For the first time in School history, Dwight-Englewood will have a Director of Multicultural Affairs. Clinton L. Carbon, long-time faculty member and Chairman of the Fine & Performing Arts Department, has been named to this exciting new role which was recently announced by Head of School Dr. Rodney V. De Jarnett.

In discussing this new role with an assembled group of D-E faculty, staff and Trustees recently, De Jarnett noted: “By taking on this new position, Clinton will have the time to dedicate and direct our important work to better understand and learn how to best benefit from the incredible diversity found here at Dwight-Englewood School.”

In his new role Carbon will work closely with the School’s Diversity Committee to improve cultural proficiency so that all may talk more openly about the many cultures that the School has, and to acknowledge and appreciate those cultures more overtly. Carbon will continue to teach his theatre classes and direct school performances. He will, however, be stepping down from his position as Arts Department Chair, which will now be transitioned into two separate areas led by faculty members and new Departmental Chairs Gregg Emery and John Littlefield.

Carbon commented: “At the heart of the word "Community" (in our Mission) is a respect for the individual and what they truly bring to the institution. The work of inclusion and equity is for all members of the community -- not just those who are traditionally thought of as members of under-represented minorities. The creation of this position is a step to recognize all that makes D-E diverse, i.e. race, religion, socio-economic status, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, and the many other differences that make us individuals." 

Carbon added, "We will continue to participate with the national conferences for students and faculty and hope to incorporate staff, parent, alumni and trustee voices in the mix of delegates as funds allow. These voices are important as they are the ones living this community each and every day. I see my role as one that will change as our needs on campus change.”

Carbon indicated that he will focus on three main categories: hiring and retaining faculty/staff of color, supporting the diversity of all students; creating an inclusive community that "celebrates and appreciates diversity"; educating the community about diversity through programming and professional development. He noted: “A primary goal I have is to keep inclusion, equity and justice for all as a part of our daily conversations on campus, so that all members of the community feel welcomed and free to contribute to the institution.”

Head of School Dr. Rodney V. De Jarnett noted: “At D-E, we are blessed with every form of diversity in our community and we state proudly in our Mission Statement that we will "embrace diversity." But having wonderful diversity and doing something with it are two different notions. I can think of no one better qualified or more passionate about this work than Clinton Carbon. He has served us extremely well for many years as the Chair of the Arts Department and I will personally miss him in that position. His life-long passion for his new work will, I hope, fulfill him as much as I know it fulfills us. I thank him for accepting the challenge of this new position.”

Clinton Carbon is a 1978 BFA magna cum laude honors graduate of Howard University in Drama with concentrations in acting and dance. He received an MA in Arts Administration from the University of Michigan. Carbon came to D-E from three years as a Theatre Arts Instructor at Howard University. He is an accomplished director, dancer, choreographer, and singer, with more than 200 productions to his credit, including most recently Guys & Dolls and The Laramie Project at D-E. After graduating from Howard, Carbon served as both Artistic and Program Director for the Howard University Childrens Theatre and the Playmakers Repertory Company.

In 34 years in the education profession, Carbon has held positions as teacher, department head and administrator in several independent schools. He has consistently advocated for the complete integration of the arts into classroom curriculum. Carbon has chaired the D-E Faculty/Staff Diversity Committee for several years and has coordinated the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. assemblies. He has served as a board officer and member for the Color Me Human Players of Washington, DC, and he is a recipient of the 2005 Children and Art Award from the All Seasons Theatre Company.

Carbon has also been instrumental in directing Dwight-Englewood School’s involvement in the NAIS Initiatives on Diversity, leading a group of students, faculty and staff to that organization’s annual People of Color and Student Diversity Leadership Conferences.