The Pitch
A private, nonprofit childcare center that provides high quality of education to young children, ensures readiness for school for all children by using developmentally appropriate practices, and invests in the development of the whole child, through cooperation of the school, family, staff, and community.
Kristi Givens & Precious Acker
The Entrepreneur
Kristi Givens (Founder & Executive Director)
Kristi Givens serves is the Owner and Executive Director of Kids of Excellence Learning Center. At Kids of Excellence, we envision a world where every child has equal access to quality education; our mission is to provide the highest quality education to students in our community to prepare students for kindergarten and beyond. She provides executive leadership of all staff, training, coaching, strategic planning, and oversees daily operations for two centers. With over 17 years of experience, Kristi is an instrumental advocate in early childcare development community. Kristi holds a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of New Orleans and a Master’s and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work specializing in Children and Families from Southern University of New Orleans. She is also a Louisiana Pathways Child Care Development Trainer at the highest level, and is a Licensed Child Care Health Consultant. She also holds an Accreditation from the University of Queensland in Level 3 Primary Care Triple P working with Positive Parent Program and holds a National Administrator Credential and CDA PD Specialist for Council for Professional Recognition.
Precious Acker (Communications and Partnership Manager)
Precious Acker, Communications and Partnership Manager, is a Native New Orleanian with experience in education, nonprofit management, and community development. She has over 5 years experience in nonprofit management helping organizations plan, collaborate, and develop effective communication tools to establish creative ways to interact with the community. Precious holds a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies and Political Science from Agnes Scott College and Master of Arts in Cultural and Educational Policy Studies from Loyola University Chicago. Precious has a passion for social justice with an emphasis in youth development and mentoring, she has an eagerness to problem solve and make a difference in community by contributing to organization with new ideas.