“Are You Coming Back Next Year?” in Ringgold, GA
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Today, I had the honor of partnering with the Family Resource Agency of North Georgia in Ringgold, Georgia, as they kicked off a new school year with the incredible service providers who show up every day for the children and families in their community.
We closed the keynote with our Acorn Commitment Ceremony, where participants wrote a personal commitment describing how they will continue showing up as village members for the children and families they serve.
One by one, they placed their commitments on our Acorn Tree, creating a visual reminder that every child deserves conditions that support them in maximizing their personal potential.
Watching hundreds of service providers line up to place their commitments on that tree moved my whole spirit.
Those are some very fortunate children and families in North Georgia and Tennessee.
One moment, however, will stay with me forever.
Near the front of the room sat two children.
Although my life’s work is centered on children, I spend most of my professional life speaking to adults.
It is rare that children are present during one of my keynotes.
Today, they were.
And they were engaged.
So, I found myself naturally weaving them into the conversation, and it brought me so much joy.
There was something beautiful about being in a space where a mother could bring her children to a pre-service day.
Their presence reminded me exactly why this work matters.
As the Acorn Commitment Ceremony came to an end and I was preparing to leave, the young man, who looked to be in late elementary school, walked up to me and said, “I have something for you.”
He handed me a note he had written.
His younger sister had also made me a note.
It simply said “acorn,” complete with a hand-drawn acorn at the bottom of the page.
Then he asked me,
“Are you coming back next year?”
I told him that they would probably invite another speaker to celebrate with them next school year.
He made a deliberate, sad face, and poked out his bottom lip to visually express his disappointment.
Tears immediately welling up in my eyes.
In that moment, I realized that may have been the greatest evaluation I have ever received.
My new friend wanted me to come back.
In a space that spanned from Ms. Betty, who has faithfully served the agency for more than 40 years, to the children of one of the service providers…
the acorn story landed.
We are building something here.
We are growing a movement.
A movement of people committed to working together to ensure that every child has the necessary conditions in their environment to maximize their personal potential and become a self-sufficient, positive contributor to the society in which we live.
One acorn.
One village member.
One child at a time.🌰🌱🌳❤️
Dr. El Brown is an early childhood keynote speaker, trainer, and engagement strategist who partners with Head Start, early childhood programs, and children and family service organizations to strengthen family engagement, support professional development, and build Top-Notch Villages™ where children and families thrive. ❤️🌰🌱🌳☀️
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