Resources

The Equity Research Action Coalition’s mission is to conduct research that informs practices and policies aimed at protecting, promoting, and preserving the health, economic security, and cultural excellence of Black and other minoritized children and their families. One of the primary ways we can inform practices and policies is by sharing the knowledge we gain through a variety of publications. These publications are the result of successful collaborations with academic partners and foundation sponsors. Through these vital relationships, we will ensure that practices and policies push forward, facilitating change through research that will have a positive impact on Black and other minoritized children and their families.

Black children’s lives matter. Unfortunately, Black children in the United States of America face a dual reality: growing up in the “land of opportunity” while also experiencing the reality of racism an inequities that impact their daily lives. The Equity Research Action Coalition, POINTS of ACCESS, LLC, and the National Black Child Development Institute have collaborated in creating the Black Child National Agenda because of the urgent need to challenge the negative and stereotypical narrative of Black children, families, and communities and to challenge policies and systems that undermine basic human rights and community wellness.

View the Black Child National Agenda Data Dashboard

Black FA3M Census Study

Black Child National Agenda final report 2024

Iruka, I., Suggs, M.

Published: December 2024
A Just Recovery: Weathering the Storm in Freedmen’s Town: An Exploration of Residents’ Cultural Resilience Through Defiance

Davis, C. R., Goldin, S., Iruka, I. U., Dede, B., Morgan, J., Fetaw, R., George, G., Lacey, M., & Morgan, T. 

Published: September 2024
Black Child National Agenda Statewide Analysis Report 2024

Suggs, M., Iruka, I., Telfer, N.A.

BCNA State Ranking Report 2024

Published: August 2024
ECERS-3: Identifying Gaps and Equity Challenges: Final Recommendations for Authors of ECERS-4

Yazejian, N., & Iruka, I. U.

Published: June 2024
Review of Policy Effects on Black Families and Children: Advancing the Black Child National Agenda

Catherine, E., Alexander, B., Iruka, I. U., Meek, S., Edwards,  M.C.

Published: April 2024
START WITH EQUITY: NC Early Childhood Education Equity Analyses Project

Iruka, I. U., Kaplan, R., Suggs, M., and Kotz, R.

Published: March 2024
Strategies Toward the Equitable Implementation of PreK in Family Child Care

Morgan, J. A., Bromer, J., Melvin, S. A., Lewis, S., Hustedt, J., Hallam, R., & Iruka, I. U.

Published: February 2024
Black Child National Agenda Statewide Analysis Report 2023

Suggs, M., Iruka, I., Telfer, N.A.

Published: December 2023
The Next Generation of Head Start: Expanding Access, Improving Quality, Advancing Equity

Meek, S., Iruka, I. U., Curenton, S., Soto-Boykin, X., Gordon, L., Alexander, B. L., Bucher, E., Blevins, D., & Babrow, D.

Published: October 2023
Black Child National Agenda Strategic Plan Template

Iruka I. U., Edwards, M. C.

Published: 2023
Advancing Racial Equity in Child Development through Antiracist Developmental Science

Iruka, I. U., Clepper-Faith, M., & Forte, A.

Published: 2023
Strategies Toward the Equitable Implementation of PreK in Family Child Care: Curriculum, Assessment, Developmental Screening, and Monitoring

Lewis, S., Hallam, R., Hustedt, J. T., Bromer, J., Melvin, S. A., Iruka, I. U., & Morgan, J. A.

Published: March 2023
Are Black and Latine Families with Babies Feeling Relief from the Child Tax Credit? (Final Report, March 2023)

Bathia, D., Suggs, M., Sims, J, & Iruka, I. U.

Published: March 2023
Fact Sheet: Advancing Racial Equity in Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education

Iruka, I. U., Blanchard, S., Commons, C. M., Guzman, R., Kasprzak, C. M., Kemp, P., Newton, J., Perry, S., Studt, W., Talley, M., Tamminga Flores, C., Turner, T., Williams, C. A., Rooney, R., McCullough, K., Bennett, D., & Lazara, A.

Published: January 2023
ECERS-3: Identifying Gaps and Equity Challenges Focus Group Themes

Tefler, N. A., Kaplan, R., Yazejian, N., & Iruka, I.

