Today we’d like to introduce you to Colin Page McGinnis.
Hi Colin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
As a first-generation college student, I moved to Columbus quite young to attend the Ohio State University in 2011. While initially starting my academic journey in animal sciences, I made my way through a discovery of my love of research and ended up at the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy where I knew I wanted to do “this.” unsure how, or even what exactly, “this” was, I continued my education at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln for my Masters in educational psychology and then back to Ohio State for my doctorate in Human Development and Family Sciences. I served as the Director of Policy and Research for an education equity organization Being Balck at School, and then in 2018 was given the opportunity to takeover SproutFive (then South Side Learning & Development Center) as CEO. Along the way, I got married to my husband Chris, moved back to Columbus, and ultimately settled into our first home in Upper Arlington.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say anyone who says their journey has been bump-free hasn’t spent the time to reflect on, learn from, and celebrate the journey. I have spent a lot of time thinking about how I want to present myself professionally both as a queer man and during the start of my time at SproutFive, the youngest in the room. Innovation has often been questioned as naive risk-taking. Authentic leadership has been confused as over emotion. Doubt in my ability or motive has been presented. In all of that though presents the opportunity to be authentically me, build amazing teams, and chart a path towards disrupting entire sectors as the “underdog.” Yet at the same time, I know I am extremely fortunate. I am privileged in that any bump along the way for me has not been driven by many of the systemic issues facing others in Columbus. Because of that, and the experience I have has myself, I see it as my role to uplift and give the opportunity to those who others may not see the potential in.
We’ve been impressed with SproutFive, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At SproutFive, formerly South Side Early Learning, we believe every child deserves a holistic, high-quality early education. Our goal is to ensure that all children are given the opportunity to thrive during their first five years of life. With a century of history (we were established in 1922!) and a startup mindset, SproutFive is looking to position itself as a national leader and reimagine the field of early learning.
Our model is to co-locate early education and child care within nonprofit hubs, education institutions, affordable housing complexes, and employers to reduce barriers for families. In doing so, we see early education as the first and most effective mechanism for community development.
While from the outside our work appears to be a collection of classrooms across the city of Columbus, behind the scenes is a team working at the forefront of a movement to ensure children have access to holistic learning experiences they need to develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically during those critical first five years of life. Our work goes beyond “just child care,” as we work to support the people who support the children. The families. The teachers. The communities. Because, as they say, “it takes a village.” And we’re here to empower that village. To ensure the very best starts for our children.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Some of my favorites include: If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin (novel), Exit Here by Jason Myers (novel, with several amazing quotes), Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman (novel), G Is for Growing: Thirty Years of Research on Children and Sesame Street edited by Shalom M. Fisch and Rosemarie T. Truglio (edited book), Circle Time (podcast, and shameless plug), Learning Unboxed (podcast), It’s Been a Minute (podcast), Code Switch (podcast), training at Short North Muay Thai (hobby/physical wellness, mental health)
Contact Info:
- Email: info@sproutfive.org
- Website: sproutfive.org
- Twitter: twitter.com/colinpagemcginn
Image Credits
Julie Jackson
