Empowerment Ambassador Programs

Preschool Promise’s Empowerment Ambassador Programs—Black Girl Genius and Black Boy Brilliance—were created to ensure that young children, particularly Black children, experience culturally affirming, identity-building learning environments.

Both programs recruit, train, and place Empowerment Ambassadors—high school, college, and community participants—into Preschool Promise early learning classrooms where they support the cultural, academic, and social-emotional development of children ages 3–5. Ambassadors serve as paid volunteers, working 6–8 hours per week from October through May, in support of early childhood teachers.

Training & Expectations: All Empowerment Ambassadors participate in a 2-hour orientation, are background checked and complete mandatory training which covers:

• Conscious Discipline Basics

• Trauma-Informed Care

• Shared Reading/Print Awareness

Black Girl Genius (BGG)

This Ambassador Progra established in August 2025 to create joyful, culturally-affirming learning environments where Black preschool girls feel seen, heard, valued, and empowered to thrive. The Black Girl Genius Program is a vital part of Preschool Promise’s Equity Initiative and works to celebrate the brilliance of Black girls by ensuring their development is nurtured academically, socially, and emotionally.

As part of the program’s launch, Preschool Promise hosted its first-ever Black Girl Genius Storytelling Workshop and Showcase—, a dynamic event that highlighted powerful, personal stories from early childhood educators. These stories shed light on their dedication, challenges, and triumphs in educating and nurturing our youngest learners.

BGG Ambassador Numbers:

• 8 Ambassadors currently serve at 4 Preschool Promise sites.

Black Boy Brilliance (BBB)

This Program is designed to create environments where our Black pPreschool boys are welcomed, accepted and celebrated so they can be successful. Black Boy Brilliance is a comprehensive program that is an integral component of the equity initiative. Research confirms that having a teacher who “looks like you” (or is the same race/ethnicity) helps students do better academically and socially. We also know that it is critical for white students to learn from Black males —to affirm and nurture the intellectual and emotional development of Black boys through positive male mentorship, representation, and culturally responsive teaching.

BBB Ambassador Numbers:

• 11 Ambassadors currently serve at 8 Preschool Promise sites.