The first cohort of the Childcare Business Catalyst Program in Omaha has graduated.
The 10-week program is meant to increase the number of licensed childcare facilities in the metro area—specifically those owned by Black women and femmes. It came to be through a collaboration with the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative and reproductive justice organization I Be Black Girl.
Gwladys Nare is one of the graduates and runs a bilingual in-home daycare, Edutain Childcare.
“It meant a lot because it’s bringing you a family,” she said. “Because where can you find people like you doing the same thing like you? It’s hard to do it. And being in this program, you got to meet these people. You got to have relationship with them. I see the opportunity of learning from them, and especially being an immigrant and being a Black girl and being a veteran.”
A total of 11 people graduated from the program with training in business planning, financial literacy and marketing and other topics.
“Focusing on Black women and femme childcare providers specifically is intentional, because there is really nothing like this out there for them, and especially in the Omaha community,” said Bryonna Ward, the Catalyst Program Associate at I Be Black Girl.
Recent reports show there has been a 17% decline in licensed childcare facilities statewide from 2020 to 2022. The Catalyst program, Ward explained, offered resources and training in a culturally competent way to address racial and ethnic access gaps to opening childcare facilities.
The second cohort will start next fall. It will accept 10-15 participants, and the program will stay in touch with its inaugural class.
“My next move will be marketing my childcare and having a waiting list,” Nare said. “And hopefully I have learned how to get a financial [support].”
She plans to open a daycare center outside of her home in a couple years.
