News
Students, Faculty Learn about Diversity Leadership
Six from GPS connected with other students and faculty from across the US at a conference that highlighted issues of diversity.
Four GPS students and two faculty members attended the National Association of Independent Schools’ 29th annual People of Color Conference in Atlanta Dec. 8-10 and participated in the 23rd Student Diversity Leadership Conference. English teacher Amy Piper and Upper School Dean Sarah Jackson attended workshops at the PoCC conference, whose theme was “Advancing Human and Civil Rights – Fulfilling the Dream Together.”
Freshman Jadyn Matthews, senior Iman Ali, and juniors Blythe May and Meher Memon attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, whose theme was “Dreaming Out Loud: Waking Up to a New Era of Civil Rights” and participated in family groups composed of high schoolers and facilitators of different backgrounds who shared their stories.
NAIS connected the themes and the Atlanta location in recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King’s approach to injustice and social equality. “As collaboration is fundamental to innovation – and many of the human and civil rights challenges…are vexing and seemingly intractable – educational leaders at all levels need to work together to solve them,” said the NAIS.
The GPS contingent attended general sessions, affinity groups, and workshops led by independent school peers. Speakers included authors, non-profit leaders, and White House appointees. The opening ceremony featured Bryan Stevenson, the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and an acclaimed lawyer. His memoir, Just Mercy, is the story of a young lawyer fighting on the front lines of a country in thrall to extreme punishments and careless justice.
All of the girls identified Stevenson as the most influential speaker. “He spoke directly to the students in the room and said that our grades do not define our capacity to change the world; our faith, heart, and drive do. All in all, I left his speech feeling energized and inspired to make a positive difference in the world,” says Matthews. “I think the best way to share my experience (at the conference) is to talk and have dialogue about the topics that were discussed. I hope to have discussions about open mindedness, perspective, justice, and privilege.”
