About Us

Little Chairs Big Differences

As early childhood educators we are fundamentally involved in raising awareness and challenging perceptions and accepted norms for the youngest learners and those who work with them, yet we are often left out of larger conversations about identity and intersectionality. Little Chairs Big Differences aims to create space for a means of both celebrating and going deeper into this work, broadening our understanding, and being more action-oriented toward creating a more just society and world. We aim to challenge some of the dominant views of children/childhood- those that perpetuate beliefs that children are incapable, incompetent, innocent, or inexperienced because of their young age, and that those who work with them are any less capable of transforming their communities and world.

Our gatherings and events are designed to bring together people who love and work with young children, birth to 8 years old, in various capacities.

As a collective, we are committed to moving beyond just naming difference, and putting thought into action. We are committed to creating and and cultivating a sense of belonging, exploring race conscious classrooms and communities, presenting, listening to and understanding our voices as caregivers and other marginalized groups, fostering more inclusive environments, advocating for access and affordability, and responding to and preventing violence against people of color, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people living in poverty and other marginalized groups. We are awake and know this work of creating a space for belonging begins early so that we can build a better path--not a cradle to prison pipeline, but one of potential and possibility for all of our youngest children.  

LCBD Planning Committee is: Niko Bialek, Teressa Brake, Ana Mercedes Facenda, Rachel Figuerasmith, Stephen Figuerasmith, Noa DeSimone, Nicole Cirino, Wendy Cole, Lacey Peters, Orinthia Swindell, Shannon Vazquez, Angelica Velazquez, Marisa Wallin

For more information, or to find more ways to connect with us, please email us at ecediversityconference@gmail.com