"It takes a village to raise a child." This proverb, rooted in African and African diasporic traditions, reminds us that children thrive when they are surrounded by caring adults who support, encourage, and guide them. For families raising historically underserved gifted, talented, and twice-exceptional (2E) children, building a strong village can make all the difference.
Gifted and 2E children often have unique strengths and challenges. They may be advanced thinkers, creative problem-solvers, talented artists, athletes, or leaders. At the same time, some may struggle with ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, executive functioning, social-emotional concerns, or other learning differences. Because their abilities and challenges can coexist, these children are sometimes misunderstood, overlooked, or underidentified. No parent should have to navigate this journey alone.
A strong village may include family members, teachers, mentors, coaches, counselors, educational therapists, faith leaders, community organizations, and other parents who understand giftedness and twice-exceptionality. A village does not have to be large. Even a few adults who recognize a child's potential and believe in their abilities can have a lasting impact.
Building a village helps families advocate for appropriate educational opportunities, locate enrichment programs and scholarships, support emotional well-being, and connect children with positive role models. Organizations such as the Central Cities Association for Gifted & Talented Children (CCAGTC) can also become part of that village by providing families with information, resources, advocacy support, enrichment opportunities, and connections to other parents and professionals who understand the unique needs of gifted and 2E learners.
As parents, we often focus on what our children need next and forget to appreciate the people already helping along the way. Take a moment to recognize your village. It may be the teacher who noticed your child's creativity, the grandparent who encourages learning, the coach who builds confidence, or the mentor who inspires new dreams. Children need adults who see their gifts before the world fully recognizes them.
One way to strengthen your village is by connecting with families, educators, and community leaders who share a commitment to helping gifted and 2E children thrive. CCAGTC's Envisioning Excellence Virtual Scholarship & Awards Symposium on June 28, 2026, from 2:00–3:30 p.m., provides an opportunity to do just that. This year's theme, "Mentoring Historically Underrepresented Gifted & Talented Children Throughout Their Educational Journey," will feature educators, advocates, and community leaders sharing strategies, resources, and inspiration for supporting gifted and 2E learners.
The stronger the village, the stronger the foundation for our children's future.
Happenings: Community Events
Columns
By Ashley Kimathi
For many families, education can feel like an either-or decision. Children either attend traditional school full-time or are homeschooled entirely. But in recent years, more families have begun looking for or creating options that offer a blend of both worlds.
Our family found that option through a hybrid homeschool charter program here in Las Vegas, and it has transformed the way we think about education.
When people hear the word "homeschooling," they often imagine parents working completely independently. When they hear "school," they imagine crowded classrooms and rigid schedules. Hybrid programs offer something in between. Students receive the benefits of learning at home while remaining connected to teachers, classmates, and a larger educational community.
My son attends class one day each week in a small group of approximately ten to twelve students. The smaller class size allows teachers to build meaningful relationships with students and provide individualized support. The remainder of his learning takes place at home, where we can move through lessons at a pace that works for our family.
What has surprised me most is how much flexibility and support can coexist. We have access to experienced educators, curriculum guidance, projects, field trips, and community activities while maintaining the freedom that originally attracted us to homeschooling.
Like many parents, I initially had concerns about socialization. Over time, those concerns faded. My son has built friendships, developed confidence, and continues to thrive academically. More importantly, he enjoys learning at home.
The past several years have prompted many families to rethink education and consider what environments help children flourish. For some, traditional schools remain the best fit. For others, homeschooling offers the freedom they desire. But for families seeking a balance of independence, flexibility, community, and support, hybrid programs may provide an option worth exploring.
As our family prepares for the transition to middle school next year, I find myself grateful for the educational journey we have experienced so far. He will learn coding and have the choice to take accelerated classes. When he moves on to high school he will have the opportunity to take college courses and the school will actually pay for it. It has shown me that learning does not have to fit into a single model to be successful.
