Downtown Denver, this December 4th-7th, was the place to be! Over 6,000 educators and more than 1,000 student ambassadors flooded the Colorado Convention Center and a nearby venue for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference (PoCC). Search Associates Brian Lettinga and Arnelle Grundhoefer felt privileged to be a part of it.
The conference brought together educators, leaders, and change-makers from across the independent school sector to discuss equity, justice, and the future of education. Thousands attended workshops and sessions focusing on the theme “Meeting the Moment: Anchoring and Enriching our Education Futures.” Five passionate, influential General Session speakers took the event to another level.
On Thursday morning, Sekou Andrews, one of the most successful and inspirational spoken word poets in the world, mesmerized the audience. The schoolteacher-turned-entrepreneur “blends storytelling, thought leadership, spoken word, theater, and comedy, humanizes content, making it entertaining, moving, and memorable,” says the conference program.
Thursday evening, Dr. Suzanne Barakat, a practicing physician, humanitarian, and prominent advocate for inclusion and social justice took the stage. She has worked with top U.S. officials to create the White House Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and serves as board chair of Our Three Winners Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to combating Islamophobia and promoting social justice.
Friday morning’s keynote was delivered by Kenji Yoshino, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at New York University School of Law and Director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Kenji, who specializes in constitutional law, anti-discrimination law, and law and literature, is well published in major academic journals and the author of four books. The latest, published in 2024, is Say the Right Thing: How to Talk About Identity, Diversity, and Justice.
Friday, at midday, Karen Walrond, author, leadership consultant, speaker, and attorney inspired her audience. Her work focuses on helping individuals and organizations cultivate and practice value-focused, compassionate leadership. The conference program describes two of her books: “The Lightmaker’s Manifesto, beckons readers toward lives of integrity, advocacy, conviction, and joy. Her latest book, Radiant Rebellion, a 2024 Nautilus Book Awards Silver winner, investigates how to resist ageism, create powerful futures, and live a light-filled life along the way.”
Finally, Saturday midday, Ruha Benjamin took the podium. Professor Benjamin is an Alexander Stewart 1886 Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, Founding Director of the Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab, and author of the award-winning book Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code. One of her recent books, Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want, “offers a practical, principled approach to transforming our communities and helping us build a more just and joyful world,” says the event program.
At the Search Associates table in the Exhibitors Hall, Senior Associates Arnelle and Brian were very busy engaging in conversations, networking with industry professionals, handing out fliers and brochures and showcasing Search Associates’ commitment to diversity and inclusion in education. Upon her return, Arnelle said,
The conference was a vibrant gathering of educators, with teachers showing great interest in the information shared by exhibitors. The attendees were motivated and engaged, making it a rewarding experience. It was an excellent opportunity to connect with passionate educators and exchange valuable insights.
Brian added,
Great conference! Events like this are great opportunities to check in with current candidates and active member schools. You never know who you'll run into when connecting with organizations across the globe…I’d be happy to attend every year!”
