Bryant and Langford will draw upon their wealth of experience to help identify promising initiatives and “best practices” for the future of America’s children politically, socially, and educationally.
“The speakers are both committed advocates and workers for the well-being of children, young adults, families, and communities,” said Arthur Stein, URI political science professor. “These women can provide us a with a practical vision of America where truly no child will be left behind.”
Bryant is the executive director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, a children’s policy and research organization that provides information on children’s issues and promotes accountability and action. A graduate of the University of Vermont and George Washington University Law school, Bryant coordinates the “School Readiness Indicators Initiative: Making Progress for Young Children.”
Langford, the senior fellow at the Center for the Study of Social Policy in Washington, D.C., leads the national implementation of “Strengthening Families through Early Care and Education” funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. She also serves on the community change initiatives strategy team for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, assisting 10 cities with their early childhood planning. Langford has served as a consultant for the Pew Trusts Children’s Initiative and many other philanthropic organizations.
The lecture is sponsored by the URI Departments of Political Science, Psychology, and Human Development and Family Studies, URI’s Colleges of Human Science and Services and Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, the Honors Program, URI Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, URI President’s Office, URI Women’s Center, URI Chaplains, The Rhode Island General Assembly, and RI Kids Count.