Before Racism™ posits that the next significant frontier in reducing racism in America is to reach and teach very young children at their very earliest stages of cognitive, social-emotional, and language development—at the first moments they start to notice and feel differences between themselves and others. It is at these times that they begin to sense and internalize racial identity and, by definition, the potential for race bias.

Before Racism is an early childhood education program developed after reviewing and applying substantial early childhood development research and educational resources. Our mission is to support and improve the ways very young children learn about, form, internalize and express attitudes regarding racial identity and racial intolerance. In 2021 Before Racism developed a comprehensive curriculum and hired experienced professionals to train preschool and childcare center teachers on how best to integrate the program into their existing practices. We have now launched the program at four pilot sites: three locations in Minnesota and one in Massachusetts.

It is essential we determine the effectiveness of these pilot programs in order to increase their impact and sharpen their delivery. To that end, Before Racism has enlisted Wilder Research to design and implement a long-term program evaluation process for all four pilot sites. Wilder Research is the independent research arm of the nationally-recognized Wilder Foundation. Data collected through this process will identify what’s working and what isn’t working in the pilot programs, providing information and insights into how the Before Racism program can continue to be refined and improved over time.

I ask you to support the research and evaluation services provided by Wilder Research. Before Racism has set a $75,000 fundraising goal.  A match will be provided for all donations up to the first $37,500. Contribute today!

Before Racism early childhood educators and the future of America’s children thank you for your contribution. You are helping to shape and deliver early childhood learning experiences that will have a lasting impact on children’s attitudes and behaviors toward others.