I Be Black Girl x NECC:
Child Care Catalyst Program
NECC and I Be Black Girl have collaborated to provide a unique business accelerator experience called, The Child Care Catalyst, specifically designed for Black women & femme-owned, licensed child care programs located in Omaha (family child care homes or centers accepted). Due to limited program space, not all who apply will be accepted.
About the Child Care Catalyst
This 10-week program that has been carefully crafted to serve Black women & femme child care providers in Omaha with intentional space to actualize their entrepreneurial vision & gain economic liberation. Program owners will learn more about operating a successful business, build a like-minded peer network and gain access to resources, professional services and actionable toolkits to help grow and maintain your business.
Our Collaboration
IBBG & NECC noticed the intersectionality of their work and who they serve. With this, we came together to empower Black women and femme child care owners in Omaha to take their business’ success into their own hands with culturally relevant education, a like-minded peer group & resources to have a successful, longevous business. Working with key leadership at each organization, we are crafting a one-of-a-kind experience to empower the Black women & femme child care providers in our community.
The Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) connects, equips, and empowers child care providers and parents to strengthen early learning across Nebraska.
Child care providers and families in Nebraska need and deserve support to ensure continued growth for themselves and better outcomes for the children in their care. NECC, in a bold and creative way, leads the field in its approach to community support, business resources, and educator training.
I Be Black Girl (IBBG) is a reproductive justice organization that leads with boldness, innovation and inspiration, actively creating a radical change-making culture that centers Black women, femmes and girls. Inspired by the work of bell hooks, Audre Lorde and other Black feminist and womanist, our organization provides transformational change at the intersections of gender and race.
Mission Statement: I Be Black Girl serves as a collective for Black women, femmes and girls to actualize their full potential to authentically be, through autonomy, abundance and liberation.
Applications are currently closed. Thank you!
Next Steps
After the initial application, you will be contacted for a 1-on-1 meeting with IBBG & NECC to further determine your eligibility for the program. Not all applicants will make it to this round. Please reach out to Bryonna Ward at bryonna@ibeblackgirl.org or Tierra Harper at tharper@nebraskaearly.org if you have any questions.
Timeline & Commitment
Cohort will take place between September 21 – December 6, 2024.
Weekly Time Commitment:
The expected weekly time commitment is approximately 4-5 hours per week. This time includes engaging with the Catalyst content, turning in assignments and applying the learned information to your business. This is time to work on YOUR program.
In-Person Meetings:
There will be 2 in-person meetings over the course of this cohort. Each event will last 2-3 hours. Your attendance will be required at both of these meetings and children may attend if needed.
- Child Care Catalyst Onboarding Meeting:
- Saturday, September 21, 2024 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
- Catalyst Farewell Event:
- Saturday, December 6, 2024| 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Virtual Meetings:
There will be a series of virtual meetings over the course of this cohort which include group check-ins, individual check-ins and professional resource meetings with experts in their field. Your attendance at these meetings is required. All specific meeting dates will be outlined in an email to applicants.
- Group Check-In Meetings:
- Thursday, October 17, 2024 | TBDpm – TBDpm
- Thursday, November 14, 2024 | TBDpm – TBDpm
- Individual Check-In Meetings:
- Week of October 28, 2024
- Week of November 18, 2024
- Financial Literacy Technical Support Meeting:
- Thursday, November 7 | 6:00pm
- Branding and Marketing Technical Support Meeting:
- DATE TBD
- Small Business Association Technical Support Meeting:
- DATE TBD
- Attorney:
- DATE TBD
- Grant Writing/Funding Technical Support Meeting:
- DATE TBD
Technology:
You’ll be using an online learning platform. Within this platform you will complete The Catalyst program, submit your assignments, attend virtual meetings and communicate within certain discussion boards. You must have the ability to connect to the internet weekly, at minimum.
