Patricia Kimathi
Educational therapist and editor of Roots & Wings
Roots & Wings connects families to opportunities. This is at the heart of why the Central Cities Association for Gifted & Talented Children (CCAGTC) publishes Roots & Wings. Families cannot take advantage of programs, services, scholarships, and educational opportunities if they do not know they exist. For historically underserved families of gifted, talented, and twice-exceptional (2e) children, access to accurate, useful, and timely information can make the difference between an opportunity discovered and an opportunity missed.
Giftedness and talent exist in every community, but opportunities to identify and develop them are not equally available. Black, Latino, Native American, low-income students, English learners, and students with disabilities have historically been underrepresented in gifted programs and advanced courses. Twice-exceptional children face additional challenges because learning, attention, executive-functioning, or other differences can mask their gifted abilities. Their exceptional strengths can also mask areas where they need support.
Parents are often their children's strongest advocates, but they need information to advocate effectively. Some families may recognize that their child has unusual abilities, creativity, curiosity, leadership, artistic talent, or advanced interests but may not know how to have those abilities formally recognized. Others may not know about gifted programs, advanced classes, STEM opportunities, scholarships, arts programs, athletic opportunities, college preparation, or community resources available to their children.
Roots & Wings was created to help close this information and opportunity gap. Through the publication, CCAGTC brings information directly to families about educational resources and programs that can help children recognize, explore, and strengthen their gifts and talents.
Roots & Wings shares information about gifted and 2e education, scholarships, STEM and technology programs, visual and performing arts, athletics, mentoring, leadership development, college and career preparation, family activities, community events, and other enrichment opportunities. It also provides articles that help parents understand giftedness and twice-exceptionality, navigate educational systems, work collaboratively with schools, and advocate for appropriate educational opportunities.
For historically underserved families, this connection is particularly important. Finding a program is only the first step. Families also need to understand why an opportunity may benefit their child, how to access it, and how to advocate when barriers arise. Roots & Wings helps families become more informed and confident participants in their children's education.
CCAGTC was founded in 2020 to advocate for equitable identification and participation in high-quality educational and enrichment programs. Roots & Wings puts that mission into action by creating a network through which families, educators, educational therapists, community organizations, mentors, and other advocates can share information and expand access to opportunity.
We encourage our community to tell us about schools, programs, scholarships, internships, cultural activities, STEM experiences, arts programs, athletic opportunities, and other resources that welcome and support historically underserved children. We also ask families to share Roots & Wings with other parents and caregivers.
When one family discovers an opportunity and shares it with another, the entire community becomes stronger.
Our children should not miss opportunities because their families did not know where to find them. Roots & Wings gives families the roots of information, advocacy, and community—and helps give our children the wings to discover their gifts, develop their talents, and pursue their possibilities.
Empowering families. Expanding access. Elevating potential.