FIRST 8 YEARS SPEAKER SERIES

The First 8 Years Speaker Series was launched in 2021 to help increase awareness about the importance of early learning and provide valuable tools and insights that educators and advocates can use to improve outcomes for children. This series brings local, regional, and national experts together to discuss important themes, research, and cutting-edge early childhood topics, and provide unique context on their place in the Memphis community.

While we are proud to present the First 8 Years Speaker Series at no cost for attendees, we appreciate donations to help us continue to bring dynamic speakers to Memphis for future events. Thank you!

  • Keynote: Dr. Chandra Ghosh Ippen

    View bio here.

    Sponsor: Early Success Coalition

    Topic: The importance of investing in early childhood development and why creating a strong equitable system is important for our children and families

    View the resources here.

    *Recording available only to registrants for this session at the speaker’s request

Previous Events

Upcoming Events

Please subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to hear about our next Speaker Series event.

  • Date: January 26, 2023

    Keynote: Dr. Clinton Boyd, Jr.

    Sponsor: 100 Black Men of Memphis

    View bio here.

    Topic: Dr. Boyd, Jr. will discuss Fathers and School Readiness: How Fathers’ Engagement Improves Children’s Success.

    *Event was not recorded.

  • Date: 4/19/2023

    Keynote: Dr. Walter Gilliam

    View bio here.

    Topic: The impact of implicit bias and COVID-19 in relation to early care and education settings.

    *Recording only available to registrants.

  • Register: bit.ly/speakerseries-june

    Speakers: Carmen Rosa Noroña, Ivys Fernández-Pastrana

    Topic: Supporting Immigrant Families and Educators

    The First 8 Years Speaker Series returns on June 3rd from 12-2 CST for a virtual discussion, "Lovin’ on Our Babies: Supporting Immigrant Families and Educators," focusing on the well-being of young children in immigrant communities. Our guest experts:

    • Carmen Rosa Noroña serves as the Child Trauma Clinical Services and Training Lead and the Boston Site Associate Director of the Early Trauma Treatment Network at the Child Witness to Violence Project at Boston Medical Center. She is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine, a Child-Parent Psychotherapy National Trainer, an expert faculty of the DC: 0-5 Training.

    • Ivys Fernandez-Pastrana is the Program Manager for the BMC Center of Excellence in Immigrant Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. In this role, she has been working alongside a team of mental health clinicians in developing resources for frontline providers supporting displaced immigrant families.

    Together will explore how immigration experiences shape early childhood development and learn culturally-relevant strategies for fostering resilience and emotional health. Register today!