Upper School students represented Moravian Academy at the virtual NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) on December 1 - December 4, 2020.
I have accompanied students to SDLC countless times since 1970, with the same result. Students gather with their peers from across the country to engage in conversations around community, equity and justice, helping them develop leadership skills and action plans to bring back to their respective schools. The mission of the conference is "to provide a safe space for leadership, professional development, and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools," according to NAIS.
This year, Bianca Matos '22, Ava Noel '24, Anjali Shankar '23, Favor Ufondu '22, Katy Shnier '22, and Nora Ronan '22 represented Moravian Academy.
"My experience at SDLC is one that I will never forget," says Nora Ronan '22. "I was educated on different ways to be an action-oriented practitioner; I came out of SDLC ready to start doing the work to combat hate and racism directed at minority groups. Going forward, I believe education is going to be key in combating racism not only in our school community but on a national level. Knowledge is power."
Anjali Shankar '23 expressed a similar sentiment. "I am very excited to share my experience and the knowledge I have gained back to Moravian Academy," she says. SDLC is about exploring one's identity, which we have done through a variety of different activities. I greatly appreciate the fact that the conference is largely discussion-based, as we can connect with new people and hear the similarities and differences in their experiences and encounters with diversity. It made me proud of my Indian heritage and allowed me to meet many amazing people who will lead the future generation in causing a change in our society."
We are proud of our students for engaging in this important work to continue our progress as an inclusive and equitable community.
According to NAIS:
The NAIS Online Student Diversity Leadership Conference is a multiracial, multicultural gathering of upper school student leaders (grades 9-12) from across the U.S. and abroad. SDLC focuses on self-reflecting, forming allies, and building community. Led by a diverse team of trained adult and peer facilitators, participating students develop cross-cultural communication skills, design effective strategies for social justice practice through dialogue and the arts, and learn the foundations of allyship and networking principles. In addition to large group sessions, SDLC "family groups" and "home groups" allow for dialogue and sharing in smaller units.