Ayan Wilson, Founder, Everyone's Daycare: Good morning, everyone. I like that. Good morning, everyone - one more time, I always wanted to say that. So, my name is Ayan Wilson. I'm an early childcare educator in a residential setting. First, I want to recognize Estella B. Diggs Democratic Club. I want to recognize ECE on the Move.
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I want to recognize Providers Organized for Power, better known as POP. And every single person that continued to stand for early childhood educators and the families we serve.
Today is extremely personal for me. For years, childhood educators have been asking for a seat at the table. We have been asking not merely to be invited into a room, but also genuinely be heard. And today, look around. I invite you to look around; an early childhood educator in a residential setting such as myself standing with the mayor.
So, asking for a seat at the table, we have been asking not merely to be invited to a room, but genuinely be heard. And today, an early childhood educator in a residential setting. So, I want you guys to think about that. And I do not remember seeing - I don't remember seeing this from other administrations, have you? I have not. This is what having a seat at the table looks like; this is what being heard looks like. And while we still have important work ahead of us, we should never be afraid to acknowledge progress when we see it.
I brought concerns about CCAP directly to this administration. Concerns that we've been crying about and screaming about for a very long time. And something happened that has not happened before. Not only did they listen, but they did something about it. So, we begin to see movement where movement has never been. And no, everything is not fixed, absolutely not. We still have ways to go. But there is a difference when we are being heard, and being heard matters because that is where change begins.
I especially want to acknowledge the mayor's office team - his incredible team - and the people I call day and night about childhood issues. And I'm going to keep calling you, Emmy Liss, Nick and Yvonne. And you guys are always going to pick up, because that's just who you are.
Because, believe it or not, guys, we are the first line of defense for families. We are essential to the city. Childcare is not a red or blue issue; it is an American issue. No matter your political affiliations or how much money you make in this city, when you have children, you think about two things: The cost and the availability of childcare.
We still have to work; we will continue to organize; we will continue to advocate. And we will continue to push for investments for CCAP - Childcare Assistance Program - [that] families and educators desperately need.
But today, I am grateful. I'm grateful that our voices are being heard. I'm grateful that we're seeing movement on issues that we've raised time and time again. And I'm hopeful that the next promise kept will be real and substantial investment into CCAP.
