EC LOC Membership
Affinity Spaces &
Regional Groups
Member-driven spaces created to deepen relationships, build trust, and strengthen our movement. These groups exist because you — the members of EC LOC — voiced the need for spaces that reflect your unique experiences, identities, and communities.
Affinity Meetups
Regional Meetups
Regional Affinity Meetups
How These Groups Work
1
Co-Created by Members
Each group is organized by members, with full support from the Collaborative. Groups are self-determined — you shape the agenda, the rhythm, and the focus.
2
Leadership is Compensated
Members who host events for their group can opt in to be compensated for their time. EC LOC covers all costs, and leadership can rotate — there's no obligation to commit beyond what works for you.
3
Costs Fully Covered
All gathering costs are covered by the Collaborative. Participation is voluntary — join when it resonates. No obligations, just opportunities for connection.
Active Groups · July 2025
Find Your Space
Affinity
Birth Equity & Black Maternal Health
Birth equity, perinatal health, and United for Black Maternal Health efforts — a space rooted in urgency and collective care.
Affinity
Black Women EC LOC
Creating space for Black women leaders to rest, connect, and rise together.
Affinity
Men of EC LOC
A gathering space for male-identifying leaders of color to reflect, build community, and support one another's leadership.
Affinity
Latine EC LOC
Celebrating language, culture, and leadership across Latine communities in early childhood.
Affinity
South Asian EC LOC
South Asian leaders cultivating shared identity, community care, and cultural storytelling.
Affinity
LGBTQIA+ Group
An inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ members to gather, share, and build community rooted in identity and liberation.
Affinity
Social Emotional Learning
For members advancing SEL in early childhood — sharing practices, challenges, and innovations in the space.
Affinity
Consultant of ECD
A network for independent consultants working in early childhood to exchange resources, referrals, and collective wisdom.
Regional
Midwest
Connecting EC LOC across the Midwest to share resources, spark partnerships, and explore region-specific action.
Regional
East Coast + Mid-Atlantic
For EC LOC rooted in NYC and the Mid-Atlantic to build solidarity, support, and influence local systems of care and education.
Regional
Bay Area EC LOC
Bringing together Bay Area-based leaders to share practice, power, and possibilities for local transformation.
Regional
West Coast (CA, PNW, Alaska)
Centering the brilliance and activism of EC LOC across L.A. County and the West Coast to fuel collective action and belonging.
Regional
Southwest + Mountain West
Members representing Texas, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, and more.
Regional
Gulf States
Uniting leaders across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and beyond to address the unique challenges and strengths of the Gulf South.
Regional
PNW Regional Group
Serving EC LOC in the Pacific Northwest with a space for connection, strategy, and mutual support.
Regional Affinity
Chicago Collective for Black Women in ECE
An intimate circle for Black women leaders in Chicago's early childhood field to deepen connection and amplify collective impact.