Professional Development

THE VILLAGE BLOG

Dr. El Brown, Florida Head Start alumna and keynote speaker

From Florida Head Start Child to Florida Head Start Association Keynote Speaker

Dr. El Brown, Florida Head Start alumna and keynote speaker

Grown Folk Conversations in Erie, PA

Erie, Pennsylvania showed up today!!!! I had the absolute pleasure of spending the morning with the good people of Child Development Centers, Inc., and they came ready to learn, reflect, collaborate, and do the work! They gathered in their groups, mapped the villages surrounding the children and families they serve, exchanged ideas, asked thoughtful questions, and leaned fully into the experience. The conversations were rich, the laughter was plentiful, and the commitment in

When the Work Is Remembered in Arlington, VA

Yesterday, I had the honor of returning to partner with The Campagna Center in Arlington, Virginia. The room was abuzz with the energy of a new program year—colleagues reconnecting, hugs being exchanged, and laughter and conversation filling the room. During our time together, I shared my From Acorn to Mighty, Mighty Oak Tree™ keynote and engaged team members in the Top-Notch Villages™ workshop. Together, they mapped the ecosystems surrounding children and families, identifie

When the Work Leaves the Room in Chicago, IL

Today, I had the honor of serving as the morning keynote speaker for Start Early’s Early Learning Network (ELN) 2026 Pre-Service Professional Development Conference in Chicago, Illinois. I shared From Acorn to Mighty, Mighty Oak Tree™, a story rooted in human development, collective responsibility, and the conditions that help children maximize their personal potential. While the story is mine, the human experiences woven through it belong to so many people. Some hear themsel

ABOUT THE VILLAGE BLOG

The Village Blog is a living record of engagement strategy in action.

Here, I share field stories, practical strategies, and original frameworks from my work with Head Start programs, school districts, community action agencies, and child- and family-service organizations across the country.

Each post explores how adults can strengthen relationships, become mission-aligned, and show up well for children and families. I work with adults and work for children—because every child deserves to be loved and cared for well.

Raising Superman

Raising Superman is co-authored by Dr. El and her son, Ricky II. Together, they weave their voices into one story that highlights the three characters of a Top-Notch Village: the child, the family, and the village members.

The book gives families and village members tips and strategies drawn directly from Dr. El’s Village Engagement Matrix™—a framework designed to help both work together so that children have every opportunity to maximize their personal potential.

At its core, Raising Superman shows what becomes possible when children grow up surrounded by belief in themselves, a positive identity, and a village committed to turning dreams into reality.