Perhaps the future of education is not about choosing one path over another. Maybe it is about creating more pathways that allow families to find the approach that best meets the needs of their children and communities.
Central Cities Association for Gifted & Talented Children Co-sponsored by The Learning Tree Enrichment Center Publication & R & W Pub
Sunday, June 28, 2026 · 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
A virtual symposium for parents and educators to explore topics and discuss issues of vital importance to the development of quality identification, educational, and creative opportunities for historically underrepresented gifted & talented children.
CCAGTC Summer Enrichment Scholar awardees will also be recognized.
Registration: Required. Symposium access details will be provided upon registration. Contact: info@ccagtc.org or call 323-750-6559 · ccagtc.org/events CCAGTC is a non-profit 501(c)(3).
June 28, 2026, 2:00–3:30 p.m. Honoring Lula Washington, Asantawa Olatunji, Charles Gyden, Monique Thompson, and Jheri Murdock. Summer Scholarship awardees will be announced. Info: ccagtc.org · info@ccagtc.org · 323-750-6559 · ccagtc.org/events
Applications are open for the third cohort of the Olivia E. Mitchell LA City Youth Council. This youth-led council comprises 30 young Angelenos ages 16–25 from across the City of Los Angeles. Interested young people ages 16–25 who live in Los Angeles and want to amplify youth voices should consider applying. Applications close June 7th. Contact: ydd.community@lacity.org
For youth ages 14–24 seeking work experience, skills development, financial literacy, coaching & mentoring, and career exposure. Visit HireLAYouth.com to learn more.
2520 S West View Street, LA, CA 90016. Two weeks of dance, drums, singing, songwriting, keyboards, visual art, African Martial Arts, beat making, theatre, puppet making, and poetry. Open to ages 7–12; 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Call 323-734-1165 or email wgsarts@lacity.org.
Sunday, June 7th. Take a class with legendary Marguerite Derricks of Étoile. Also featuring performances from Syncopated Ladies, H.E. Through the Arts Inc., Amazing Grace Conservatory, and DADA. More free dance classes to be announced.
200 West Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. Saturday, June 14, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Free full day of creativity: live music and dance, interactive art workshops, local food vendors, and art inspired by animals, plants, and vibrant piñatas. Call (619) 233-8792 or info@thinkplaycreate.org.
4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Camp Hollywoodland for Girls ages 6–17 (swimming, crafts, hiking, campfire singing, horseback riding): (213) 467-7193. Griffith Park Boys' Camp ages 7–14: (213) 664-0571. Park: (213) 485-5501 or (323) 913-4688 · camps@lacity.org · camp.hollywoodland@lacity.org
National Holidays: African American Music Appreciation Month
Happy Birthday: 6/7/1917 — Gwendolyn Brooks, Black poet
Dates to Remember: June 19 — Juneteenth
Calendar abbreviated from the print/PDF issue; some entries were truncated in the source extract.
By Bailey Massey
Technology has really changed everyone's lives, for better or for worse; that is for you to decide. However, I want to talk about how much technology we use in our daily lives without even realizing it. From helping us get places, to filling out job applications, to finding recipes and tutorials for almost anything, technology—along with AI—has truly changed the world. Even so, many people believe that technology and social media have also created problems in our society. In this essay, I will discuss how I use technology, along with its benefits and drawbacks.
I use technology for playing games, completing schoolwork, and watching videos. Playing video games is both exciting and enjoyable. It can improve focus and reaction time, but it also has disadvantages. One of the main concerns people discuss is how addictive video games can be. Games are designed to be fun, but sometimes they become so addictive that they interfere with schoolwork, health, and social interactions. It is clear that video games have changed society. While there are concerns about their negative effects, it is not all bad. Many people play video games to relax and unwind after a long day. Although gaming can be beneficial, it is important to maintain balance so that it does not interfere with other important parts of life.
