Student Diversity Leadership Conference

During the first week of December, Potomac juniors Olee Banerjee, Sophia Ghafouri, Bethel Girma, Kate Motley, Manuela Prieto, and Pippa Westland participated in the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) along with their faculty leader, Julie Wong. This annual two-day conference brings together 1,800 high-school students from independent schools across the country and around the world to discuss issues related to diversity, equity, and social justice.

The students spent time in groups, developing cross-cultural communication skills, discussing strategies to promote social justice, and practiced allyship. In the process, they forged new friendships with peers from other schools. Even though this year’s conference was virtual, the experience was an intense and personal one, and the participants are eager to share what they learned with the Potomac community. 

Upon "returning" from SDLC, the group met with US Head Doug McLane to talk about their experience and offer ideas on how they can help make Potomac a more inclusive and equitable school. 

This year’s conference participants join the cohort of students from last year, who are now seniors – Destiny Attagba, Mina Bahadori, Hannah Gilliard, Anna Heller, BJ McNeil, and Andrea Villafuerte. Together, these students will provide programming for their peers and or Potomac faculty and staff this spring. SDLC participants have previously led affinity spaces, helped organize assemblies and special events, and presented at faculty meetings. This year’s conference alums are eager to do the same. Olee Banerjee shares, “We have ideas for programming for students, and a lot of those activities may be applicable to the faculty as well. There are some that may even be more impactful for faculty, as they have more life experiences to reflect on and a greater perspective. Most of our activities are likely to be centered around self-reflection, followed by discussion in small ‘family groups’ of 10 to 15 students. These small-group discussions could be followed by conversation in larger ‘neighborhood groups’”

Applications for the 2022 Student Diversity Leadership Conference will open up later this spring; current sophomores may apply to participate, and anyone who is interested is welcome. Olee says, “SDLC creates a safe space that allows for honest vulnerability and genuine conversations. If you don’t know where to start with your interest in DEI work or inclusivity and equity in general, SDLC is the perfect opportunity.”

Thanks go to Julie Wong, US math teacher, 11th grade dean, and A.S.I.A. club faculty advisor, and David Grant, director of student diversity recruitment and retention, for supporting our students throughout their SDLC journeys.