About P.R.I.D.E.
Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education
Learn About P.R.I.D.E.
P.R.I.D.E. helps parents, caregivers, educators, and community leaders learn about the many ways race impacts young children, as well as helping them understand the importance of discussing race with young children. We provide them with various learning opportunities, including: trainings for educators and artists, Parent Village sessions for Black children, and art festivals created to immerse young Black children in a space designed to celebrate them. Research and evaluation is also built into P.R.I.D.E. to regularly assess program components.
what does p.r.i.d.e. stand for?
P.R.I.D.E. stands for Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education. The P.R.I.D.E. program helps Black children feel good about their skin color and proud of their heritage by reaching the important adults in their life: parents, caregivers, educators, and community leaders. P.R.I.D.E. provides these people with the knowledge and skills necessary to talk to young children about their race and history.
is p.r.i.d.e. part of the university of Pittsburgh?
Yes. P.R.I.D.E. is part of the Office of Child Development, which implements community programs throughout the region. The Office of Child Development is part of the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.
What does p.r.i.d.e. do?
P.R.I.D.E. helps parents, educators, professionals, and the community at-large understand how race impacts children and provides them with resources to enhance their ability to talk to children about race. The components include: Parent Village, Pop Up Mini Art Festivals, Speaker Series, Professional Development, and Research and Evaluation.
Do kids really notice race?
The short answer? Yes. Children as young as three months old begin to notice when someone has a skin color that differs from that of their parents’ or primary caretaker’s. For more information about on race and children, click here for P.R.I.D.E. research.
Is this just for black children?
Our focus currently is on Black children, but we fully recognize that all children should feel good about how they look, their history, and their culture. We do have hopes of expanding to do work that includes children of other races as the size and scope of P.R.I.D.E. continues to grow.
DOES P.R.I.D.E. DO WORK IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS?
At the moment, P.R.I.D.E. work exists in the neighborhoods of East Liberty, Homewood, and the Hill District in Pittsburgh. However, the P.R.I.D.E. Speaker Series offer opportunities for communities across the region to learn more about the intersection of race and young children. The P.R.I.D.E. model can extend to other areas as well. Learn how to host a Pop Up Mini Art Festival in your neighborhood with this guide.
Can i help or volunteer with P.R.I.D.E.?
Our Pop Up Mini Art Festivals and Speaker Series require a dedicated team of volunteers, and we are always looking for enthusiastic people to help. If you are interested, please fill out this form or email RacePRIDE@Pitt.edu.
How can i learn more?
We have resources for educators and parents on our website, and you can sign up for our newsletter below. Additionally, follow us on social media — @ThePRIDEprogram — for even more updates.