Crayons to Careers: Workforce Development Begins in Childhood

In this engaging keynote, Dr. Latitia McCane challenges audiences to look beyond conventional workforce strategies and ask where workforce development truly begins. Through personal stories, practical insights, and thought-provoking discussion, she shows how childhood experiences shape the qualities employers value most: resilience, confidence, curiosity, communication, problem-solving, and purpose.

This session invites business leaders, educators, workforce professionals, and community partners to rethink their role in

preparing tomorrow's workforce. Rather than waiting until individuals enter high school, college, or the job market, Dr. McCane

makes the case for investing much earlier, when dreams are first formed and potential is first discovered.

The keynote concludes with one simple question that changes the conversation:

"Tell me about your childhood."

The answers reveal the experiences, people, and opportunities that shaped who we are, and remind us that every child deserves the chance to become tomorrow's employee, entrepreneur, leader, or innovator.

This keynote will leave audiences inspired to think differently, lead intentionally, and invest in the future long before the first job application is ever completed.