TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At a time when early childhood systems across the United States are under increasing pressure, more than 300 leaders gathered in Tulsa for Catalyst 26: The Educare Network National Summit. The event served as a reimagined platform focused on strengthening early learning systems and improving long-term outcomes for children and families.
Hosted by the Educare Network, the three-day summit brought together educators, researchers, policymakers, family leaders, and advocates from across the country. The discussions centered on building stronger systems that support children and families—ranging from workforce development and educator support to economic mobility, policy alignment, and implementation strategies.
According to Kara H. Ahmed, the summit highlighted the importance of collaboration across sectors. She emphasized that lasting progress depends on aligning research, policy, practice, and community efforts around a shared vision for children and families.
The event encouraged participants to move beyond dialogue and toward actionable strategies, focusing on leadership, coordination, and long-term investment needed to help children, families, and educators thrive in a rapidly evolving environment.
The summit’s closing keynote was delivered by Raj Chetty, Professor of Public Economics at Harvard University and Director of Opportunity Insights. His research on economic mobility and childhood opportunity has significantly influenced national perspectives on how early experiences shape future success.
Chetty underscored that while talent is universal, access to opportunity is not, reinforcing the importance of strengthening early childhood environments to improve long-term life outcomes.
Tulsa provided a meaningful backdrop for the summit. The city is home to four Educare schools—more than any other U.S. city—and has demonstrated a strong commitment to early childhood education and family support systems.
Monroe Nichols highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in expanding opportunities for children and families, noting that early education plays a foundational role in shaping the future of communities.
The summit featured contributions from leading experts and practitioners, including:
Parent leaders from Washington, D.C., Miami, and Omaha also played a key role, grounding discussions in real-world experiences and perspectives of families.
The summit also featured Eric Litwin, original author of Pete the Cat, who led an engaging session focused on the role of creativity, storytelling, and joy in early childhood education. Through music and interactive activities, he highlighted how emotional connection and play are essential to building confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Participants engaged in immersive experiences, including a Learning Lab session at Educare Tulsa and a visit to the Greenwood District. The visit honored the legacy of Black Wall Street and provided an opportunity to reflect on resilience, community strength, and shared history.
The Educare Network is an independent organization dedicated to advancing high-quality early childhood education across 25 schools in 15 states, Washington, D.C., and the Winnebago Reservation in Nebraska. By integrating research, practice, and policy, Educare promotes strong early learning environments, supports educators, and helps shape systems that improve outcomes for children from birth to age five.
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