Meet Gina Suggs of Kids Center for Academic Resources and Education (Kids C.A.R.E.) in Southwest Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Suggs.

Gina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Two years ago I was a young, Black, Corporate American statistic, working for companies that sat me behind a desk and drained my creative spirit until they finally laid me off. I was lost, and searching for my purpose. I realized that the things important to me should play a part in my career. Then it hit me, making a difference in the lives of children in OUR community can not only be my passion, but it can be my purpose. This year marks the one year anniversary of my school, @kidscareatlanta ‘s opening. I have spent the past year formulating a curriculum rooted in excellence and tailored to address every student’s individual goals. Along with an individualized based curriculum, Kids Care also offers Spanish, Sign Language, African Studies and Art. I am happy to say that I can provide an affordable learning environment for students in K3-5th grade to my community.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being the youngest African American Private School owner in the Atlanta area has definitely been a challenge. Many people believe that young adults lack strength in professionalism, punctuality or even drive. Though I do not fall short in ANY of these areas, this judgment has been placed on many times. I never shy away from proving people wrong. Every day I make a conscious effort to show not only people that judge me because I may be younger than them, but also people who look up to me, that age does not negate maturity, professionalism, punctuality or drive. Age is a number. We are all more than that.

COVID 19 was also a huge challenge for Kids C.A.R.E. We were only a month over our one year opening anniversary when COVID took the country by storm. Like other small business owners, we were blindsided by this hit to our school and business. We were forced to close our doors at the end of March with no clue when we would be able to reopen. With little assistance from our government, I had to make a way for my business to reopen. This meant that I needed to find students to attend. I hit the pavement and passed out flyers, bought social media ads and even personally stood outside my school holding an “open” sign. With help from my friends and family we were able to reopen for summer enrichment. I am so happy to say, we are enrolling for the 2020/2021 school year!

Kids Center for Academic Resources and Education (Kids C.A.R.E.) – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Kids C.A.R.E. is a Black Owned, private institute servicing students from K3 through 5th grade. The purpose of Kids C.A.R.E. is to provide safe and affordable educational support for families unable to able to obtain cultural, developmental and educational support within our community. Our goal is to strengthen comprehensive learning objectives by providing innovative learning resources and academic support. Children and families will be provided with cultural appropriate learning styles that will allow them to be compatible with curricula from all communities, not just their own! Each child is taught Sign Language, Spanish, Bible, African American Studies and Art along with the basic subjects (Math, Science, Language Arts, History).

Kids C.A.R.E. is known for our intimate classroom setting (student-teacher ratio of 10:1). Our intimate setting allows for students to create a connection with their teacher. Our staff is trained to create an individualized learning experience for each child. We do understand that though children may be in the same grade level, they do have individual learning styles. We make sure that each child receives their own personal experience with learning.
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Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My biggest support comes from my family and friends. My Mother and Sister have been there for me every step of the way. We have been able to bounce ideas off of each other and create a team-environment. They let me know that any obstacle can be resolved. My deceased father was an entrepreneur and taught me that no one can take, make or break something YOU create. Seeing him be his own boss, made me into one. My mentor Dr. Mary Watson is an exceptional educator and has helped me to understand the role of a director. My staff has become my family and support me each and every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: kidscareatlanta.com
• Phone: 6789742922
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @kidscareatlanta (business page) @danggggina (personal page)
• Facebook: @kidscareatlanta

Image Credit:
@itsthedigitalage

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