Highlights from the People of Color Conference 2021

This event is the “flagship of the National Association of Independent Schools' commitment to equity and justice in teaching, learning and organizational development. The mission of the conference is to provide a safe space for leadership, professional development and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools.” 

 

As a longtime PoCC attendee and facilitator, I am always eager for this opportunity to engage with my fellow DEI practitioners across the country and collaborate with those championing equity work within their schools. The conference is a gateway to connection, rejuvenation and new learning around best practices for excellent and equitable schools. 

 

This year, Chandler was honored to have six of our faculty and staff participate in PoCC. Our Chandler team included administration, teachers, and teaching assistants from both divisions. Over the course of three days, we had the chance to participate in dynamic and impactful workshops presented by practitioners throughout the nation, learn from keynote addresses from Soledad O’Brien, john a. powell, Liz Kleinrock, and Heather McGee and build community with fellow attendees. 

In sharing takeaways from the event, one of our teachers expressed how the conference inspired her to think deeply about identity, belonging, and our work as educators. She remarked, “it takes being a person who is willing to continue to work on themselves personally to teach our students how to do the same. Identity is key to this work.” She also reflected upon the idea that diversity and belonging will not necessarily go hand in hand unless we ensure they do. Lower School Director Emily Brown affirmed the importance of belonging in sharing her experience at this year’s PoCC. She stated, “the conference was a mix of personal reflection and professional connection, with an inspiring call-to-action and a reminder that all of us share in the collective responsibility of ensuring our community members experience a deep sense of belonging in our schools."

From my perspective, I exited the event with a quote from NAIS Vice President for Equity and Justice Caroline Blackwell at the forefront of my mind. She asserted, “the first step of change is not action, but understanding.” This statement serves as a welcome reminder that as we continue on our equity journey, understanding ourselves, our community and our goals for the future are integral in developing a DEI mission and vision we can all be committed to. I am grateful for the families, faculty and staff, and students who have shared their insights and helped me to gain a better understanding of our Chandler community as we move forward in creating action steps that promote equity and excellence at all levels of our school.

 

 

Hillary Blunt, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion