SDLC/PoCC inspires diversity dialogue in D-E community

11/30/2017

From November 30^th to December 2^nd was the annual People of Color Conference (PoCC) for faculty/staff and Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) for students presented by NAIS. Nearly 6,000 attendees came together in Anaheim, California to explore the theme: Voices for Equity and Justice Now and in Every Generation: Lead, Learn, Rededicate, and Deliver. More than a dozen of D-E students and faculty/staff joined the amazing experience and were empowered to improve and enhance the interracial, interethnic, and intercultural community for D-E.

SDLC attendee India Marseille '20 recalls the experience:

“After the opening meeting, the teachers and students split up. The 1,600 students were split up into family groups which contained anywhere from 35-50 students. For the two days of the conference, we spent 75% of our time with these family groups. In these groups, we discussed problems we had at school and how to handle them in serious and creative ways. These conversations caused us to build a bond with one another that is simply indescribable. The connection that I have with these other students can’t be broken by anything even the thousands of miles between some of us. The other 25% of our time was spent with an affinity group that we identified with. I attended the black affinity group both days. Being in a room with 600 other black students is something I had never gotten to experience before and it made me even more grateful for the opportunity to attend such an extraordinary conference. SDLC changed my life for the better. I left with so much self-love and appreciation for not only the people around me but also for myself. It’s a conference I would absolutely love to go back to and would recommend many out-going students to apply to.”

SDLC attendee Kenneth Yan ’19 shares his experience:

“SDLC (Student Diversity Leadership Conference) was a powerful and inspiring experience. Over 1600 students from independent schools around the country attended the conference, bringing with them a variety of stories and experiences that we shared with each other. I had the great experience of meeting people and listening to them share their stories. I bonded with other people over common experiences and reflected upon the great diversity of stories and beliefs that I came into contact with over the course of three days. The openness with which everyone was willing to share their stories was astounding; there was an aura of trust and understanding that was present in the room, and our discussions were thoughtful and passionate.

The conference has reaffirmed my faith our community to enact change. From SDLC, I have seen that with a supportive and open environment, honest and powerful discussion is more than possible. I have seen from the Asian Affinity group and my family group at SDLC the passion, strength, and intelligence that students bring to difficult discussions. I have seen people shed their ignorance, question their own opinions, learn and ask questions with great honesty.

It is my goal and my duty to better facilitate these discussions on the Dwight-Englewood campus. In the new year, I plan to reorganize and promote the newly founded Asian Affinity group for Dwight-Englewood students and to work with my peers, teachers, and school administration promote better student-faculty discussion and collaboration regarding diversity issues.”

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