Your favorite show impacts you.
The Wire has left a lasting rippling impact on Baltimore and beyond.
The show painted a broader picture of how systems affect peoples lives.
The themes:
1-The drug trade and policing
2-The working class and the port
3-Politics and Reform
4-Education
5-Media
Baltimore today is not the Baltimore then. Its evident in the work of our mayor, elected officials, leaders, businesses and community initiatives.
Albeit, the wire has made its mark by remaining a controversial film due to its undeniable truth.
Despite efforts of hard work, media has its impactful role and Dr. S. Rasheem understands that with her work on The Baltimore Legacy Project. The Baltimore Legacy Project carries the ethical obligation that knowledge must contribute to improving the material conditions of the communities from which it emerges. I’d like to cite a few words about Dr. S.Rasheem “…..She works to ensure that the knowledge produced about Baltimore does more than interpret the city, it circulates within the community, inspires dialogue across generations and contributes to building a more equitable future for the people who call it home.”
Season 4 of The Wire focused on education and the theme- Children’s futures are shaped by the environments and opportunities around them. The focus was middle aged students and mostly adults. We must remember that adults are children first and early intervention at the earlier stages is always best.
Each episode asked us, What support could have changed this child’s trajectory?
Here is your invite to Playdates with Ms.Brittney!
Playdates with Ms.Brittney is navigational therapy guiding through developmental milestones and the systems that affect them, through an educational show that extends into positively impacting Baltimore and beyond.
Autism and developmental delays statistics are eye opening. So is the school to prison pipeline. The Wire and social data reveals that the male brain is wired differently and I believe the effort of education should match that. If boys don’t meet their developmental milestones then they don’t become leaders of neither community nor home and that domino effect of a broken system perpetuates. All children matter but can we agree that we should ensure there are more than enough protectors, providers and leaders for a balanced peace in community?
Play dates with Ms.Brittney is social entrepreneurship primarily focused on education but collaborating with other industry sectors.
See you in community 🫶🏼
Our Story
It is truly
my pleasure!
It all began with the desire for community…
Raise your hand if you want a child with a delay, disability or any special need?
I 100% respect that many adults have counted the cost and are honest about their capacity.
I carry this responsibility daily as a mom and my daughter as a sibling.
I want to pause here to address something extremely important. The language being used when we talk about children with disabilities as something to avoid, fear or opt out of…can quietly cross into dehumanizing territory. I’m sure it’s not your intention, however, the impact of what is heard is felt by parents, children and their loved ones.
Children with special needs are not outcomes.
They are not worse case scenarios.
They are children whose lives should be treasured, respected and… belong.
I would love for this to be a shared language; people with and without disabilities live, learn, work and play together!
I have a degree in Elementary Education from Morgan State University. I have gained knowledge from a parental lens via homeschool and multiple therapies: Applied Behavioral Analysis, Speech, Occupational, Feeding, Dental, mom groups, IEP meetings and have taken a deep dive into nutritional education. My journey has produced- Play Dates with Ms.Brittney!
I’m excited to help children reach their developmental milestones and to improve the systems that hit close to home.
The views, opinions, and statements expressed in my writings, presentations, and public commentary are solely my own and do not reflect the views, positions, or policies of any other individuals, units or social structure.
Slow, Steady and Strong- We grow together!
Carter is a wonderful character to help introduce lessons about emotional well-being, preserverance, friendship, problem-solving and confidence.
Whether learning a new skill, making a new friend, or working through a challenge, Carter shows that steady effort leads to meaningful growth.
Carter the turtle is the male mental health advocate, inspired by my baby brother. At 24 years young his life was succumbed to gun violence.
I find some peace in Baltimore City’s 52nd Mayor Brandon Scotts term focus is to end gun violence and build and equitable city. The city itself has many mediation methods and programs focused on proactive deescalation and the statistics speak for themselves.
Reflecting over his life, I wonder how different would his life had been had he slowed down to make better decisions. Especially since he had a wonderful sense of humor, a gift in mechanics and the drive to lead.
My brother had no developmental delay but traditional school didn’t hold interest and he loved to live life fast. Education and mentorship is not a one size fit all because everyone is unique. His character places a high regard for mentors to step up and step in for vulnerable youth navigating the same challenges they faced.
There is no I in community, (well it is but it’s at the end and for good measure) with Carter as our guide, let’s slow down and measure twice before we cut.
C
Every little step is a big reason to celebrate!
Big on nutrition and kinship, meet Dot, the wise and gentle elephant with a heart as big as her ears!
Inspired by the love, warmth, wisdom (and love of elephants) of my Grandmother Dorothy.
Known for her incredible memory, Dot helps children remember important routines, safety skills and more.
She encourages curiosity, empathy, teamwork and resilience while helping families build confidence together.
My grandmother Dorothy experienced the grief of having raised her family in the shadow of Baltimore’s drug epidemic.
This led to a fracture through the grandchildren; some were placed in foster care and others stayed with paternal family members. Subdued to a closed adoption and reliant on community, my grandmother would be very pleased about the efforts around kinship today.
Kinship wasn’t officially recognized many years ago. And now in Maryland kinship care month is officially celebrated every September thanks to our beloved Governor Wes Moore.
I am also proud to be in community with Charlenes Circle of Support.
T
Let's rake the worries away!
Rakey is a character that helps children and families build skills connected to the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), which are the conditions that influence health, learning, and overall well-being.
Rakey is the energetic emotional heart of the show that’s full of love!
She wears her heart on her sleeve so viewers can see her emotions clearly, aiding in the development of emotional intelligence.
Each episode she invites us to work alongside her to learn self regulation with balancing chaos through calm and emotion with wisdom.
Children with developmental delays often experience sensory overload that makes almost everyday challenging.
For some reason taking a pile of leaves, walking through leaves or watching them fall has always been soothing for both me and my children.
I knew this would be a fun character for all that invites us into nature, wellness and the social determinants of health.
Everyone of us has a light to share!
Kindness makes our community brighter.
Willie helps children reflect on the lesson of the day. As Willie’s light slowly rotates across the sky; showing photos from the days playdate, reinforcing that every episode ends with hope, reflection and the reminder that every child has something valuable to contribute to the community.
I had two pastors that helped shaped my path as a youth and ironically both of their names is William.
Willie is the character helping us to embody how to be a good neighbor in community.
Big Dreams in Baltimore.
Every play date we host is designed with intention, from the atmosphere we create to the way each session flows.