Published: December 2022
Replication and Sustainability Plan

Mburi, M., Iruka, I. U.

Published: November 2022
Black Parents and Their Babies: The Dual Pandemic of Racism and COVID-19, 2019–2022

Iruka, I. U., Sims, J., Stafford, B. A, & Hunter-Rainey, S.

Published: October 2022
Ethnic-Racial Identity Formation in the Early Years

Iruka, I. U., Curenton, S. M., Sims, J., Harris, K., & Ibekwe-Okafor, N.,

Published: 2021
Research to Practice Brief: Delivering on the Promise Through Equitable Policies

Iruka, I. U., Oliva-Olsen, C., & Garcia, E.

Published: 2021
Anti-racist policymaking to protect, promote, and preserve Black families and babies

Iruka, I. U., *Harper, K., *Lloyd, C.M., Boddicker-Young, P., De Marco, A., & Jarvis, B.

Published: 2021
Applying Indicators and Theory to the Delivery of Early Care and Education Supports for Black Families with Infants and Toddlers

Lloyd, C.M., Boddicker-Young, P. & Schaefer, C.

Published: 2021
Black Child National Agenda: America Must Deliver on its Promise

Iruka, I. U., James, C., Reaves, C., & Forte, A.

Published: 2021
Black Parents and Their Babies: Attending to the First 1,000 Days

Iruka, I. U., Sims, J., & Forte, A.

Published: 2021
Start With Equity: Early Childhood Equity Strategic Plan Template

Blevins, D., Meek, S., & Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2021
Advancing Equity in Early Care and Education Systems With the American Rescue Plan Act

Meek, S., Iruka, I. U., Catherine, E., Yazzie, D. A., Gilliam, W., McIntosh, K., Fernandez, V., Blevins, D., Jimenez, O., & Garcia, E.

Published: 2021
Black Parent Voices: Resilience in the Face of the Two Pandemics—COVID-19 and Racism

Iruka, I. U., Curenton, S. M., Sims, J., Escayg, K-A., Ibekwe-Okafor, N., & RAPID-EC

Published: 2021
Start With Equity: 14 Priorities to Dismantle Systemic Racism in Early Care and Education

Meek, S., Iruka, I. U., Allen, R., Yazzie, D. A., Fernandez, V., Catherine, E., McIntosh, K., Gordon, L., Gilliam, W., Hemmeter, M. L., Blevins, D., & Powell, T.

Published: 2020

Strategies Toward the Equitable Implementation of PreK in Family Child Care

Lewis S., Hallam R., Hustedt J.T., Bromer J., Melvin S.A, Iruka I.U., and Morgan J.A.

Published: March 2023
Are Black and Latine Families with Babies Feeling Relief from the Child Tax Credit? (Aug 2022)

 Bathia, D., Suggs, M.,  Sims, J, & Iruka, I. U.

Published: August 2022
Are Black and Latine Families with Babies Feeling Relief from the Child Tax Credit? (Apr 2022)
Published: April 2022
Are Black and Latine Families with Babies Feeling Relief from the Child Tax Credit? (Feb 2022)
Published: February 2022
Are Black and Latine Families With Babies Feeling Relief From the Child Tax Credit? (Dec 2021)

Iruka, I. U., Bathia, D., Suggs, M., & Sims, J.

Published: December 2021
Are Black and Latine Families With Babies Feeling Relief From the Child Tax Credit? (Nov 2021)

Iruka, I. U., Bathia, D., Suggs, M., Hunter-Rainey , S., Forte, A., Camero, D., Liy, A., & Sims, J.

Published: November 2021
Are Black and Latine Families With Babies Feeling Relief From the Child Tax Credit? (Oct 2021)

Iruka, I. U., Sims, J., Bathia, D., & Suggs, M.

Published: 2021
Initial validation of the family cultural wealth survey: Relation with racial discrimination and well-being for black families

Iruka, I. U., Forte, A. B., Liu, S., Sims, J., & Curenton, S. M.

Published: 2024
African-centered education (ACE): Strategies to advance culturally responsive pedagogy and equitable learning opportunities for young black children

Iruka, I. U., Musa, T., & Allen, D. J.

