elected, Donald Trump would walk into that office,” Harris said, gesturing toward the White House, “with an enemies list. When elected, I will walk in with a to-do list.” Her words painted a vision of governance rooted not in vengeance but in purpose. Her administration, she pledged, would focus on practical solutions: lowering costs, supporting working families, and rekindling a sense of unity and shared ambition across the nation.

Though her years as Vice President under President Joe Biden had been an honor, Harris acknowledged the urgency of a new direction. “I have been honored to serve as Joe Biden’s vice president,” she said. “But I will bring my own experiences and ideas to the Oval Office. My presidency will be different because the challenges we face are different.” Her voice conveyed both respect and determination—a promise to carry forward Biden’s legacy but forge a new path to meet America’s evolving needs.

The vice president confronted the charged topic of immigration, calling for accountability and cooperation. “Politicians have got to stop treating immigration as an issue to scare up votes in an election—and instead treat it as the serious challenge that it is,” she said, “that we must finally come together to solve.” She also insisted that “I will work with Democrats and Republicans to sign into law the border security bill that Donald Trump killed.”

Harris said while she will focus on prosecuting cartels and transnational gangs, “we must acknowledge we are a nation of immigrants.” Vowing to push for change that would reflect the country’s roots and values. Harris said, “And I will work with Congress to pass immigration reform, including an earned path to citizenship for hardworking immigrants, like farmworkers and our laborers.”

As her speech reached its crescendo, Harris delivered a final rallying cry. “America, we’ve been consumed by division, chaos, and mistrust for too long. But it doesn’t have to be this way,” she proclaimed, her voice rising with passion. “It is time for a new generation of leadership, and I am ready to offer that leadership as the next President of the United States.”

Evoking images of marches and a vision of unity, she said, “I grew up as a child of the civil rights movement.” She said, “My parents took me to those marches, pushing me in a stroller through crowds of people of all races, faiths, and walks of life, all fighting for the ideals of freedom and opportunity. I’ve lived the promise of America.”

Her voice was thick with memory and gratitude as she reflected on her mother’s sacrifices and determination, sharing, “I saw how hard our mother worked to give her daughters the same chances this country gave her,” Harris said. “Growing up, I was blessed to have family by blood and family by love, who instilled in me the values of community, compassion, and faith that have always defined our nation at its best. I’ve lived the promise of America.”

In her closing remarks, her face reflected the nation’s hopes and struggles. “I’ve spent my life fighting for the people who have been hurt and counted out, but never stopped believing that in our country anything is possible,” Harris said. “I have lived the promise of America, and I see the promise of America in all of you. In all of you, I see it.”

Harris’ message was unmistakable: this was a campaign fueled by purpose and people and grounded in the unyielding pursuit of justice. More than a candidate, Harris stood as a bridge to a future where leadership meant action and inclusion, a vision built on the resilience and spirit of every American she vowed to serve.

In these final days of her campaign, Harris stands at the crossroads of dreams and demands. Surrounded by an ocean of optimistic faces, on this night, Harris underscores the magic of the moment. She reminds us that our decision was more than just a vote—it was a breath of courage, a step toward a world remade.

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Usma Mohamed, Ed.D., Council for Professional Recognition

Experts have highlighted research for many years that stresses how the most important part of education success relates to the quality of the teaching in the classroom. RAND reports that “When it comes to student performance on reading and math tests, teachers are estimated to have two to three times the effect of any other school factor, including services, facilities, and even leadership.” Quality teaching matters as much in early childhood education as it does in K-12 classrooms. In fact, the effort to better understand and support early childhood educators is growing.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) released research, in collaboration with The Education Trust, that looked at the responses, reactions, and recommendations from early childhood educators of color; the report examined the “structures, supports, and funding needed to support early childhood educators in increasing their educational qualifications, without deepening existing divisions along racial, geographic, socioeconomic, and linguistic lines.” The report, “Increasing Qualifications, Centering Equity: Experiences and Advice from Early Childhood Educators of Color,” includes participants’ initial reactions to the “prospect of earning a credential or degree; their reflections on their experiences; and their recommendations to policymakers on how to support this transition to increased qualifications for others.” The findings from the report stated that when policies change so that credentials and/or degrees become requirements, education systems have an obligation to support early childhood educators of color in tangible ways that respond to their expressed strengths and needs.

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These supports include financial, workplace, higher education, and personal so that the leaders can maintain and grow workforce diversity. The need for research in this area continues to grow. This month the Council for Professional Recognition announced it had selected The Stanford Center on Early Childhood at Stanford University to conduct the most extensive and in-depth research project ever undertaken in the nearly 50-year history of the Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential. The study will seek to understand the ways CDA has impacted the early childhood workforce. “Understanding the Impact of the Child Development Associate® Credential on Educator Outcomes” will also aim to identify opportunities to further bolster the effectiveness of the CDA credentialing process and support career pathways and trajectories for early educators.

The Council administers the CDA, the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE). To date, over 1 million CDA credentials have been issued around the world. The CDA is a key steppingstone on the path of career advancement in ECE and is based on a core set of competency standards that guide early childhood professionals toward becoming qualified educators of young children. Dr. Calvin E. Moore, Jr., CEO of the Council, says, “This announcement highlights the Council’s commitment to taking our research capabilities and insights to the next level. Research has always been at the forefront of our efforts, including through our CDA Holder Survey and the Reimagining the CDA Process Initiative. We’re proud the CDA continues to attract new interest, and this research will help us provide even more data and understanding at this critical time for early childhood education.” Dr. Moore says the Council’s Director of Psychometrics and Research, Dr. Richard S. Brown, led the intense review process for a research partner and will oversee the project and others as the Council’s research initiatives continue to expand.

Dr. Philip Fisher, Director of the Stanford Center on Early Childhood, and Excellence in Learning Professor at the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University, says, “This study is a critical first step in evaluating the CDA that will yield important learnings to advance the Council for Professional Recognition’s ongoing evaluation and research efforts. Given CDA’s history and prevalence, our findings will be meaningful to both the Council for Professional Recognition and the entire early childhood sector. Our approach, grounded in centering participant voice, adeptly aligns with the Council’s values of listening, learning, and putting stakeholders first.”

Dr. Fisher and his team will use the Continuous Improvement Rapid Cycle Learning and Evaluation (CIRCLE) framework, a robust evaluation methodology. The framework will weave together multiple data sources (quantitative and open-ended response surveys, focus groups, and interviews) to not only quantify CDA impact but also capture the lived experiences of educators as they relate to CDA. The research will examine educators who’ve attained the CDA as well as those who have not. The Council estimates the research will take at least two years to complete.

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