April ’24: A Student’s Perspective
April A. ’24 talks with Co-Director of DEI Marisol Perez and shares about her experience as a student representative at NAIS/POCC (National Association of Independent Schools/People of Color Conference, December 2022, San Antonio, TX). Listen to April discuss how it opened her eyes to better understand her own personal experience, reinforced by the shared experiences of her Latinx peers across independent schools, and how it informs the DEI work she strives to do at Sequoyah and in the larger community.
She also discusses her excitement about DEI Day and the work that went into shaping, planning, and presenting this special conference. (See below.)
DEI Day - March 2023
The Equity Alliance (pictured left) and student speakers planned and presented DEI Day 2023, “Reimagining Communities.” Sessions presented were student-led based on inquiry and interest from peers and included learning spaces and hands-on workshops on the following topics:
Action through the Artistic Lens
Talking Circles for Restorative Justice
How to Stand Up and Disrupt
The Need for Allyship
Visualizing and Reimagining Power at Sequoyah
Role Playing Tough Conversations
From Calling Out to Calling In
Mixed Thoughts About Race From a Mixed-Race Person
Our Interaction with the Master Narrative
Understanding Race and Its Consequences
Gender Dynamics in Classroom Discussions
Rethinking Social Identities
Ancient Texts Aren't Very Feminist
Reclaiming Culture Through Art: The Prominence of Asian Fetishization
“I really enjoyed the way that each workshop seemed to be structured differently, and the fact that they were led by students showed the dedication to DEI within the student body. The potluck also felt community-oriented and created a sense of unity and good food. The Gryphon Ensemble performance was a great start to the day!”
