Reflections From NAIS People of Color Conference

Members of our Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) task force attended the National Association of Independent School's People of Color Conference (NAIS PoCC), which is the flagship of the NAIS' commitment to equity and justice in teaching, learning, and organizational development. The mission of the conference was to provide a safe space for leadership, professional development, and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools. The conference included seminars, a master class, and more than 100 workshops on diverse topics relevant to people of color in independent schools. It aimed to equip educators with new skills, including the knowledge and experiences to improve the interracial, interethnic, and intercultural climate in schools, which will have a positive impact on the academic, social-emotional, and workplace performance outcomes for students and adults alike.

It is important that we as a community learn to recognize the systems that produce inequity so that we have the opportunity to address these challenges and continue to create a more equitable and inclusive environment at Providence, both in the classroom for our students and outside of the classroom for our faculty and staff. The insightful perspectives and resources from NAIS PoCC are invaluable and can help us to do better in many facets of our school community.

—Ryan Cadiz Administrative Assistant The NAIS People of Color Conference was a great experience that provided us with so many resources and education on dismantling structures that implement and support inequality. The content was engaging and personally inspiring to myself as a person of color. This conference has truly equipped us with tools that will allow us to better serve our school community and society.

—Shanica Dale Personal Counselor

NAIS PoCC was an incredible opportunity for independent school educators, staff, and students. It provided us with important resources, dialogue, and challenged many to have difficult conversations facing the world and in our schools today. I am thankful to have attended and hope Providence High School continues to attend the NAIS People of Color Conference for many years to come.

—Allyssa Moscotte Director of Marketing & Communications The virtual NAIS PoCC was incredibly insightful and fulfilling. There were lots of meaningful talks that truly resonate with today’s climate. My favorite panel was about what we educators must do when it comes to convincing others, especially board members, to support social justice and racial equity actions. It made me reflect that Providence and its community is not typical, we are truly setting the bar and pushing past boundaries to create the standard. I’m proud to be a Pioneer!

—Juan Lopez Interim Director, Tech Focus Program

As a member of the ESJ Leadership team, attending the People of Color Conference was an invaluable experience where I had the opportunity to examine and discuss the challenging topics of race, equity, polarization, & minimization in the workplace and within our educational system. I would encourage everyone to attend this powerful event.

—Marisa Bradfield

Department Chair, Performing Arts The NAIS People of Color Conference continues to be an invaluable source of learning, inspiration, and relationships for me as an educator and Head of School. It is critical that we recognize and dismantle the structures and systems that reproduce racial inequity and division so that we might create new ways of producing inclusive and equitable communities. At Providence, this means fulfilling our mission to be "expressions of God's healing love" in direct response to the national wound that is racial injustice.

—Scott McLarty Head of School