New Decade, New Destinies:
Challenging Self, Changing Systems, and Choosing Justice
November 30 – December 4, 2020
The NAIS People of Color Conference 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 space for leadership and professional development and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools. PoCC equips educators at every level, from teachers to trustees, with knowledge, skills, and experiences to improve and enhance the interracial, interethnic, and intercultural climate in their schools, as well as the attending academic, social-emotional, and workplace performance outcomes for students and adults alike.
This year we were honored to have two of our staff members, Danielle Holman, Director of Admissions, and James Bravo, Assistant Director of Fellow Success and 9th Grade Program Manager, present at the virtual conference. Below they share their thoughts and experience from the conference.
James Bravo:
Danielle and I were fortunate to present at this year’s People of Color Conference on a topic that runs dear to us within admissions and providing access called “Removing Barriers & Building Trust with Families from Diverse Backgrounds: An Admissions Lens.” We chose to speak on this topic because we both have an admissions background with our work at the TEAK Fellowship and we both believe in sharing the wealth with other like-minded programs and schools across the United States. We also knew that it will open up doors to continue the conversation beyond the conference which should be an ongoing discussion to help our students of color gain access to a great and equitable education. As far as the conference overall, this was my first time participating and it was such a great experience. What particularly stood out for me were the affinity group spaces that were offered throughout the conference days, which for me I identified with the Latinx Affinity group. It was great to be in a space where we could talk about our background in education with the impact of identifying as Latinx has on our personal and professional journey.
Danielle Holman:
Presenting at the National Association of Independent School’s People of Color Conference (POCC) was a highlight for me this year. James and I had the opportunity to share our best practices and approach to the big questions that inform our work. How do we support diverse families through the admissions process? What does it mean to be accessible and inclusive? How can we become more aware of our blind spots? The turnout at our session suggested that we weren’t the only ones with these questions! It was a great opportunity to connect with like-minded peers all over the country and introduce TEAK to schools and organizations outside of New York City. I’m grateful to James for being a great co-presenter and all of our TEAK colleagues who support us.
My favorite part of the conference was the Social Justice Summit in which activists and advocates, including Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Jose Vilson, Kyathi Joshi, and Randall Dunn, shared their thoughts with the NAIS Community. The summit ended with a powerful keynote by Lezley McSpadden-Head, Chief Executive of the Michael O.D. Brown Foundation and mother of Michael Brown Jr. I was moved by their reflections and invigorated by their calls to action. As a Black woman professional, I find incredible value in engaging with a network of peers who affirm my identities and inspire me with their commitments to equity and justice. POCC was a powerful and rejuvenating experience, and I hope that TEAK continues to have a presence at the conference for years to come!
Learn more about the NAIS People of Color Conference.