REshAPING TRADITIONS NOv 29 – DEC 1, 2007 BOSTON, MA PEOPLE OF COLOR CONFERENCE CONFERENCE STUDENT DIVERSITY LEADERshIP CONFERENCE PROGRAM www.nais.org/go/pocc WELCOME NAIS WELCOME The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) is honored to host the 0th People of Color Conference (PoCC) and the 14th Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) in Boston, Massachusetts. Coming to Boston for PoCC/SDLC is historically significant as NAIS originated at offices near Faneuil Hall on Tremont Street. The rich density of inde- pendent schools in and around Boston, many with historic commitments to and success in building and sustaining inclu- sive school communities, makes bringing the conferences to South Boston ideal, particularly as this part of the city under- goes revitalization while PoCC has undergone a redesign. The new approach to PoCC is actually a return to its original purpose, providing people of color in our schools a sanctuary and a “voice,” a means for support and networking, and a chance to celebrate their roles in independent schools. What does this re-direction mean and how will the program itself change? The differences in programming can be All PoCC functions will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) 415 SUMMER STREET, BOSTON, MA 02210 summarized in the following ways: All SDLC functions will be held at the Boston Convention and PoCC workshop themes will be more focused on providing Exhibition Center (BCEC) and the Westin Boston Waterfront. leadership and professional and personal development for people of color. contributions and work of independent school adults and students of color — are welcome and encouraged to attend. PoCC will include two additional sessions devoted to affinity group work. We are most grateful to the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE) and its executive director, PoCC and SDLC attendees will engage in two Steve Clem, for invaluable support in planning for PoCC/SDLC sessions — a new session in which adults and students and for serving as a sponsor of the conferences. We appreci- will be led in meaningful dialogue by racial/ethnic affinity ate the support of the Boston-area heads of school who have groups based on gender, and the original session in which representatives on the local committee. The Boston local students lead adults in conversation in regional groups. committee co-chairs and members have committed their PoCC will provide a curriculum for the White/European- time, energy, resources, and Boston pride to the success of American Affinity Group, including time to work on issues PoCC/SDLC, and we are grateful to them for their meritorious such as “What do we need to do as white allies? How do efforts on behalf of what we predict will be more than 3,000 we support people of color issues in our schools?” conference attendees. Anyone interested in the genesis of current thinking about Welcome to Boston! PoCC may read at www.nais.org/go/PoCC a summary of the PoCC Redesign Report based on a year-long study of the Gene Batiste Pat Bassett issues. It is vitally important to keep in mind that ALL indi- NAIS Vice President, NAIS President Leadership Education viduals who support the purpose of PoCC — to celebrate the and Diversity LOCAL COmmIttEE WELCOME SDLC CO-chAIR WELCOME The Local Planning Committee has been looking forward The Student Diversity Leadership Conference is in its 14th to this gathering for a long time... 0 years to be exact. New year. After a transformative gathering in Seattle, we are England has a rich tradition of academic excellence especially once again calling together student leaders from around the as it relates to independent schools. Massachusetts alone country to continue the work of equity and justice in our has more than 00 independent schools! It is also an area schools. Many of our students went back to their schools and that is making history: Deval L. Patrick, an independent school shared the skills and knowledge they gained at SDLC. The graduate, recently became the first person of color elected next phase of work will continue to take bold steps in our governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This curricula. In Boston, we will explore the unfinished business mirrors the experience of so many of us in independent of the civil rights legacy, taking a personal journey through schools — charting new courses and reshaping traditions. identity, using dialogue and the arts as means of expression, and we will continue to stretch ourselves as we encourage As we gather for what has become our yearly pilgrimage participants to reflect personally, act locally, and think globally. to PoCC — our sanctuary — we do so with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. We look back at the trailblazers We are honored to bring to the table a talented and seasoned who saw a need for a meeting like this 0 years ago, and faculty consisting of independent school alums, college we look ahead with promise as we work to create a space students who are SDLC alums, educators, and educational where people of color are affirmed, challenged, and