News and updates about our work
NPLI was proud to join the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) for its 2026 Annual Conference, held July 16–18 in the Chicago area. Centered on the theme “Building Bridges, Raising Voices, Shaping Futures,” the conference brought family child care educators, advocates, partners, and leaders from across the country together to learn, connect, and…
We’re excited to welcome Walter Pryor to the NPLI Board of Directors. Walter brings more than 25 years of experience across law, government relations, corporate leadership, and higher education. He currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel at Southern Bancorp, where he oversees administrative operations as well as legal, regulatory, and compliance functions….
This June, NPLI returned to Minnesota for the 2026 National Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) Training, bringing together a new group of facilitators, site coordinators, Civic Design Team members, and partners in Saint Paul for four days of learning, practice, and connection. The national training prepares local teams to bring PLTI to their communities while…
NPLI was proud to partner with the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) at the 2026 National Community Schools & Family Engagement Conference, held May 27–29 in Long Beach, California. Centered on the theme “Guiding Lights, Brighter Futures,” the conference brought together educators, family leaders, community organizations, and other partners from across the country to share…
The NPLI implementation team spent May 22–23 in Merced, California, bringing together PLTI alumni, facilitators, families, and community partners for a weekend of connection, celebration, and continued learning. A Countywide Alumni Reunion On Friday, nearly 80 PLTI alumni representing more than 13 years of cohorts across Merced County came together for the community’s first countywide…
Leadership is a journey of continuous learning, reflection, and growth. We’re proud to celebrate NPLI Executive Director Donna Thompson-Bennett, who was selected to participate in Gathering to Rise, a leadership cohort hosted by the Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC). The program brought together Black, Indigenous, Latine, Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, Asian, and Pacific…
NPLI was proud to join more than 200 parent leaders and partners from across the country for the 2026 UPLAN National Gathering, held April 21–24 in the Washington, D.C., area and online. Representing NPLI and PLTI communities were Donna Thompson-Bennett, Zulema Gomez, Liliana Uribe, Anthony Bonner of Memphis PLTI, Toyin Anderson of Greater Rochester PLTI,…
On March 31, the National Parent Leadership Institute hosted Staying Whole and United: A Love Letter and Support Guide for Families Navigating Harmful Immigration Raids and Policies, a virtual gathering for PLTI graduates across the country. The session came in response to concerns shared by PLTI graduates about the toll immigration raids and policies are…
As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the National Parent Leadership Institute joined civic education leaders from across the country in Philadelphia for the Civic Learning Week National Forum. Held March 9–10 as part of Civic Learning Week 2026, the forum brought together educators, researchers, community leaders, and organizations…
This spring, the Connecticut Parent Housing Table helped bring families, parent leaders, community organizations, and local officials together for two conversations focused on housing in Stamford. On February 28, members of the Parent Housing Table participated in the 2nd Annual Stamford Housing Fair: Housing Help for Every Neighbor, Every Stage, Every Home, hosted in partnership…