Published: 2023
Teachers’ awareness of systematic and individual racial bias as a first step towards antiracist schools

Legette, K. B., Iruka, I. U., Halberstadt, A. G., & Forte, A. B.

Published: 2023
Lead teacher, assistant teacher, and peer racial/ethnic match and child outcomes for black children enrolled in enhanced high-quality early care and education programs

Soliday Hong, S. L., Legette, K. B., Kuhn, L. Zgourou, E. Kainz, K., Yazejian, N., & Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2023
Dismantling the black-white achievement gap paradigm: Why and how we need to focus instead on systematic change

Gardner-Neblett, N., Iruka, I. U., & Humphries, M. L.

Published: 2023
Examining the relationship between discrimination, access to material resources, and black children’s behavioral functioning during COVID-19

Ibekwe-Okafor, N., Sims, J., Liu, S., Curenton-Jolly, S., Iruka, I., Escayg, K.-A., Bruno, B., & Fisher, P.

Published: 2023
Effects of racism on child development: Advancing antiracist developmental science

Iruka, I. U., Gardner-Neblett, N., Tefler, N. A., Ibekwe-Okafor, N., Curenton, S. M., Sims, J., Sansbury, A. B., & Neblett, E. W.

Published: 2022
Early childhood program ethnic composition and associations with quality and children’s language and social-emotional development.

Iruka, I. U., Kainz, K., Kuhn, L., Guss, S.*, Tokarz, S., Yazejian, N., & Niño, S.*

Published: 2022
Examining the relationship between discrimination, access to material resources, and Black children’s behavioral functioning during COVID-19.

Ibekwe-Okafor, N.**, Sims, J.**, Liu, S., Curenton-Jolly, S., Iruka, I. U., Escayg, K.-A., Bruno, B., & Fisher, P.

Published: 2022
Delivering on the promise of early childhood education for black children: An equity strategy.

Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2022
Effects of racism on child development: Advancing ant-racist developmental science.

Iruka, I. U., Gardner-Neblett, N., Telfer, N. A.*, Ibekwe-Okafor, N.**, Curenton, S. M., Sims, J.**, Sansbury, A. B.*, & Neblett, E. W.

Published: 2022
Early care and education settings for socializations: New directions for quality assessment.

Phillips, D. A., Johnson, A., & Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2022
Antiracism defined as equitable sociocultural interactions in prekindergarten: Classroom racial composition makes a difference.

Curenton, S. M., Rochester, S. E., Sims, J.**, Ibekwe-Okafor, N.**, Iruka, I. U., García-Miranda, A. G., & Whittaker, J.

Published: 2022
Supporting and engaging with diverse families during the early years: emerging approaches that matter for children and families.

Iruka, I. U., Cabrera, N., & Páez, M.

Published: 2022
A culturally grounded autism parent training program with Black parents.

Kaiser, K., Villalobos, M. E., Locke, J., Iruka, I. U., Proctor, C., & Boyd, B.

Published: 2022
Examining Malleable Factors That Explain the End-of-Kindergarten Racial/Ethnic Gaps.

Iruka, I. U., Sheridan, S., Koziol, N., Schumacher, R., Kerby, H., Prokasky, A., & Choi, D.-h

Published: 2022
Reexamining the Carolina abecedarian project using an antiracist perspective: Implications for early care and education research.

Bruno, E. P., & Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2022
Call to action: Centering Blackness and disrupting systemic racism in academic publishing.

Iruka, I. U., Lewis, M. L., Lozada, F. T., Bocknek, E., & Brophy-Herb, H.

Published: 2021
Towards racial equity in publishing at Early Childhood Research Quarterly (ECRQ): ECRQ Ad Hoc Committee on Racial Equity in Publishing.

Justice, L. M., Resnick, G., Iruka, I. U., Bruno, E. P., Curenton, S. M., Hsueh, J., & Humphries, M.

Published: 2021
Next directions in measurement of the home mathematics environment: An international and interdisciplinary perspective.

