2026 Oakland Early Learning Symposium Recap

On January 31, 2026, Oakland Starting Smart & Strong (OSSS) brought together 200 early childhood educators (ECE) at Merritt College, focused on our theme, “Demystifying Early Literacy for Children Ages 0-5." This was our first in-person symposium since 2019!

With support from our generous sponsors and community partners, we created a space where ECE providers, teachers, and community members could learn, connect, and grow together. 

We were very excited to welcome Mayor Barbara Lee to the Symposium, where she delivered a heartfelt tribute to early learning professionals. "Our children's future is secure because of you," she said. "Creating spaces for learning, connection, and celebration — it's no small feat. Thank you for doing it with caring and with heart." Her closing words reaffirmed the mission driving everything we do: making sure "every child, regardless of their zip code, cannot only survive but thrive."

​"It was a very thoughtful, well put together symposium that helped continue to fuel the passion and importance of literacy in young lives."  – Symposium Participant​

The symposium was emceed by Rha Bowen, Room to Bloom Site Director at Lotus Bloom, who kept the energy up and grounded in the goals for the day:

• Introducing the concepts of early literacy to a wide spectrum of ECE providers in Oakland
• Providing ECE providers with concrete tools to use in their classrooms or child care settings to implement early literacy concepts 
• Provide ways for ECE professionals to network and collaborate with each other 
• Offer ECE providers a joyful environment to learn and grow together

​Participants heard from experts across Oakland’s early childhood system:

• Sanam Jorjani from the Oakland Literacy Coalition introduced the foundations of reading development and the science of reading. 
• Shanna Birkholz-Vasquez from the California Department of Education walked everyone through the California P/TK Learning Foundations.
• Dr. Edirle Menezes from First 5 Alameda County gave us important updates on Measure C and Measure AA, the funding that keeps early education strong in Oakland.

​Symposium participants also heard from peer experts during two panels featuring classroom teachers, child care providers, librarians, and program directors who shared real-world insights about early literacy: 

• The first panel of the day was facilitated by Melissa Luc. She interviewed Duane Poteat and Katherine Gibson from Oakland Unified School District, and Jill Burns, a family child care provider with the City of Oakland Head Start Tiny Steps program, organized by BANANAS, Inc., about what early literacy looks like in their classrooms.
• Maria Sujo, Alameda County Office of Education, facilitated the second panel discussion with Pat Toney, Oakland Public Library, Emily Grunt, of Fluent SEEDs and Collaborative Classroom, and Sarah Sliva, BANANAS Inc.  They highlighted their programs and gave the participants an idea of what early literacy looks like in our communities.

"I loved the conference because it just answered all my bugging questions about how to get my toddler to start paying attention to books." – Symposium Participant

Additionally, participants were led in hands-on activities at their tables from Tandem, Partners in Early Learning, and the Oakland Literacy Coalition.

Over twelve organizations tabled and provided resources to participants, ranging from button-making and free books from the Oakland Public Library, how to enroll in Oakland Promise programming, and information about professional development opportunities from BANANAS, Inc., and Hively. Every participant also received two children's books provided by Tandem, Partners in Early Learning.

119 participants responded to our post-event survey; over 98% said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the event. Find the agenda and presentations and photos from the day here. 

Let’s Talk Early Learning sessions throughout the Spring will build on the symposium by focusing on gaining a better understanding of emergent literacy in young children and how it impacts later literacy development. These monthly sessions provide Oakland early learning professionals with a space to support, share, and learn. Learn more about Let’s Talk ​here. ​

Thank you to our sponsors and supporters!

• Alameda County Office of Education
• BANANAS, Inc.
• City of Oakland Head Start
• David and Lucile Packard Foundation
• First 5 Alameda County
• Hively
• Kenneth Rainin Foundation
• Oakland Children's Initiative
• Oakland Thrives
• Oakland Unified School District
• Tandem, Partners in Early Learning