
Congratulations to Kim Davenport! She has been named the new CEO of the Worcester-based, early childhood organization Edward Street. Davenport will have the mentoring support of Edward Street’s retiring CEO, Eve Gilmore.
“The board is thrilled to have Kim as the next CEO of Edward Street – she has a deep understanding of the landscape and can hit the ground running,” Edward Street’s Board President Monica M. Thomas-Bonnick said in a Worcester Guardian article. “More importantly, she is a champion for children and families, comes with industry expertise, and a passion for our work. We are the lucky ones.”
Davenport has served as Edward Street’s vice president of Initiatives & Aligned Programs for more than a decade, as a press release notes.
“Throughout her career, Davenport has spearheaded transformative projects that have shaped the region’s approach to early childhood education,” the Worcester Guardian article adds. “She collaborated with three Worcester Public School Superintendents to advance initiatives in preschool and special education, developed a community-wide framework for early learning, and led a cross-sector plan to expand access to high-quality preschool opportunities.
“One of her notable achievements includes creating Worcester Reads’ All-America City application, which highlighted the city’s efforts to promote early literacy.”
As readers of this blog know, Davenport has also served as the managing director of Edward Street’s Birth to 3rd Grade Alignment. She attends State House hearings, where she has supported early childhood bills and joined other communities in the ongoing work of keeping legislators informed. And Davenport is a regular attendee and presenter on The 9:30 Call and has helped shape and lead The Early Childhood Agenda.
Davenport herself tells us, “I am honored to lead Edward Street into its next chapter. We have good momentum in our city’s renaissance and on the work being done to thoughtfully include young children in city planning. We have a chance — and the tremendous responsibility — to center choices on young children to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.
“Edward Street promotes early childhood success, which is, in essence, the ingredient for success for our neighborhoods, communities, businesses and the Commonwealth.”
About Edward Street’s work with Strategies for Children, Davenport says:
“Strategies for Children has been an inspirational partner in our work both locally and at the state level. We are eager to continue work on The Early Childhood Agenda and on how we can strengthen and support each community’s local infrastructure for early childhood.”
“I can’t emphasize enough how valuable Strategies for Children is to our work. Their connection, thought partnership, and resources all enhance the early education field.”
We look forward to continuing this collaboration, as we all strive to build a stronger early childhood system across Massachusetts.