Hornburg, C. B., Borriello, G. A., Kung, M., Lin, J., Litkowski, E., Cosso, J., Ellis, A., King, Y., Zippert, E., Cabrera, N. J., Davis-Kean, P., Eason, S. H., Hart, S. A., Iruka, I. U., LeFevre, J.-A., Simms, V., Susperreguy, M. I., Cahoon, A., Chan, W. W. L., … Purpura, D. J.

Published: 2021
COVID-19 and children’s well-Being: A rapid research agenda.

Dudovitz, R. N., Russ, S., Berghaus, M., Iruka, I. U., DiBari, J., Foney, D. M., Kogan, M., & Halfon, N.

Published: 2021
Attending to the adversity of racism against young Black Children.

Iruka, I. U., Durden, T. R., Gardner-Neblett, N., Ibekwe-Okafor, N.**, Sansbury, A.*, & Telfer, N. A.*

Published: 2021
Child care policy as an anti-poverty strategy: The need to address neurophysiological self-Regulation.

Holochwost, S. J., Gomes, L. A., Propper, C. B., Brown, E. D., & Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2021
Dismantling the Black–White achievement gap Paradigm: Why and how we need to focus instead on systemic change.

Gardner-Neblett, N., Iruka, I. U., & Humphries, M.

Published: 2021
Creating anti-racist early childhood spaces.

Allen, R., Shapland, D. L., Neitzel, J., & Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2021
Longitudinal and geographic trends in family engagement during the pre-kindergarten to kindergarten transition.

Sheridan, S. M., Koziol, N., Witte, A., Iruka, I. U., & Knoche, L.

Published: 2020
Exploring factors that support the kindergarten transition patterns of Latino boys.

Iruka, I. U., Lucas, M.*, Gillanders, C., & Adejumo, T. O.*

Published: 2020
Adaptive Parenting Among Low-Income Black Mothers and Toddlers’ Regulation of Distress.

Bocknek, E. L., Richardson, P. A.*, McGoron, L.*, Raveau, H.*, & Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2020
High quality child care as an effective anti-poverty strategy: Emerging evidence from Canada.

Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2020
Factors associated with early school readiness profiles for Black girls.

Iruka, I. U., Curenton, S. M., Sims, J.*, Blitch, K. A.*, & Gardner, S.*

Published: 2020
Examining how rural ecological contexts influence children’s early learning opportunities

Iruka, I. U., DeKraai, M., Walther, J., Sheridan, S. M., & Abdel-Monem, T.*

Published: 2020
Call to action: Centering Blackness and disrupting systemic racism in academic publishing.

Iruka, I. U., Lewis, M. L., Lozada, F. T., Bocknek, E., & Brophy-Herb, H.

Published: November 2021
COVID-19 and Children’s Well-Being: A Rapid Research Agenda

Dudovitz, R. N., Russ, S., Berghaus, M., Iruka, I. U., DiBari, J., Foney, D. M., Kogan, M., & Halfon, N.

Published: 2021
Attending to the Adversity of Racism Against Young Black Children

Iruka, I. U., Durden, T. R., Gardner-Neblett, N., Ibekwe-Okafor, N., Sansbury, A., & Telfer, N. A.

Published: 2021
Child Care Policy as an Anti-Poverty Strategy: The Need to Address Neurophysiological Self-Regulation

Holochwost, S. J., Gomes, L. A., Propper, C. B., Brown, E. D., & Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2021
Dismantling the Black–White Achievement Gap Paradigm: Why and How We Need to Focus Instead on Systemic Change

Gardner-Neblett, N., Iruka, I. U., & Humphries, M. L.

Published: 2021
Viewpoint. Creating Anti-Racist Early Childhood Spaces

Allen, R., Shapland, D. L., Neitzel, J., & Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2021
Towards Racial Equity in Publishing at Early Childhood Research Quarterly (ECRQ): ECRQ Ad Hoc Committee on Racial Equity in Publishing

ECRQ Ad Hoc Committee on Racial Equity in Publishing

Published: 2021
Adaptive Parenting Among Low‐Income Black Mothers and Toddlers’ Regulation of Distress

Bocknek, E. L., Richardson, P. A., McGoron, L., Raveau, H., & Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2020
We are the Change We Seek: Advancing Racial Justice in Early Care and Education.

