Our Work in Action

The Culture, Race, and Equity (CRE) team strengthens communities by helping them build culturally responsive, strengths-based, and evidence-based systems, programs, and practices that support children and families. Our professional learning approach is collaborative and focused on real-world impact. Through our research, we work to connect research, practice, and policy, supporting meaningful change across diverse settings.

Explore some examples of our work below. Interested in learning more about partnering? Contact our team at edcenter.cre@bankstreet.edu.

Building Impactful Partnerships

• District 3 Harlem Schools: Since Fall 2023, CRE and the Education Center’s K-12 Math Education team have partnered with six Harlem schools to increase the percentage of Black students in pre-K-2nd grade who receive high-quality math instruction and are on track for success in mathematics by grade 3. Learn More
• New York State Department of Education (NYSED): In alliance with Bank Street Graduate School of Education, served as the chief operator of the Technical Assistance Partnership for Equity (TAP for Equity) for NYSED Office of Special Education (OSE) Educational Partnership from 2019-24. Learn More
• DC Public Schools: In 2015, CRE, partnered with the District of Columbia Public Schools to support the achievement of African American boys. Learn More
• All Hands In Professional Development: Aims to deepen practitioners’ understandings of culturally responsive, progressive, and sustainable practices to improve educational outcomes for children in the South Bronx. Learn More

Driving Research for Equity

• NYC Pre-K Leadership Study: Bank Street was one of eight New York City colleges/universities that was funded by the Foundation for Child Development from 2016-18 to explore the city’s early childhood workforce. Learn More
• Ministry of Education in Liberia: From 2010-18, CRE designed and implemented an early childhood professional development framework to support the Ministry of Education in Liberia. Learn More
• Exclusionary Practices in Preschool: This 2016–17 study examines the causes and impact of expulsion and suspension on young children in New York City. Learn More

Engaging Communities in Meaningful Dialogue

• Social Identity and Belonging at PS 110: A workshop for families to establish a shared understanding of culture, race, and equity and reflect on the roles of social identity and its impact on belonging at PS 110.
• Black Lives Matter at School Week Early Childhood Symposium: From 2019-21, CRE hosted educators, teachers, researchers, and students in an annual movement designed to promote dialogue, curricula, and community events that explore racism in educational environments and the policies and curriculum that promote equity for Black children. Learn More
• Reimagining Black Childhood: A Fireside Chat with Jacqueline Woodson Learn More
• Little Apple Film Series: In May 2019, CRE hosted a special screening and discussion of Little Apple, a sci-fi comic book and TV series, as a follow up to our Black Lives Matter at School Week Early Childhood Symposium. The event was facilitated by Akiea Gross, MSEd, and Riley S. Wilson, writer and director of the series. Learn More