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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference 2021 The Power of the Collective Within the AIMS community, we have seen several groups of like-minded people of color come together to work in concert towards shared goals. These "collectives" amplify the work of the group while also serving as a source of strength for the members. There is much to be learned from the stories of how these groups have coalesced, and how they serve both the members within and without. April 22, 2021 April 23, 2021 Evening Welcome and Keynote Morning Breakouts 6:30-7:40pm – The Power of the Collective Part One: 9:15-10:15am – Breakout Block #1 (Caring for Self Series) The Wells Collective 10:15-10:30am – Break 7:40-8:30pm – Roundtable Discussions by Affinity 10:30-11:15am – Breakout Block #2 11:15am-12:15pm – Breakout Block #3 12:15-12:45pm – Lunch 12:45-1:45pm – Breakout Block #4 1:45-3:00pm – The Power of the Collective Part Two: The Straight A's and Closing Remarks Evening Keynote: The Wells Collective Jenifer Moore, Dr. Lana Bates, and Akailah Jenkins McIntyre, all from The Wells Collective, will be interviewed in panel format regarding how their collective formed and how that has shaped their experiences as educators, and as Black women working in indpendent schools. The Wells Collective is a collaborative of Diversity Practitioners specializing in Professional Development, Consulting, and Educational Coaching in the areas of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice. Afternoon Keynote: The Straight A's In a bi-monthly podcast, four independent school leaders, Abe Wehmiller, Amani Reed, Art Hall and Andre’ Withers, discuss a range of topics within the independent school landscape. They host educational influencers, practitioners, parents (current and prospective), students, and advocates. The podcast is ripe with professional acumen but mixed with a laid-back and humorous feel. It's informal but substantive, fun yet poignant, and while not directly about any single one of our schools, it is meant to include the very real experiences gained while holding leadership roles within the independent school world. In this keynote, The Straight A's will discuss the role that being a part of this collaborative experience has played in their lives. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference 2021 The Power of the Collective Breakout Block #1 (Choose One) You Can't Pour From an Empty Cup: The Necessity of Self-Care for People of Color Stephanie Tellis, St. Andrew's Episcopal School Over the past year, we have had to survive and navigate so many different events and things on a global, national, and local level, that it's hard to keep track. It is crucial during times like these, that we, as people of color, pause and ensure we are attending to ourselves through self-care. Please join us during this time as we press pause and take some much needed time to care for ourselves. Caring for Self As A Diversity Practitioner Dr. Tiffany Bridgewater, Louisville Collegiate School As the role of the diversity practitioner reemerges in the age of political extremism and COVID-19, independent schools are expanding these roles, which in turn means greater opportunities for fatigue for diversity practitioners. How do diversity practitioners do the work, care for and remain fully invested in their school communities, while also caring for self as a practitioner? Healing from Whiteness As A White Antiracist Julia Metzger-Traber and Rebecca Mintz This will be a processing and practice space for uprooting toxic whiteness from within our bodies and minds. It is for folks conditioned as white working toward racial justice. Somatic and mindfulness practices will be a tool for transformation as we surface the ways we harm ourselves and others with our ingrained white supremacy culture. We practice in service of healing for ourselves, opening to our aliveness, lessening harmful impact on our BIPOC kin, and being more rooted and whole to show up for racial justice over the long haul. Breakout Block #2 (Choose One) Mindful Healing for Diversity Professionals Martha L. Wharton, Ph.D., Mercy High School Given the charge to be catalysts for transformational change, diversity professionals need time to rest, re-charge, and balance work, play, and personal reflection. This session will focus on mindful, motivational, and authentic self-care for diversity professionals. Books, Music and Other Resources for Teaching DEI--A Sharing Roundtable Lucia Hassell, Holton Arms School We'll use the collaborative sharing tool, Padlet, to create a library of what new forms of media--not just what's tried and true-- we're all using to teach diversity, equity and inclusion topics in our classrooms. What books have really helped? What music are you using? Are there TED Talks that you would love to share? Participants will leave with the shared library of resources. Centering DEI in Institutional Research and Data Analysis: The Value of a Critical Lens Rachel Gorsky, Gilman School In this workshop, we will discuss how data can help us to identify harmful patterns and behaviors within our schools—patterns that disproportionately harm marginalized students and employees. Together, we will discuss the building blocks for promoting DEI-centered data literacy and identify some early-stage projects that you can get started on. