Diversity Leadership Conference Held on Campus By Steven Choi ’10. On Sunday, April 6, 2008, Choate hosted over 350 students and faculty members from more than twenty schools. Mr. Colin Lord, part of the Admissions Office and of the CAIS (Connecticut Association of Independent Schools) Commission on Diversity in Independent Schools, welcomed the conference to Choate. Lasting six hours, from 10AM to 4PM, the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, in its 6th year, provided separate programs for returning high school students, new high school students, middle school students, and faculty members from numerous independent schools around the state. Twenty-one students and three faculty members represented Choate at this conference.
A portion of the Commission on Diversity’s Mission Statement states, “The CAIS Commission on Diversity in Independent Schools exists to inspire a wide spectrum of individuals in the effort to make our school communities rich in the experience of human differences.”
“We wanted to come together and have discussions about different types of diversity issues,” said Mr. Lord, who was involved in the whole planning stage. “It wasn’t just about racial diversity, but about how we manage the big racial differences on all of our campuses. We wanted to give students information and strategies to bring back to their own schools.” Shakina Hawthorne ’10, who attended the conference, said that the conference was “an interesting experience because it brought together students from different schools into one place because of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and nationality. It helped to show that although all of us are different in many ways, those differences help make us similar.”
The day began at 10AM in the PMAC with registration and breakfast. It was followed by welcome remarks made by Mr. Shanahan in the Recital Hall. The most significant aspects of this six-hour long program were the guest speakers at this event. The three speakers, all minorities, lead inspirational lives. The first, who gave the Keynote Performance, Jimmy Locust, is a professional dancer, choreographer, actor, and teacher. He has, in the past, danced with famous stars such as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Paula Abdul. His achievements include work on the Grammys, MTV Video Music Awards, Academy Awards, the 1996 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, and the George Lopez Show. Many of an African American background, he provided inspiration for all the students who attended the conference. A world renowned choreographer, Locust started a company called ‘No Hate But Harmony.’ It’s goal is to decrease bullying in schools through student-acted skits based on real-life scenarios. Shakina Hawthorne ’10, referring to Mr. Locust, stated, “They taught us to stop watching and letting these things happen to kids, and to finally step up to these bullies.”
The second speaker at the conference was Kurtis Lamkin, currently touring the country with a collection of praise poems. The poems he composes praise the spiritual connection among human beings, which he had experienced as a participant in the Million Man March. He has performed his poems and music internationally. The third guest speaker was Jerry Craft, who worked in advertising for numerous years as well as cartooning. His comics such as “Mama’s Boyz” have been featured in the New York Daily News, “Chicken Soup for the African-American Woman’s Soul” and the college textbook, “Facing Difference, Race, Gender and Mass Media.” Hawthorne ’10 stated, “The conference was very significant because the speakers conveyed an essential message.
In the closing remarks actually made by the students themselves, several students gave their feedback on what they had learned from the conference. They said to speak up and voice your opinion but most importantly to also listen to what others say. Overall, the conference was a success for all the schools that participated. Mr. Lord was impressed, saying, “The program is getting bigger and better every year. Our school is getting better with the issue of diversity. Hopefully students will feel empowered and continue holding on to the lessons taught at the conference.”
