Child First Authority (Child First) is a left-of-center nonprofit organization that partners with schools in Baltimore City and neighboring counties to provide after-school and summer programs. ¹ It advocates for schools to create policies that utilize the critical race theory concept of racial equity and the identity politics concept of intersectionality so that success is not “influenced” by ability or identity.  ²

Since 1997, Child First has received just under $500,000 a year in funding from the state of Maryland due to a grant program approved by then-Governor Parris Glendening (D) that has since been renewed annually. ^{3 4}

Background

Child First Authority is a nonprofit organization that was founded in Baltimore in 1996 under the name Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD). It provides after-school and summer programs in Baltimore City. ¹

As of November 2024, Child First has programs at eight schools in Baltimore City and four additional schools outside Baltimore. It also reports having 1,100 students that participate in its programs out of the 3,400 students to whom it is made available. ¹

Equity Initiatives

Child First Authority advocates the critical race theory concept of racial equity and incorporating the identity politics concept of intersectionality when implementing equity initiatives. It advocates for schools and society to ensure that an individual’s racial identity, learning ability, language ability, and economic status do not impact their success. ²

Under Child First’s equity initiative, it expects its programs to seek potential examples of racism or oppression and highlight them in its lessons and programming. It also trains its employees using critical race theory to “undo” anything it claims to be an outcome of racism. Child First’s equity engages in hiring, employment retention, and organizational partnership practices that are contingent on their alignment with its equity initiatives. ²

Programs

Child First employs staff that work at its partner schools as well as “outside” individuals to run the programs. It also requires parents of participating children to volunteer at least two hours a month. ¹

Child First’s after-school programs are three hours a day, including one hour of academic programming and one hour of what it categorizes as “cultural enrichment.” Remaining time is used for sports and recreational activities. ¹

Funding

In 2024, Child First Authority reports that its $3 million in funding comes from over 221 partner organizations. ⁵

Child First reports that in 1997, Governor Parris Glendening (D-MD) granted $500,000 in annual funding for Child First. ³ In 2024 and 2025, Maryland’s budget designates $476,748 in program funding for Child First. ⁴

Leadership

In April 2024, Ojeda Hall was named the executive director of Child First Authority. Previously, she served as the president of the One Love Foundation. She has also worked for Leadership for Educational Equity and the New York City Department of Education. ⁶

Financials

In 2022, Child First Authority reported receiving $3.1 million in total revenue, including $901,192 in government grants. ⁷ It also reported $3.4 million in total expenses, including $2.4 million in salaries and compensation of employees.⁸

1.  “About Us.” Child First Authority. Accessed November 10, 2024. https://childfirstauthority.org/about/.
2. “CFA Equity Statement .” child first authority. Accessed November 10, 2024. https://childfirstauthority.org/about/cfa-equity-statement/.
3. Shorter, Staphon, and Chalise Latimer. “25 Years of Support and Success.” Child First Authority. Accessed November 10, 2024. https://childfirstauthority.org/.
4. “Operating Budget Summary.” Maryland General Assembly. Accessed September 10, 2024. https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/Pubs/BudgetFiscal/2025fy-budget-docs-operating-N00I00-DHS-Family-Investment.pdf.
5. “Impact.” child first authority. Accessed November 10, 2024. https://childfirstauthority.org/about/impact/.
6. “Welcoming Our New Executive Director, Ojeda Hall.” Child First Authority. Accessed November 10, 2024. https://childfirstauthority.org/welcoming-our-new-executive-director-ojeda-hall/.
7. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Child First Authority Inc. 2022. Part VIII, Lines 1e-1h.
8. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Child First Authority Inc. 2022. Part I, Lines 15-18.