Biography

Brian L. Wright, PhD, is an associate professor and program coordinator of the Integrated Early Childhood program at the University of Memphis. He also serves as the Chair of the Special Interest Group (SIG) Critical Perspectives in Early Childhood Education of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). His research focuses on high-achieving African American boys in urban schools P-12, racial-ethnic identity development of boys and young men of color, African American males as early childhood teachers, and teacher identity development. He is listed in the "RISE for Boys and Men of Color Expert Directory," a searchable directory of more than 100 researchers and evaluators who rigorously and routinely study boys and men of color and evaluate programs to serve them. He is the author of the award-winning book The Brilliance of Black Boys: Cultivating School Success in the Early Grades, published by Teachers College Press/Columbia University, and is also the co-editor and author of the award-winning book Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition.

Brian L. Wright: Candidate Statement 1
Brian L. Wright: Candidate Statement 2

Briefly describe your relevant experience in governance and your understanding of fiduciary duties and fiscal responsibilities. How have you applied these principles in previous positions or organizations, and how do you plan to contribute to the effectiveness and financial stewardship of our Board? 

My relevant experience in governance includes the MSCS' Division of EC Head Start Policy Council since 2014, Coordinator of the Integrated EC program, Chair of the AERA Critical Perspectives in Early Childhood Education/ Special Interest Group, and PI and Co-PI of several grants. 

As a resident ECE expert for the MSCS's Division of EC HS, I help manage one of Tennessee's largest HS grants. I understand my fiduciary duties as a steward of the organization with a high level of prudence. By this, I mean acting in the organization's best interest with care/skill, ensuring public trust and transparency, and that all financial information is sound and accurate before it is shared with the public. 

Since 2018, I have coordinated the Integrated EC program, managed its budget, and contributed to its growth and fiscal health. As a steward of the program, I act in the organization's best interest, ensuring public trust and transparency by making sure that all financial information is sound and accurate before sharing in meetings. 

My high level of prudence has led to significant growth and success in my professional roles. I have notably increased enrollment and the overall fiscal health of the Integrated EC program, department, and College of Education, demonstrating my effectiveness in governance and leadership. 

Another role in which I have been effective in governance is a national leadership position as Chair of the CPECE-SIG. In this capacity, I manage the operating budget and report the work of the SIG's leadership team to the AERA's governing board, demonstrating fidelity, transparency, and accuracy of the annual expenditures. As a result, membership within the SIG has grown, and so has the operating budget. 

I have served as PI and Co-PI of several grants. I am currently the Co-PI of a five-year grant from the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences. In this role, I work collaboratively and cooperatively with the PI, demonstrating a high level of prudence, transparency, and public trust to ensure that the operating budget adheres to the highest standards of prudence and fiscal responsibilities toward impactful outcomes in STEM for underrepresented populations. 

With this background, I am committed to the same high-level stewardship if elected to NAEYC's Governing Board. I will act with integrity and prudence in the best interest of NAEYC and its members and partners, always keeping the mission and strategic priorities of NAEYC at the forefront of my decisions