DA senior DJ H. and DA junior Austen W. were proud representatives of Denver Academy at the recent 2023 National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Student Diversity Leadership Conference in St. Louis, Mo. There were more than 2,000 student leaders from independent high schools from across the U.S. and abroad. The NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) is a multiracial, multicultural gathering of student leaders from eligible independent high schools across the U.S. and abroad. This year's theme was Bending the Arc Toward Justice: Radical Optimism, Transformational Joy, Resilience, and Brilliance.

 

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. 

DA Counselor Azenay Tell and DA Director of Information Technology Anthony Slaughter attended the  People of Color Conference (PoCC) that was happening at the same time as the SDLC. The NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC) is the flagship of the National Association of Independent Schools' commitment to equity and justice in teaching, learning, and organizational development. 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. There were more than  6,000 participants in PoCC this year. See highlights of the conference here.