empow- consultants. Conference participants will engage in impor- ered. This year’s conference has been redesigned to get back tant discussions, explore the possibilities of affinity grouping, to the core of the conference, for people of color by people and expand their networks of support, including meeting with of color. This is what our conference theme, “Learning from PoCC participants in regional groupings. Our returning confer- the Past, Leading for the Future: Reshaping Traditions” is all ence participants may have the opportunity to engage in about. We hope you come to Boston ready to make history. an advanced group called Diversity 01 or to serve as peer facilitators, taking a critical role in moving and shaping the For those of you staying near the Convention Center, you dialogue that happens on site. have the opportunity to experience the beautiful Boston Harbor, and for those of you staying in the Back Bay area, In Boston, we will affirm the commitment of NAIS and its you will be in the center of the city surrounded by world member schools to support student and diversity leadership. class dining, shopping, and cultural attractions. As we enter a new era of civil rights, the time is now for us to emerge from our past to shape our future! We sincerely welcome you to the 0th People of Color Conference. We hope that you are able to explore the wealth of cultural diversity Boston has to offer. Julian K. Braxton Eric Osorio Kisha Watts Liz Fernández Rodney Glasgow Director of Diversity Dean of Diversity Initiatives Admissions Coordinator Educational Director of Diversity & The Winsor School (MA) Noble and Greenough School (MA) Thayer Academy (MA) Consultant (NY) Community Relations Worcester Academy (MA) All participants are welcome to attend PoCC and SDLC. NAIS has an insti- tutional commitment to the principles of diversity. In that spirit, NAIS does not discriminate in violation of the law on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, age, physical challenge, nation of origin, gender, or any other characteristic. 3 PoCC Check In TUEsdaY, NOVEMBER 27, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM, BCEC North Lobby WednesdaY THUrsdaY FridaY SatUrdaY PoCC November 28 November 29 November 30 December 1 SDLC Chaperone Orientation III PoCC Choir Rehearsal (choose one) 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM, 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM, Grand Ballroom PoCC Check In BCEC Room 203 8:00 AM 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM, BCEC North Lobby Opening Ceremonies and Opening General Session with Tarun J. Tejpal Affinity Group Session IV (Adult/stu- Address with Frank Wu 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM, Grand Ballroom dent discussions within race/ethnicity 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM, Grand Ballroom and gender) 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM 9:00 AM School Visits 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Tejpal Book Signing & Networking Coffee Break 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM, Grand Ballroom Foyer Adult Leadership Seminar – Frank Wu Book Signing and Network- State and Regional Associations ing Coffee Break 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM, PoCC Choir Rehearsal and POCIS Meetings 10:00 AM Developing and Mentoring 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM, Grand Ballroom Leaders of Color Grand Ballroom Foyer 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM. See page 26 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Room 210A for locations. Affinity Group Session I Workshop Session B and Adult/Student Dialogues Cambridge Academia 11:00 AM (Welcome Home! Celebration) Featured Speakers Kip Fulbeck 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM. See page 26 Adventure Tour 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM and Wilma Mankiller for locations. 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM. See page 19-22 for locations. 12:00 pm Closing Ceremonies and Address Lunch (on your own) Lunch (on your own) with Maria Hinojosa, PoCC Choir, 12:15 PM – 1:45 PM 12:15 PM – 1:45 PM SDLC Report, Service Organization Recognition, 2008 Announcement 1:00 pm Boston Revealed Tour PoCC Choir Rehearsal PoCC Choir Rehearsal 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM, Grand Ballroom 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM, Grand Ballroom 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM, Room 157ABC Black Heritage Freedom Trail Tour 2:00 pm 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM Workshop Session A, Featured Affinity Group Session III Boston Revealed Tour Discerning Taste Speakers John Amaechi and Gish Jen, (Building Community, Welcome to My Discerning Taste Culinary Tour Culinary Tour and Special Interest Group – Veterans House – Cross-Cultural Dialogue) 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM of Color in Independent Schools 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM 3:00 pm 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM, See pages 15-18 for locations.