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Students and Teachers Attend Diversity Conferences
Eight NCS Upper School students and six faculty and staff attended the National Association of Independent Schools’ Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) and the People of Color Conference (POCC) in Indianapolis, Indiana, Dec. 4-6. These annual concurrent conferences, which draw participants from independent schools across the nation, address issues of equity and excellence.
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SDLC is an inclusive, multiracial, multicultural gathering of upper school student leaders (grades 9-12). SDLC focuses on self-reflection, the idea of being an ally, and community building. This year’s SDLC theme was “Leadership at the Wheel: Riding at the Speed of Acceptance. The NCS student delegation joined 1700 students from around the country in a variety of formats (speaker sessions, “family” groups, and self-identified affinity groups) to share their experiences of school life, hear from their peers, and strategize on how to grow as individuals as well as be leaders in diversity work at their schools.
Upon their return, NCS student participants said:
“SDLC felt like I came home. It was so normal yet so different.”
“It helped me to realize that when someone doesn’t feel alone, they feel like they matter.”
“It was overwhelming to be in the majority for the first time in my life.”
“The conference made me see the importance of taking risks and leaning into the moment because you don’t know when that moment will be taken away.”
NCS students attending included:
Ezekiella Carlos ‘15
Farah Emory-Muhammad ‘17
Alexandra Farje ‘16
Karis Felton ‘17
Haja Kamara ‘15
Bota Saudabayeva ‘18
Sierra Turner ‘18
Kenya Waugh ‘15
Farah Emory-Muhammad ‘17
Alexandra Farje ‘16
Karis Felton ‘17
Haja Kamara ‘15
Bota Saudabayeva ‘18
Sierra Turner ‘18
Kenya Waugh ‘15
We are proud of these students’ dedication to building inclusivity at our school. We are also grateful to NCS Counselor & Diversity Educator Wendy-Nia Griffin and Spanish Teacher Jennifer Kakuk for attending as chaperones.
While Mrs. Griffin served on the faculty of SDLC, the following NCS faculty and staff attended the POCC: Beverly Hill, Kelli Brevard, Kate Sheeler, Parita Moukdarath, and Jennifer Kakuk. The POCC is the flagship of the National Association of Independent Schools' commitment to equity and justice in teaching and learning. The mission of the conference is to provide a safe space for leadership and professional development and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools.
As our world continues to evolve and become more and more diverse and inclusive, we are grateful to have a community that continues to challenge one another to grow and strive to become a “home” to everyone.
As our world continues to evolve and become more and more diverse and inclusive, we are grateful to have a community that continues to challenge one another to grow and strive to become a “home” to everyone.
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NCS students at the SDLC.
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The student conference drew 1700 participants.
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