Before computers, projectors, and interactive screens became common in classrooms, teachers had to write everything on whiteboards or chalkboards. Nowadays, a teacher can simply use a projector and enhance lessons with examples from the internet. Computers also make it much easier to type assignments without the physical strain of writing everything by hand. Teachers can show videos of historical events or documentaries that help students better understand different time periods. However, technology in education is not entirely positive. ChatGPT and search engines are major concerns in schools because they make it easy to find answers online, especially with the introduction of AI-powered search tools. Technology has changed how we complete academic work, but it has also made cheating easier. Some people worry that students could misuse these tools and earn degrees without fully mastering the required knowledge. Schools may need more advanced methods for detecting AI-assisted cheating, or the future of academic integrity could be at risk.
Ultimately, technology is neither entirely good nor entirely bad; its impact depends on how responsibly we choose to use it.
Junior Editor — AJ Kimathi
This month we asked the Junior Reporters to reflect on something that they learned this year. I hope you enjoy reading about their experiences. The Junior Reporters will receive special recognition at the CCAGTC symposium. Thank you for reading our Kids' Page.
Would you like to share your writing or artistic creations? Send your story to AJ at info@ccagtc.org.
In the beginning of the school year, at first, I struggled with motivation. I would start strong, but I often lost momentum when things got difficult or when life became busy. Over time, I began to understand that discipline is stronger than motivation. I used to study only when I felt motivated, but that led to slow progress and frustration.
Learning Spanish taught me that consistency builds confidence. It's not about being perfect; it's about showing up and putting in the effort. The habit of practicing, even for a few minutes each day, helped me improve and stay on track.
One change I plan to make is setting clearer goals each week. Small, realistic goals will help me keep moving forward without feeling overwhelmed. I am not very good at being organized, so I think I need to use a digital planner or a calendar app to help me keep track of assignments, deadlines, and goals. By staying organized and consistent, I believe I can continue making progress and become a more successful student.
My favorite game is called Hero x Hero. Hero x Hero is a VR game where you run with your hands, transform into heroes, and fight bad guys to level up. The game has rarities, types, and styles. The types are phantom, arcane, and titan. The rarities are normal, rare, epic, legendary, and mythic. The styles currently are fighter, slayer, and werebeast.
You can buy cosmetics to wear on your avatar in the game with coins. There is also an event that gives you coins but you have to eliminate an enemy. The enemy is called cluckaboom. This enemy spawns if you eliminate other enemies—but be careful. After you get them lower than half their health, they explode so you have to run or eliminate them before they do. You can get new abilities with other tokens. There are three bosses: goststare, sariphyme, and overseer. After you eliminate the bosses they have chances of dropping a block that you can open to get new characters. That is the game I currently like right now. If you're into VR games that allow you to role play as a super hero giving you powers while being physical, I'd recommend this game for you.
10th grade was a rough year, especially since we didn't have a chemistry or geometry teacher for the entire first semester. That made me feel like I didn't learn much at all. On top of that, I wasn't turning in my work when I was supposed to, so by the end of the year, I was stressed out and rushing to complete missing assignments just to earn passing grades in my classes.
11th grade is going to be my reset year. I'm going to do everything I didn't do last year by staying on top of my work from day one so I don't end up panicking at the end of the year. To make sure I do better, I'm changing the way I study. That means no more last-minute cramming, putting my phone away so I can focus, and reviewing my notes a little each week so I actually learn the material and keep my grades up. I'm also going to ask for help right away if I get confused, use tools like flashcards to help me remember important information, and use a calendar or app to keep track of due dates so nothing catches me off guard. To make sure this doesn't happen again, I will create a daily routine that helps me finish my homework and stay organized.
info@ccagtc.org · Roots & Wings Jr. Reporters
Central Cities Association for Gifted and Talented Children 112 S. Market Street, Suite 398, Inglewood, CA 90301
Call: 323-750-6559 · Email: info@ccagtc.org
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