Join us as The Foundation for Black Excellence raises funds to provide equitable education in Oakland, CA. After opening Oakland Community Montessori School at FBE Schools to provide quality and affirming education to young children throughout the Bay Area, we are asking our community to join us in providing equitable access!

THE NEED

Although California hopes to provide universal access to Transitional Kindergarten for all 4-year-olds by the 2025-2026 school year, there are no universal programs that focus on a very critical part of a child’s development. The first three years of a baby’s life is the foundation for their physical and emotional health and sets the trajectory for the rest of their life. Due to social disparities in the United States, opportunity gaps can show up as early as 18 months of age and widen throughout early childhood.

This year, The Foundation for Black Excellence is expanding our focus on education by providing equitable access to an effective early learning program. Preschool costs in Oakland can be upwards of $25K each year for a quality program whereas the average household income is closer to $97K and the median household income for Black families is only $43K annually. That means that child care can claim more than one fourth of the average family’s income per child and for Black families, that number is more than half! Access to quality early education programs are financially out of reach for the average Black family.

The Foundation for Black Excellence and Oakland Community Montessori School seeks to close the educational opportunity gap by providing quality education opportunities for families in the Bay Area.

THE SCHOOL

Oakland Community Montessori School at FBE Schools (OCMS) is the first preschool to open under FBE Schools, the flagship program of The Foundation for Black Excellence, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide comprehensive intervention, prevention, education, and community services for vulnerable populations in the community.

OCMS is a licensed, in home Montessori preschool located in Oakland, California. Its focus is on providing quality, culturally affirming early education to children throughout the Bay Area. OCMS serves children aged 18 months to 4 years old.

YOUR IMPACT

Your generous gift will help fund the Oakland Community Montessori School at FBE Schools and its expansion. Through your donation, you can help make quality early childhood education more accessible for Bay Area Families.

By giving to the OCMS Equity Fund, you are closing the educational opportunity gap before it even begins, providing equitable access for families.

GIFTING OPPORTUNITIES

CHANGEMAKER | $25K+
CHAMPION | $10K
ADVOCATE | $7.5K
AMBASSADOR | $5K
ALLY | $2019

EDUCATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Help close the achievement gap before it begins