Creating Better Beginnings

Deidre Anderson-Barbee ’93 is a powerful voice in the quest to ensure all families have equitable access to high quality, affordable education and care for their children — from the very beginning. Her relentless advocacy efforts are making a difference and gaining prestigious acclaim.

For the last 11 years, Anderson-Barbee served as CEO of EarlystART in Kansas City, an early childhood education center dedicated in large part to ensuring school readiness of children from low-income families. She has been tireless in growing support for that cause and, most importantly, pushing community leaders and elected officials to take difference-making action.

“Change happens when you put just enough tension on the system,” said Anderson-Barbee. “I think I’m known for being able to have hard conversations in a way where I don’t make enemies and I don’t lose friends. At the same time, I’m also known as someone that’s pretty no nonsense. I’m pretty clear on what I’m about — I stand for children.”

Indeed, she has moved the needle in changing the educational fortunes of preschool children. During her time at EarlystART, for example, 90 percent of students were kindergarten ready, and more than 90 percent met or exceeded benchmarks in cognitive skills.

Champion of Change

In recognition of her work as a champion for children, the NFL honored Anderson-Barbee as the Kansas City Chiefs recipient of the 2023 Inspire Change Changemaker Award  — a tribute that included a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to her nonprofit organization and two tickets to the Super Bowl. In presenting the honor, the Chiefs lauded Anderson-Barbee for “creating a culture change in the Kansas City community on the importance of early childhood education.”

Anderson-Barbee says her greatest success at EarlystART was professionalizing the classroom — creating a structure similar to the K-12 system. As part of that effort, her organization raised funds that allowed teachers to return to school and attain their credentials, while also making it possible to attract higher-caliber teaching talent.

“Your zip code should not be a determinant of your future life outcome,” said Anderson-Barbee. “And we know that in some communities where the risk factors are greater, we need to provide even greater resources. Instead of having the least-credentialed talent [in the classroom], I believe we should have the best.”

In addition to her recognition from the Chiefs, Anderson-Barbee received the Missouri Lieutenant Governor’s Women of Achievement Award in March — an honor trumpeting the diverse accomplishments of Missouri women. Her role on the Governor’s Office “Zero to Three Committee” helped support the creation of the Office of Childhood for the state of Missouri.

It’s all part of a 30-year career devoted to helping others, including 10 years as the director of At-Risk Programs and Grants for the Hickman Mills School District in Kansas City. In that role, she managed all federal programs, discretionary grants and private funding for the district, while also chairing a collaboration of 12 school districts that provided input regarding public education needs. 

Simpson Set the Stage

Her formative years at Simpson played a significant role in shaping her life journey. Following a long family legacy of Simpson students that included her mom, uncle and sister, Anderson-Barbee came to Simpson as a George Washington Carver Scholar.

“There was a lot going on in the world when I was at Simpson, similar to now. I was pretty active in trying to help with outreach to recruit minority students. I remember thinking ‘are you really going to make the experience for black students better? Or are we just going to recruit black students and get some numbers?’”

Processing those questions and becoming more actively engaged in issues at Simpson, Anderson-Barbee discovered her gifts and abilities to be a difference maker.

“I didn’t know then what I’m continuing to learn and fully cultivate, which is that I have a voice that people listen to and if I can use it for its greatest good… that’s what it’s all about.”

Unwavering in her commitment to affect change, Anderson-Barbee continues to move forward with great hope and confidence, grounded in the enduring value of a liberal arts education she received at Simpson.

“It prepares you for life and problem solving. You end up in classrooms with people studying something different from you, from a different background. We have to continue to support institutions like Simpson, because who I am today has a lot to do with that college experience. Hopefully I have done the institution proud while doing meaningful work.”

More Work to Do

A fresh chapter in Anderson-Barbee’s meaningful work has begun. Having poured her heart into leading EarlystART, she is embracing a new challenge in early childhood education advocacy.

In January 2024, she launched Starting Early as its founding executive director. Her focus will center on building the capacity of the early childhood workforce while advocating to secure expanded educational access and equity. Her goal is to train and credential 50 early childhood educators each year while also pursuing public and private investment that creates better pay for those educators.

“If we can equip the next generation of early childhood professionals to feel prepared and supported, and we can rightfully compensate at a rate that is commensurate with the wonderful life-transforming work that they do — then I can say I’ve actually done something.”