Mission & History
Our children deserve the very best from the very beginning.
Small Magic supports the future stability and prosperity of our community by focusing on our most precious resource: our children. Our innovative programs embrace cutting-edge technology and the deep involvement of parents and teachers to ensure all the children in our community are prepared for kindergarten and a lifetime of economic mobility. Research shows that the earliest support for kids can have the most positive and cost-effective lifelong impact.
Together, we’re ensuring that Birmingham can become the best place in America to raise a child under five.
2013
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Providence, Rhode Island launches “Providence Talks” as part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge.
2016
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An in-depth, evidence-based program assessment showed very promising results.
2018
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Bloomberg Philanthropies commits to replicating the program in 5 cities across the U.S., including Birmingham.
2019
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Birmingham Talks launches and is selected as partner of Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education.
2020
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Birmingham Talks serves 93 children and 2 childcare centers in our first year.
2021
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Birmingham Talks serves 539 children and 11 childcare centers in our second year.
2022
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Birmingham Talks receives a historic, seven-figure municipal investment from the City of Birmingham to provide early literacy initiatives.
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Birmingham Talks offers the Start program to Spanish-speaking families, adding it to our full-time program roster.
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Birmingham Talks serves 665 children and 13 childcare centers in our third year of operation.
2023
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Birmingham Talks grows from a team of four to a team of eight to meet the increasing demand for our programs.
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Birmingham Talks pilots our first new initiative, Phonics Power, a science-based, reading preparation program for preschoolers.
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Birmingham Talks launches the Parents for Change Fellowship, empowering families to become early literacy facilitators in their communities.
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Birmingham Talks serves 900+ children and 21 childcare centers in our fourth year.
2024
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The organization introduces a new name, Small Magic, to honor our growth, our expanded vision, and deepening community impact.
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Birmingham Talks continues operations as the flagship initiative of Small Magic and is on track to serve over 1,200 children in our fifth year.