At Early Excellence Project, we champion Black & Brown childcare providers by fostering quality, equity, and accessibility in early childhood education. We are committed to delivering tailored coaching, advocacy, and professional development to empower providers and influence policy.
PROJECT
EARLY
Excellence
OUR HISTORY
Located in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, the Early Excellence Project (EEP) stands as a beacon of innovation and promise. Birthed from the passionate vision of Black women educators and led by the dynamic Brittini Wright-Burley. In 2020, the organization launched the groundbreaking "Center Coaching and Outreach" initiative, not only expanding its service to the community but also fostering quality and excellence. By introducing pathbreaking webinars like "Child Care Chatter" and "Child Care 101", EEP created a vibrant digital ecosystem for childcare centers across the city. Leveraging the feedback during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, EEP sculpted a pioneering curriculum catering to both emerging and established childcare providers, in collaboration with eminent institutions including the Urban Redevelopment Association, PNC Bank, and Chatham University. In addition to the transformative curriculum and real-world learning experience, budding and seasoned childcare providers were also eligible for a $25,000 forgivable Cribs loan through Chatham University's Center for Women's Entrepreneurship.
Complementing their year-round initiatives, EEP introduced the "Keys 2 Excellence (K2E)" program, a summer literacy experience in the Hill District, seamlessly blending innovation with a culturally sustaining curriculum for children in grades K-5. Such impactful interventions have positioned EEP as an influential force in communities ranging from the Hill District to Penn Hills. With a steadfast commitment to elevating early education and nurturing the next generation, the Early Excellence Project promises a brighter, more optimistic future for Pittsburgh and beyond.
We see ourselves as future 'architects of change in childcare' and will strive to design a blueprint for highly successful and educational childcare centers and contribute to new and innovative research designs to influence the childcare landscape and policy.
The future of the early excellence project is big.
OUR VISION
OUR TEAM
We are the pioneering advocates and architects of change behind Allegheny County's childcare transformation, delivering tailored needs-based professional coaching and mentoring to early childcare providers designed to advocate, amplify, influence, and to enrich the success and learning of Black and Brown children.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Lyasha Bishop - Gaines, MBA
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & IMPACT
DaVonna Shannon, PhD
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS CONSULTANT
Cassandra Brentley, EdD
DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & CAPACITY BUILDING
Crystal Rose, EdD
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY
Erikka Grayson, MBA
LITERACY COORDINATOR
Anita Burley, MS
WORKFORCE COORDINATOR
Tracie White
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Dayna Calloway
CDA CONSULTANT
Tiffany Montgomery
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Jaquan Gethers
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Victoria Dorsett
OUR TEAM
We are the pioneering advocates and architects of change behind Allegheny County's childcare transformation, delivering tailored needs-based professional coaching and mentoring to early childcare providers designed to advocate, amplify, influence, and to enrich the success and learning of Black and Brown children.