Unidos Podemos: Why we started Unidos for Early Care and Education

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Unidos for Early Care and Education, LLC, an emerging grassroots effort led by Latinas for Latinos, focused on empowering Latinos in ECE with agency, knowledge, skills, and network to advance and deepen their community impact. Our flagship program, Empowered Latinas Leading and Advancing Educational Spaces (ELLA-ES) is aimed at creating a space deeply rooted in cultural identity and a sense of belonging where Latina leaders in ECE are connected and empowered to transform their communities.

Latinos currently represent 25% of school children and are projected to become one-third of the US population by 2050, making access to more equitable education crucial. Despite significant gains in representation in the ECE labor force, Latinas continue to be underrepresented in ECE director and leadership roles. At Unidos for ECE, we recognize the urgent need to ensure that more Latina educational leaders serve as decision-makers and advocates to work alongside Latino children and families for our collective empowerment. Our goal is to engage and empower the lives of Latino children. To do this we must focus on multi-factored approaches that support leaders, educators, families, early care and education systems, and ways of seeing and being with children that provide them access to their agency and powerful voice to forge their paths in ways of strength and activate decision making. 

Our culturally responsive leadership development program and affinity group, ELLA-ES, is designed to address obstacles identified by Latina leaders in the field and prioritize leadership development, mentorship, coaching, networking opportunities, and access to an affinity group with other Latinos. Our values include Honrar Las Culturas, Cariño, Sabiduría, Solidaridad, y Excelencia

Unidos for ECE believes that having Latina leaders who reflect the communities we serve is essential to creating a more equitable ECE sector. Join us in our mission to build and lead a community of Latina early care and education leaders to effect practice and policy changes to increase access and more equitable pathways for Latino children. Help us empower Latina leaders in ECE and transform our communities. 

Follow us at #UnidosForECE #ELLA-ES #Latin@LeadershipMatters #EmpoweringLatin@s #TransformingCommunities.

Dra. Yohana Quiroz

Founder & CEO

Dra. Martha Melgoza

Co-Founder