Iruka, I. U., Durden, T., Escayg, K.A., & Curenton, S.

Published: 2023
Advancing Equity and Embracing Diversity in Early Childhood Education: Elevating Voices and Actions.

Alanis, I., & Iruka, I. U., & Friedman, S. (Eds.)

Published: 2021
Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms.

Iruka, I. U., Curenton, S. M., Durden, T., & Escayg, K.-A.

Published: 2020
Handbook on the Science of Early Literacy.

Iruka, I. U., Sansbury, A., Telfer, N. A.**, Ibekwe-Okafor, N., Gardner-Neblett, N., & Durden, T. R. (forthcoming)

Published: 2022
Child Care Justice: Transforming the System of Care for Young Children

Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2022
African American Female Students in PreK-12 Schools and Beyond: Informing Research, Policy, and Practice

Iruka, I. U., & Hawkins, C.

Published: 2022
Social Studies for Young Children: Preschool and Primary Curriculum Anchor 3rd Ed.

Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2021
Fathers and Child Development: Prenatal to Preschool.

Gadsden, V., & Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2021
Maternal and Child Health: Problems, Programs, and Policy in Public Health, 4th Edition

Wingate, M. S., McDaniel, H., Brisendine, A. E., & Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2021
Getting it Right: Using Implementation Research to Improve Outcomes in Early Care and Education

Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2020
Advancing Equity and Embracing Diversity in Early Childhood Education: Elevating Voices and Actions

Alanis, I., Iruka, I. U., & Friedman, S.

Published: 2021
Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms

Iruka, I., Curenton, S., Escayg, K-A., & Durden, T.

Published: 2020
Child care solutions need to target most vulnerable communities, report argues

Bell, L., EdNC

Published: March 12, 2024
Member Spotlight: Dr. Iheoma U. Iruka
Published: February 7, 2024
When It Comes to GOP-Imposed Cruelty and Austerity, What About the Children?

Hunter-Rainey, S.

Published: 2023
Ph.D. student Alexandria Forte named 2023 Outstanding Doctoral Student of the Year

Forte, A.

Published: 2023
Growing Recognition and Real Hope

Iruka, I, U.

Published: Apr 20, 2023
The role of teacher–child relationship quality in Black and Latino boys’ positive development.

Goldberg, M. J.*, & Iruka, I. U.

Published: 2022
Parents’ perceptions of a K-3 formative assessment.

Gillanders, C., Iruka, I. U., Bagwell, C., & Adejumo, T.*

Published: 2021
Becoming Unstoppable with Dr. Iheoma Iruka
Published: November 18, 2021
Black Joy & Black Dreams in Early Childhood

Black children experience disparities and anti-Black racism before they are born and throughout their lives, including in early education environments. Recent research documents these disparities. However, there are few venues to focus on strength-based, anti-Black racism solutions to these systemic inequities in early childhood. Ms. Bunche Smith and Dr. Iruka will explain how to identify and begin to dismantle anti-Black racism in early childhood, in the context of research, practice.

Published: July 24, 2022
COVID-19 and Racism: The Interconnected Pandemics that have Left Black Families the Hardest Hit

PR Newswire

Published: June 22, 2021
New report illustrates Black America’s fight with the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and institutional racism

Black Star News

Published: May 24, 2021
Anti-Racism in Early Childhood Education, Part II

SaportaReport

Published: May 10, 2021
Census Bureau Announces New Leadership and Members for NAC

United States Census Bureau

Published: April 22, 2021
Anti-Racism in Early Childhood Education

SaportaReport

Published: March 15, 2021
Iheoma Iruka on The State of Things with Frank Stasio

WUNC 91.5 North Carolina Public Radio

Published: November 23, 2020
The Anti-Bias Classroom

WUNC 91.5 North Carolina Public Radio

Published: October 16, 2020

Carolina Seminar Series

COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted Black and African-American (AA) Communities. In Orange County, 11.8% of the population is Black or AA, yet 37% of confirmed COVID-19 cases were Black or AA. This series will bring together scientists, child advocates, educators, community leaders, and policymakers to address this disparity, which impacts educational, social-emotional, and neurological development.

Equity Research Coalition