Utah

GIFT CONNECT worked hard in Utah to build relationships and build public, private partnerships. 

1. Sam gave the keynote speech at the Park City Economic Summit.

2. Sam and the team met with early childhood learning centers to develop partnerships. 

3. Sam taught leadership and goal setting at private businesses to children and their parents.

4. Sam and team met with church leaders and philanthropy organizations. 

New York

Saturday June 3rd members of the GIFT CONNECT team took part in the Carnegie Lullaby Project Celebration.  

Each year, the Lullaby Project pairs new and expecting parents with professional artists to write and sing personal lullabies for their babies, supporting maternal health, aiding childhood development, and strengthening the bond between parent and child.

This performance features a selection of new works written this season—as well as the stories behind the songs—from the community of parents, songwriters, and partners who worked together to create them.

This heartwarming concert program honors the intimate moments of family life. 

Mississippi 

In January, Sam and select team members attended several events around the state of Mississippi. 

Sam was a featured speaker and featured on local news outlets while attending the Mississippi education conference. 

GIFT CONNECT spent a substantial amount of time touring early childhood education centers, and meeting with Mississippi’s top education experts to find out more about how the state has created public, private partnerships that have evolved into “The Mississippi Miracle.”  

Church Champions Part 2 

On April 10, 2023, we replicated our Church Champions program with 216 caregivers, 500 children, church leaders, Mutanda Dispensary health officials, and local tv and radio reporters who all came together to learn about the power behind the Birth to Three brain science and loving habits. Stellar partnered with T.C.C. and Redeemed Gospel Church for the event and was featured on Mutongoi FM and Mutongoi TV, Kamba TV and Mùsyù FM in Kenya. We are so thrilled to have over 200 more Champions joining our network who will be a part of impacting so many lives.

Church Champions Launch

On December 17, 2022 we launched our church champions program in Kenya! Stellar partnered with a network of interdenominational religious leaders to bring four champions from 25 churches to learn the brain science of Birth to Three, the lyrics to the Abubujubuju Baby Song and the importance of the “loving habits” of speaking, singing, playing, reading, counting and serve and return with children. We will be supporting the Champions in taking the message back to mothers and caregivers in their respected churches to further amplify our work.

Kitui County Events

Stellar is constantly speaking at weddings, dowry ceremonies, market gatherings, schools, hospitals and beyond to advocate for and amplify the importance of early childhood development from birth to three. At her events, mothers and caregivers are provided with informational handouts, wall hangings and other tools to support their journey in implementing the “loving habits” of speaking, singing, playing, reading, counting and serve & return into their daily lives.