Some early childhood researchers believe having a positive racial and cultural identity is one of the most important development tasks facing African American children and children of color in America."

- Aisha White, P.R.I.D.E. Founder and Consultant

Purpose

The Office of Child Development's Positive Racial Identity Development In Early Education (P.R.I.D.E.) program works to...

• Support the development  of young African American children’s positive racial identity
• Increase adult knowledge and skills in building young African American children’s positive racial identity (teachers/professionals); and supporting their positive racial socialization (parents)
• Increase awareness of the significance of race in the lives of African American children

“Children whose parents socialize them about racial history and values have a more positive self-concept.” (Swanson, 2009; Caughy, 2002)

Check out our 2025 Impact Report here >>

Visit the P.R.I.D.E. website to learn more >>

Our Strategies for Building Positive Racial Identity

Building Parent Skills

Parent Village

Implementation of a parent-child curriculum based on core child development needs that helps parents understand race, culture, racial identity and socialization and that supports parents in building PRIDE in their children.

Building Teacher/Professional Skills

P.R.I.D.E. Professional Development

Professional development sessions provided by the PRIDE team will explore the intersections of race in institutions as well as help teachers/staff/administrators build their ability to support positive racial identity development in young children. Professional development strategies will also enable the creation of Learning Communities including within the Office of Child Development.

Incorporating the Arts

Pop Up Mini Art Festivals

Traveling mini arts festivals designed to: develop pride in young children using Africana arts, enhance artist’s early childhood knowledge and skills, build teacher PRIDE skills, and enable integration of PRIDE activities in early childhood classrooms.

Educating the Community

Speaker Series

Visits by well-known scholars and practitioners will raise awareness around issues of race and young children and be a catalyst for training, professional development, and curriculum development. Speakers will discuss PRIDE and the intersection of race and early education, engage with teachers, parents, and the community, and serve as advisors to the program.

Building on the Research

PRIDE Research

Evaluation of the program and development of a PRIDE measure. The research will allow the team to share findings and resources for project replication and to inspire future PRIDE efforts.

Meet the Director

As of June 1st, 2025, Medina Jackson, MSW is the new Director of the P.R.I.D.E. Division of the Office of Child Development. Medina was part of the Race and Early Childhood Collaborative, (the team that helped develop the P.R.I.D.E. Program,) has served as the P.R.I.D.E. Director of Engagement since 2017,  and has been with the Office of Child Development since 2010.  She brings 20+ years of experience in race, youth and families, education, arts and culture, community engagement and non-profit management.

Originally from South Berkeley, California, she came to Pittsburgh in 2001 and obtained her MSW (Community Organization and Social Administration concentration) from the University of Pittsburgh in 2003 and has been committed to the city ever since. Medina is also a mother, creative producer, plant-based culinary enthusiast, poet and Hip Hop artist, and enjoys playing basketball in her spare time.

Questions?

To learn more, contact: Medina Jackson, Director of The P.R.I.D.E. Program, by email at mjackson@pitt.edu.