BCDI is co sponsoring an amazing literacy event
on October 24, 2026
See the website below and the QR code on the poster
Mark your calendar
October 24, 2026
more to come
The whole world opened to me when I learned to read...Mary Mcleod Bethune
BCDI Seattle is supporting the Read Seattle Movement:
We are looking for volunteers to signup for two sites.
1. The Learning Place (located Holgate Street Church of Christ and
2. CAYA (Near Yesler).
Read Seattle website at www.readseattle.org - a community initiative that connects literacy volunteers with local schools and nonprofits doing authentic literacy work across our area.
What Read Seattle does:
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Helps recruit and mobilize volunteers to serve as literacy tutors in public schools and community programs
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Connects people who want to make a difference with organizations that need reading support
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Adds volunteer literacy training videos from events here in Seattle
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Provides a central hub for literacy volunteer opportunities throughout Seattle
How you can help:
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Share the website (www.readseattle.org) with friends, family, and fellow Rotarians who might be interested in volunteering
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Follow ReadSeattle on Instagram to stay connected with our literacy movement and see the impact volunteers are making
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Who We Are
Seattle resident and nationally known early childhood educator, Ms. Bunny Wilburn (1922-2014) founded BCDI-Seattle in the early 70’s. The first major initiative was National Black Child Development Institute’s (NBCDI) community Child Development Associate project to promote and advocate for the professional development of childcare providers.
We meet on the 3rd Saturday of month at 12:30pm
Check here for time changes and location.
We are currently meeting on ZOOM.
Activities
Green Hill School
The Social Justice and Equity for Youth Committee (SJ&EY) of BCDI along with Tabor 100 has been working with Black youth at the Department of Social and Health Services Green Hill School youth correctional school since November 2012.
Quarterly BCDI members travel to Chehalis, WA and provide life coaching to members of the African American Cultural Group, one of several cultural affinity groups at the school.
The SJ&EY Committee has introduced to the school the Alive & Free Prescription™ with training from Dr. Joseph Marshall co-creator of the prescription. As a consequence of 18-months of BCDI-Seattle advocacy in October 2014 the Green Hill School and Seattle Central College signed a Memorandum of Understanding to bring college courses into the school using a distance learning strategy! A blended funding approach will be utilized including young men contributing a portion from their work stipends, Bunny Wilburn Educational Grants and scholarships and donations from several community fund raising strategies.
In 2014 BCDI-Seattle received NBCDI's “Unsung Hero Awardee” for the Green Hill School initiative.
In 2020, 21 of the young men are taking college courses. 10 of the young men are being mentored by volunteers organized by BCDI Seattle's SJ&EY committee.
Reading Project
BCDI-Seattle Black Literacy Project
With the support of a grant from the Social Justice Fund, BCDI-Seattle is implementing a project to teach child literacy development to Black families
and community members – bringing the teaching of reading to Black children back to the Black community. The goal is to equip Black families and community members with the skills and tools they need to track their children's reading progress in school or teach Black children how to read themselves. As a result, Black parents will be able to hold more schools and districts accountable to improving the literacy proficiency of Black students.
Happy New Year
It is finally here! Black Child Development Institute (BCDI) – Seattle is excited to present our 2026 calendar Featuring children from the City of Seattle! . We are printing a limited number. Make sure you get your 2025 BCDI - Seattle Calendar today before they run out.
Each calendar purchased will put 5 Culturally Books in a deserving child's hands
Our Vision
Through the eyes and lives of African American children and their families.
eliminate institutionalized racism and achieve social justice.
Contact Black Child Development Institute Seattle
PO Box 22493
Seattle, WA 98122
206-860-4048
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