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference 2021 The Power of the Collective Breakout Block #3 (Choose One) The Psychology of Racial Trauma and What To Do About It Dr. Holly Hinderlie, Holton Arms School Racial trauma is a real phenomenon. In this climate, BIPOC professionals must be ready to manage it. This workshop will address how racial trauma and fatigue impact BIPOC mental health, interpersonal relationships and how we engage at work. We will explore the science behind the way racial trauma and fatigue imbed themselves in our physical, psychological and emotional selves and the roadmap this provides for healing. This presentation will help BIPOC participants learn to manage the stress and strong emotions that result from negative racial experiences. Participants will leave with an understanding of how to develop a racism recovery plan and strategies for resistance against future traumatic stressors. Running the (R.A.C.E.)2: Engaging White Colleagues in DEI Work to Transform an Independent School Kalea Selmon and Victor Shin, Maryvale Preparatory School For years, the diversity work was too limited in scope and practice causing traumatic experiences for many People of Color in the community. As the two sole Administrators of Color, we were left with the question, “How do we engage our white colleagues in DEI work?” Using the (R.A.C.E.)2 framework, we have established a multi-tiered approach to keeping the DEI initiative developing at our school. Participants will be exposed to strategies and possible pitfalls to shift school culture through the engagement of white colleagues. Developing and Implementing A Bias Incident Response Protocol David Miller and Kellee Webb, The Gunston School Come to this presentation to learn how the Gunston School developed and implemented a strategy for systematically addressing bias incidents at school. We will then have time to discuss how to implement (or improve) the protocol for use in your schools. Breakout Block #2 (Choose One) _____ History Month: Useful, Performative or Both? Samantha Fletcher and Loyola Rankin, Harvard Graduate School of Education When it comes to engaging with cultural or heritage months, teachers can feel uncertain about what to do as well as when and how to do it. In this session, led by leaders who identify as African American and as Native American, we will explore ways to be intentional about being inclusive in ways that make sense. Managing Your Mistakes in Relation to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging Jen Cort, Jen Cort Consulting and Tianna Butler, National Presbyterian School The fear of making mistakes is one of the most frequently given reasons for not engaging in equity, diversity, inclusion, justice and belonging conversations. Learning is messy, and we will all make mistakes. In this session, we will focus on navigating your mistakes for learning. Preparing for College/University: The Bridge from an EDIJ Lens Tawanda Carson Owens Ph.D., Roland Park Country School Preparing for College/University: The Bridge from an EDIJ lens: Dr. Tawanda Owens shares lessons from her years of university-level EDIJ experience with us so that we can best prepare all of our students for their next educational environments. What type of student programming might they want to seek out? What type of organizations and marketing might they want to be wary of? What can they do if negative identity groups (such as white supremacist youth groups) begin marketing on their university campus? What support might be available to our wide range of independent-school graduates and what outside resources can provide assistance? How can our students find environments that embrace their multifaceted identities and encourage a respect for all? Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference 2021 The Wells Collective Panel Speaker Biographies Dr. Lana Asuncion-Bates is an experienced and enthusiastic cultural proficiency and diversity practitioner, consultant, and advocate with over 20 years of experience in the field of education. She is a proud graduate of Hampton University where she majored in Psychology. Dr. Asuncion- Bates furthered her studies at The College of William and Mary where she received her Masters and Education Specialist degree in School Psychology, and finally, completed her education in D School Psychology with a double major in Multicultural Education and Special Education from the University of Virginia. Dr. Asuncion-Bates has used her array of skills including counseling, data analysis, research, assessment and policy creation and implementation to help educational institutions better serve marginalized student populations.

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