Washington, D.C. — Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, released the following statement on the passing of Rasheed Malik, senior director of Early Childhood Policy at CAP:
The loss of Rasheed Malik is a loss for all Americans. A pioneering researcher; tireless advocate for children; and caring colleague, mentor, and friend, he embodied the best of the Center for American Progress. His groundbreaking research exposed the dire state of America’s early childhood landscape—finding that a majority of Americans live in child care deserts—and continues to be widely cited by academics, policymakers, early childhood advocates, and the media. Rasheed’s indispensable work was also a predicate for landmark progressive legislation to build an equitable and affordable early learning ecosystem in the United States and played a crucial role in helping early educators and the American people navigate a once-in-a-century pandemic.
On behalf of the entire Center for American Progress community, our hearts break for Rasheed and his family, friends, and colleagues, whom he loved so dearly. May his memory be a blessing to all those who had the fortune to know Rasheed, and may his legacy inspire our country to recommit itself to creating an early learning system that our youngest, and those who care for them, deserve.
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Colin Seeberger at [email protected].