February 29, 2024

Kim Harris: Lifting People Up with "Big-Ups"

48 minutes

Kris welcomes the awesome Kim Harris, affectionately known as "Big Ups," from The Harris & Tucker School in Connecticut. Kim talks about getting her structures "right and tight" and how she stays on the pulse of good leadership. She talks more about the rich legacy of The Harris & Tucker School, and their mission to create superhero influencers and a culture that connects the whole community. She expounds more on Harris & Tucker's values of respect, integrity, and faith-based education and how she has accomplished so many goals over the years, one of which was getting accredited.

Key Takeaways:

[10:55] Kim joins the show and talks about Harris & Tucker schools, along with how it is a product of the civil unrest in the 60s.

[12:00] Harris & Tucker becoming an urban epicenter and growth community.

[15:23] Harris & Tucker is the only Black-woman, family-owned-and-operated, nationally accredited faith-based urban center in the area.

[16:56] Kim speaks more about Harris & Tucker's leadership structure.

[20:56] The two big things that really set Harris & Tucker apart.

[22:03] Creating superhero influencers.

[24:28] Where did the phrase "big ups" come from?

[25:04] Kim discusses taking on her new role after her mother's passing and her vision for growth, including national accreditation.

[27:03] The beauty of longevity in the community, along with values such as community connection and ongoing education.

[28:02] Why the pandemic was the best thing that happened to the school.

[33:26] The benefits they have seen since joining the Childcare Success Academy.

[36:11] Automating operations and systems.

[38:24] Plans for the cultural activities center.

[41:27] The famous soap story!

[44:13] Kim defines a childcare rockstar as someone who has helped to create a movement through transforming their community.

Quotes:

"This is because of the mindset of two black women who came to Connecticut, and said that they were going to make a difference and do the things that they were going to do." — Kim [12:22]
"We walk our core values. We talk about it all the time." — Kim [20:33]
"We can talk about all the dreams and everything that we want to have in life, but if we don't do the action part, it doesn't happen." — Kim [22:30]
"That's what we teach our kids here with the school — you have a chance to create your hustle, create your legacy, and to keep it going." — Kim [44:14]
"To be a childcare rockstar is a movement that just moves us all forward. I think when you arrive at the status of childcare Rockstar, you've helped to create a movement. " — Kim [45:38]