PolicyLink and StriveTogether: Building cradle-to-career pathways from poverty to opportunity

By Michael McAfee, president and CEO of PolicyLink, and Jennifer Blatz, president and CEO of StriveTogether At PolicyLink and StriveTogether, we believe every child should have the opportunity to succeed in school and in life, regardless of race, zip code or circumstance. This is the most pressing issue of our generation. Yet increasingly the data…


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From starting small to building community: Working effectively for kids and families

Guest blog post by Ida Thompson, director of national network and program affairs at Spartanburg Academic Movement. 2012 in Spartanburg, S.C.: Too many children were entering kindergarten not ready to learn. Access to developmental screening for young children was non-existent. Only a few educators and advocates kept early childhood issues front and center. The Children’s…


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Ballmer Group Grantee Spotlight: StriveTogether

This post originally appeared on Ballmer Group’s website.  A data-driven approach to community partnership that supports kids cradle to career After the first five years of the original StrivePartnership, nine percent more children were ready for kindergarten and college enrollment had jumped 10 percent. By Jeff Edmondson, Executive Director – Community Mobilization In 2006, more…


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frank 2019: Closing the space between us through stories for social impact

“You don’t need permission to be great.” “You don’t need permission to make space.” These powerful words by a young woman named Mary-Pat Hector set the stage for three days of community and creativity at frank 2019 in Gainesville, Fla. I’m still feeling inspired and invigorated by the gathering earlier this month, when I was…

Welcoming James Bell and Tony Pipa to the StriveTogether board of directors

I’m thrilled to announce our two newest board members, both of whom bring extensive experience and expertise in championing social justice and advancing inclusive economic development. James Bell, founding president of the W. Haywood Burns Institute, and Tony Pipa, a senior fellow in the Global Economy and Development program at the Brookings Institution, joined our…

Creating ripple effects: Building a culture of continuous quality improvement in Arizona

Guest blog post by StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network member Cradle to Career Partnership In Pima County, Arizona, the number of 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in high-quality early education rose from 16.4 percent to 21.5 percent over two years. But nearly 15,000 kids still don’t have access to these programs. We need community leaders to…


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Seeking wisdom from the Rev. King to drive us out of the darkness and into the light

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” — Martin Luther King Jr. On the day in which we celebrate the life, achievements and influence of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., I find myself searching his writings for some hope and inspiration…