The Children’s Services Council of Leon County (CSC Leon) and Whole Child Leon will convene community leaders, service providers, and business stakeholders for the 2026 Summit on Children, a two-day gathering focused on strengthening the systems that support children, youth, and families across the region.
Now in its second year as a joint initiative, the Summit will be held March 10–11 at Florida A&M University, marking the first time the event has taken place on the historic campus. Hosting the Summit at FAMU reflects the university’s longstanding role in cultivating leadership, expanding opportunity, and preparing generations of students who go on to serve communities across Florida and the nation.
Bringing the Summit to the university also underscores a broader message about who belongs in the conversations shaping the future of children and families. For many attendees, the location is a reminder that strong communities are built when institutions of higher education, service providers, employers, and civic leaders work together to ensure opportunity reaches every neighborhood.
The Summit is designed to connect leaders across education, health, workforce development, and community services to align efforts and advance a shared vision for children and families from conception to career.
“The Summit brings together the people and organizations who play a role in shaping a child’s path from their earliest years to adulthood,” said Cecka Rose Green, Executive Director of the Children’s Services Council of Leon County. “Hosting this year’s gathering at Florida A&M University is a powerful reminder of the role institutions like FAMU play in developing talent, strengthening families, and preparing the next generation of leaders.”
The two-day event features two distinct but complementary gatherings.
On Tuesday, March 10, the Business Breakfast will convene employers, civic leaders, and economic development stakeholders to explore the connection between child and family well-being, workforce readiness, and regional economic growth. The program will feature a keynote presentation by Corrie Melton in her new role as Vice President of Talent Development for the Future of Work at the Florida Chamber Foundation, legislative remarks from members of our local delegation, and a moderated panel with Dan McGrew (McGrew Consulting Group), Makayla Buchanan (The Children’s Movement of Florida), Tangela Lofton (Florida SBDC at Florida A&M University), and Keantha Belton Moore (CareerSource Capital Region).
On Wednesday, March 11, the Provider Roundtable will bring together nonprofit leaders, service providers, and community partners for a full-day working session focused on strengthening coordination across the conception-to-career continuum. Facilitated by Dr. El Brown, founder of KinderJam and a national leader in early childhood systems engagement, the roundtable is designed to move participants from conversation to coordinated action. The agenda includes a shared framing of the local continuum of care, small-group working sessions, and structured dialogue to identify opportunities for stronger alignment between programs serving children and families at every stage of development.
Whole Child Leon interim Executive Director J’ere Clark emphasized that collaboration remains central to the partnership between the two organizations.
“This Summit reflects the belief that no single organization can do this work alone,” said Clark. “When providers, educators, businesses, and community leaders come together with a shared purpose, we strengthen the village that allows every child to thrive.”
Together, CSC Leon and Whole Child Leon continue to work with partners across the community to advance coordinated strategies that support kindergarten readiness, youth development, family stability, and workforce preparation.
Register on Eventbrite
Registration is free but required for each Summit event:
Business Breakfast (March 10, 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summit-on-children-business-breakfast-tickets-1983329146868?aff=oddtdtcreator
Provider Roundtable (March 11, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summit-on-children-provider-roundtable-tickets-1983329670434?aff=oddtdtcreator
For more information, contact Holly McPhail at hmcphail@cscleon.org.
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