At the Power, Unscripted: Week of the Young Child Brunch Experience, hosted by Programs For Parents, the atmosphere was a potent mix of high-fashion brunch energy and the raw, unvarnished truth of leadership in Newark. For the professional women in the room—the directors, the educators, and the advocates—it was a reminder that in our city, leadership isn’t just a title. It’s a form of resistance.
The Reality of the “Shift”
Nayibe Capellan, leading the day’s conversation, didn’t shy away from the hard numbers. Behind the beautiful brunch tables lies a system in a state of constant, often tectonic, shift. Last year alone, Programs For Parents managed over 100,000 calls and funneled $121 million in childcare subsidies to families.
But the heart of the morning was found in the stories of “showing up.” Nayibe shared a haunting memory from the height of the pandemic: parents dropping off children and asking to eat breakfast with them because there was no food at home; employees asking to take leftover scraps because their own cupboards were bare. The response? A $25,000 “Operation Rise” campaign to provide ShopRite gift cards. It was a testament to the fact that in Newark, we don’t just “deliver services”—we build people power.
When the Funding Stops, the Power Stays
Perhaps the most stirring moment was the story of the County Council for Young Children. After celebrating their 10th anniversary with plaques and resolutions, their funding was cut just three months later.
“That could have been the end of the story,” Nayibe told the crowd. “But it wasn’t.”
The parents kept meeting. They kept organizing. When told the money for their therapy services had run out, they didn’t walk away. They asked, “Who do we need to speak to? What door do we need to knock on?” That resilience is why today’s event proceeds are being committed to the Table Talk Initiative, funding that vital therapy for another year.
Lessons from the “Group Chat”
The guest speakers shared hard-won wisdom that every professional woman in Newark can relate to:
- Check Your Energy: Linelle Wright recalled how her own stress during a difficult transition was mirrored by the toddlers in her classroom. “Energy is transferable,” she noted. Whether you’re in a boardroom or a classroom, your team picks up on your spirit.
- The Power of the Pause: In a world that demands instant reactions, Khaili Harris swears by the “non-judgmental pause.” Letting a frustrated parent (or colleague) vent without immediate defense creates a space for healing.
- Advocacy is Not Optional: The call to action was clear. We need to move beyond “bossing” and into “advocating.”
A Call to Action: Start Strong NJ
The morning concluded with a directive for every woman in the room. If we want to see change, we have to make it impossible for legislators to ignore us.
“Community and joy are forms of resistance.” – Tahina Perez
Attendees were urged to join the Start Strong NJ campaign and sign the petition to make childcare more affordable and sustainable. It’s about ensuring that the “sacred work” of nurturing Newark’s future isn’t done in the dark, but is supported by the full weight of our collective voice.
As City Poet Laureate Mia X. beautifully put it during her performance: “Who holds morning before Sun knows how to write his name?” In Newark, the answer is us. And today, we were reminded that we aren’t doing it alone.
