Kids First Chicago is a brand dedicated to ensuring that every child in every community in Chicago has access to a world-class education. They envision a city where exceptional schools provide unique and innovative programming, and where 100% of students not only graduate but also graduate with the skills needed to shape both the city and the world for the better. The mission of Kids First Chicago is to dramatically improve education for the children of Chicago by empowering their families to become respected authorities and decision-makers in their education.

By partnering with families, Kids First Chicago helps them gain resources, information, access, and a voice to achieve their vision for their children. Kids First Chicago believes that a thriving education environment, where children, schools, and communities thrive, is the key to building a world-class city. They focus a significant portion of their parent engagement in West and South Side communities, where historical disinvestment has left Black and Latinx parents out of the conversation for far too long.

To address the equity gap, Kids First Chicago believes in proximity and deference - proximity through representative staff, direct engagement, and ongoing reflection, and deference by centering the priorities and perspectives of marginalized parents in everything they do. They commit to ongoing self-reflection and empathy-building to address racial biases and discriminatory systems that have impacted educational outcomes, particularly for Black and Latinx children. Kids First Chicago is dedicated to the belief that history matters, and their legacy is embedded within education and subsequent life outcomes.

With their commitment to empowering families and addressing equity gaps, Kids First Chicago is making a significant impact on education in the city. Contact information: Kids First Chicago 21 South Clark St., Suite 4301, Chicago, IL 60603, United States Phone: (312) 853-1212 Email: info@kidsfirstchicago. org