Join us Sundays at 4:30pm for new episodes of The Early Link Podcast. Listen live at 99.1 FM in the heart of Portland – or online anywhere at PRP.fm

On our newest episode, host Rafael Otto speaks with Rashelle Chase-Miller, who is an activist and a mom. She’s authored many articles and works in early childhood curriculum development. She’s also founder of Mxm Bloc, a Black mxm led mutual-aid group that supports Black families, and Reproductive Rights PDX.

 

 

Summary:

Otto’s colleague at the Children’s Institute, Kali Thorne-Ladd actually begins the podcast by asking Chase-Miller about how the Uvalde shooting impacted her and the people in her community, specifically as a Black mother. In addition, since it has now been two years since George Floyd‘s murder, Chase-Miller notes the way in which she has helped the community come together in healing and activism.

Otto then steps in to ask about the story of her son who was diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy at 18 months old, and how this inspired her to activism. As it turns out, going back to school to obtain her Master’s at Portland State University helped her to better advocate for him. Given her personal experience and her study of early childhood, she then gives advice to teachers and providers on how to really think about transforming and strengthening the way that the education the system serves kids like her son.
They conclude the episode by discussing Chase-Miller’s writing around trauma responsiveness and what that can look like in early childhood settings. Especially given the context of the news and the events that have been happening around the country.

 

Host:

Rafael Otto, Director of Communications, Children’s Institute

~ Thanks to Children’s Institute, working to ensure that every child in Oregon has the best start in life

Jenna Deml
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