On Friday, May 15, 2026, the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) hosted the Children, Race, and Racism Institute: The Intersectionality of Race, Equity, and Data.

The Institute began 34 years ago with the intent to undo and dismantle racism within educational spaces. This year focused on helping educators and community partners use data to better understand and support students.

Embracing Diversity and Connection

This was the largest event in the Institute’s history with approximately 350 participants who, for the first time, spanned the entire early learning journey: pre-K through third grade. Attendees had opportunities throughout the day to network with fellow educators and connect around their shared commitment to students. Onsite American Sign Language interpreters and digital translation services further expanded connection and access to this valuable content.

Putting People First

Keynote speaker Brooke Brown — an equity specialist, community advocate, and 2021 Washington State Teacher of the Year — anchored the day with lessons on how we can work together to create humanizing practices. Brown also introduced the Institute’s central concept of “street data,” which is an approach that treats the lived experience of children and families as equally valuable to data found in any spreadsheet or report.

Turning Information into Action and Outcomes

Participants attended a variety of workshops led by local and national experts. These sessions translated equity and data into actionable insights that educators and partners could implement right away.

 Sessions included:

• Making Meaning of Data Through an Equity Lens, with Maddy Colson (Chehalis) and Sarita Siqueiros Thornburg
• Liberatory Design: Centering the Wisdom of Black and Brown Children, Families, and Early Educators, with Dr. Melia LaCour
• Beyond the Scores: Using ASQ Through an Equity and Family Engagement Lens, with Ramla Mohamed MS, LMHCA, NCC
• Learning Stories, a narrative approach to assessment, with Hilltop Children’s Center
• Fostering Social-Emotional Growth in Preschool, with DEEL staff
• Enhancing Self-Awareness and Social-Consciousness, with Leticia Nieto, PsyD. LMFT. TEP
• Data with Heart: Using SmartTeach to Guide Every Child’s Next Steps, with Amber D. Gallagher-Havens, M.Ed.

We also hosted a panel discussion on Building Bridges Across Early Learning, led by Dr. Debra R Sullivan, which incorporated educators, administrators, and families from Seattle Public Schools.

Celebrating Milestones and Preparing for Even Greater Impact

The 2026 Institute aligned with the 10th anniversary of the Seattle Preschool Program and final year of the 2018 Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy. The Levy has expanded equitable access to learning opportunities and built a better future for students and families. Seattle voters overwhelmingly renewed the FEPP Levy last year, which will support existing priorities and impactful new initiatives for the next seven years, including high-quality affordable preschool, youth mental health services, and career preparation.

We’re so grateful to everyone who made this event possible. A special thank-you goes to South Seattle College for providing the facility and Puget Sound Educational Service District for supporting data analysis, materials, and workshops.

The Children, Race, and Racism Institute is DEEL’s signature event. Learn more at Education.Seattle.gov.