NAIS Diversity Conference in Atlanta

Last week, fourteen members of the St. Luke’s community went to Atlanta, Georgia for the annual National Association of Independent School’s People of Color Conference/Student Diversity Leadership Conference (PoCC/SDLC). The 2016 PoCC/SDLC had nearly 5,200 participants—the greatest number of attendees in its 29 year history. The theme of this year’s conference was to help advance human and civil rights together.

Students participated in three days of developing effective strategies for social justice and networking skills. Kelly McKenna ‘17 says, “We need to acknowledge our privilege and others oppression and use our status to help spread the message of change. The time for unity is now.” MS History Department Chair Chris Phelps shared, “I learned how to be an advocate in the moment and respond.” Upper School Music Director, Dale Griffa, and I also represented St. Luke’s as part of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Commission on Diversity in Independent Schools (CODIS) and presented at a session.

 

St. Luke’s participants included: Matthew Lindsay ‘17, Kelly McKenna ‘17, Alexis Dupree ‘18, Lucia Wiggers ‘18, Shaka Moales ‘18, Juliette Finely ‘19, Head of School Mark Davis, Director of Inclusive Excellence and Leadership Dr. Stephanie Bramlett, US Music Chair Dale Griffa, MS World Language Chair Amber Berry, MS History Chair Chris Phelps, Health and Wellness Coordinator Camille Demarco-Havens, Assistant Dean of StudentsNoel Thomas, and Director of Safety & Security Troy Haynie.  

SAVE THE DATE!  The Social Justice Leadership Summit is Saturday, January 28 and is open to all students in grades 9-12. Space is limited. Register here.