2017 CAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference

On Sunday, April 23rd, twenty-five(!) Hopkins students​,​ faculty members, a​nd​ ​parent​s​ attended the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools' Student Diversity Leadership Conference​ (CAIS SDLC)​. ​This is a regional version of the NAIS national SDLC.​​

The theme of this year's conference was "Change Matters, You Matter" and our Hopkins group ​contributed to the 600+ participants that traveled to Loomis Chaffee for a full ​day discussion.

The morning began with an exceptionally talented student band, followed by a student spoken word poet. The keynote speaker, Dr. Howard Stevenson​, shared his wealth of experience and knowledge about racial literacy and how to engage meaningfully in conversation around race and race conflict.

​Participants ate lunch outside to enjoy the beautiful weather before engaging in 2-hour workshops to discuss privilege, inclusion, and social identity.

Six students served as student facilitators, supporting the Middle School and ​101/​first time participants' breakout sessions. ​

The conference closed with ​a sharing from each breakout session and performances, including our very own Lizabeth Bamgboye '20 delivering a spoken word performance that received a standing ovation! Watch Lizabeth's performance in the attached video. What a successful day ​of diversity and social justice work.

​Students who are interested in participating in the national ​SDLC next December in Anaheim, CA should be on the lookout for an email from Ms. Friedman.

Class of 2018
Emily Calderone
Grace El-Fishawy
Lionel Louis
Drew Mindell, Student Facilitator
Charlie Paraiso
Unique Parker
Katrina Tiktinsky

Class of 2019
Michael Christie, Student Facilitator
Jamie Donovan
Melody Parker, Student Facilitator
Lauren Seto
Madeleine Walker, Student Facilitator

Class of 2020
Lizabeth Bamgboye, Student Performer
Elena Brennan, Student Facilitator
Lilly DeLise
Maddie Kombo
Julianna Lukacs
Khelan Parikh, Student Facilitator

Class of 2022
Lara Jasaitis

Adults
Amanda Friedman
Lizeth Lopez
James Gette
Ian Guthrie
Maria Gonzalez-Soto
Gabrielle Guise