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Ongoing Conversations
– Cristian Pereira ’21 Editor-in-Chief, Focus Magazine
(above) Excerpts from the September 2020 issue of Focus magazine
This excerpt from Cristian’s Letter from the Editor was printed in the September 2020 issue of Focus magazine. Next to the letter is a hand-drawn portrait of George Floyd, the
Black man whose death while in police custody sparked a summer of renewed calls for racial equality and justice in America. At the end of the magazine, next to Cristian’s closing letter, is a portrait of Ahmaud Arbery, who was fatally shot while jogging.
In the wake of these and other tragic deaths, people across the country protested for change. In cities and neighborhoods and at businesses and universities, this summer led to intense introspection and reexamination. Difficult questions needed honest answers. Serious problems needed actionable solutions.
In Dallas, members of the St. Mark’s community watched the national dialogue unfold and began asking their own difficult questions. Community, inclusion, and diversity have been important topics of conversation on campus for years, but the events of 2020 highlighted the urgency for progress in this area. Some of the discussion was sparked by student voices. For the first time, The ReMarker staff published a standalone issue of its Focus magazine. The first two weeks of 2020-2021 school occurred virtually, and yet the journalism staff assembled its largest magazine to date in an effort to provide the School community with as many stories and voices as possible. The cover of the magazine quotes George Floyd’s last words: “I can’t breathe.”
“The purpose of this magazine is not to tell the community how to think — it’s to start a discussion on the issues that pertain to this movement,” said Cristian Pereira. “When they read this magazine, people will be exposed to many different perspectives outside their comfort zone, and some of those perspectives may challenge their beliefs. If this magazine gets people thinking, even just a little bit more, it will have been worth it.”
The magazine covered the Black Lives Matter protests and Juneteenth celebrations in Dallas, profiled Lee Smith ’65, the first African-American student admitted to St. Mark’s, and gathered reflections from all corners of the St. Mark’s
community. One alumnus highlighted was Emmanuel Acho ’08, who garnered national attention for his web series Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man. Throughout the summer, Emmanuel sat down with guests including Matthew McConaughey, Roger Goodell, and Chip and Joanna Gaines, for a frank and open dialogue about race in America.
“In order to stand with us, and people that look like me, you have to be educated on issues that pertain to me, and fully educated so you can feel the full level of pain,” Emmanuel said. “I navigate America as a visitor, whereas for white people, it’s home.”
Across the country, alumni reflected on their own time at St. Mark’s and encouraged the School to take a hard look at how race and identity are handled. More than 600 community members signed a letter to the School’s administration, including a nod to Acho’s video series: “These kinds of ‘uncomfortable conversations’ must
happen before we leave campus, not after. Part of turning boys into good, well-rounded men who exhibit courage and honor is fostering the ability to recognize racial injustice, even when it has become part of the status quo, and role modeling a commitment to equality and anti-racism at the institutional level.”
Next Steps
Addressing inclusion and diversity has been an ongoing area of work for St. Mark’s. In 2017, the latest iteration of the School’s strategic plan, Goals for St. Mark’s IV, specifically called out the need to “assemble the most qualified student body from a broadly diverse pool of applicants.” As a result, St. Mark’s has worked to engage with students across the greater Dallas area, increase awareness in underrepresented communities, and grow financial aid to ensure every qualified boy can attend.
While progress continues to be made on many fronts, the events of the summer of 2020 brought these issues into the spotlight. To better understand the experiences of every Marksman and what could be done to improve the overall St. Mark’s experience, the School formed a Committee on Community, Inclusion, and Diversity.
"St. Mark’s is a special community that will support students in embracing their authentic selves. I’m incredibly excited about the opportunities ahead to support the boys, my colleagues, and our families in ways that will make those experiences even better.” —Lorre Allen, Director of Inclusion, Diversity, and Human Resources
This committee grew out of extensive conversations in recent months and is reflective
of a clear commitment from the Board of
Trustees, the administration, and the faculty and staff to strengthen and enhance the bonds our community shares. Made up of faculty members, administrators, Trustees, alumni, and parents, this Committee will review, evaluate, and assess current programs and activities across campus that support the School’s commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive community for every boy. The Committee will engage more with the community in the months and years ahead and will provide a comprehensive update on its
progress soon.
Furthermore, in an effort to bring greater alignment, coordination, and intentionality to the School’s inclusion and diversity priorities, a new senior administrative position was established. After more than three years as a member of the St. Mark’s family, Lorre Allen has been appointed to serve as Director of Inclusion, Diversity, and Human Resources. Lorre joined St. Mark’s in 2017 as Director of Human Resources to support and strengthen employment policies, training, and practices across the School, bringing more than 15 years of professional expertise from her work in higher education and the corporate world, most recently at the University of Washington and Boeing. In addition to her robust responsibilities to St. Mark’s employees, Lorre has also embraced her frequent interactions and work with the boys, supporting the Dallas Area Diversity Youth Organization on campus and attending the annual NAIS People of Color Conference.
“It has been a pleasure to work with the boys and to hear them openly share their personal experiences with each other,” said Mrs. Allen. “St. Mark’s is a special community that will support students in embracing their authentic selves. I’m incredibly excited about the opportunities ahead to support the boys, my colleagues, and our families in ways that will make those experiences even better.”
Working alongside and in close partnership with other senior administrators, Lorre will guide best practices on campus for both students and employees, while also communicating the importance of these values across the School community. In addition to her work with student programs and professional development, Lorre will focus on expanding the School’s efforts to attract, retain, and support a broadly diverse faculty and contribute to the School’s ongoing commitment to foster an environment that is
respectful, inclusive, and welcoming for all students, families, and employees.
“As with any strategic priority, it is important to focus on deliberate, thoughtful, and comprehensive planning to ensure that meaningful, sustained, and impactful results are achieved now and into the future,” said David W. Dini, Eugene McDermott Headmaster. “These efforts require the collective commitment of individuals across the St. Mark’s community as we strive to strengthen and improve the experiences of every Marksman.”
(above) Lorre Allen leads a St. Mark's staff training
