Within the St.Paul Academy and Summit School community, diversity is addressed within affinity groups and a few larger class discussions.  However, without new faces and perspectives, conversations can become stale. To combat this, several students and teachers get the opportunity to attend the Student Diversity Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

According to their website, the SDLC is a “multiracial, multicultural gathering of upper school student leaders (grades nine – 12) from across the U.S. SDLC focuses on self-reflecting, forming allies, and building community.”

Last year, the conference was held in Tampa, Florida, and senior Meley Akpa attended. “The best part of the conference last year were the affinity groups. In my multicultural affinity group, it was nice to be with people with the same experiences as you,” Akpa said. “The dance on the last night is also fun because you get to see other people and just let loose,” she said.

“To those going this year- meet lots of cool people and talk about things that matter right off the bat. Be willing to share because nobody will judge,” Akpa said.

Boarding a plane on Dec. 7, the students and chaperones anticipate the educational event.

Upper School History Teachers Ryan Oto and Ben Bollinger Danielson will be attending the SDLC.

“I am most looking forward to be with colleagues and talking in a concentrated way about equity and diversity,” Bollinger Danielson said.

“I’m really excited to go back again. The affinity groups are great because there are a bunch of other people who look like me. Like, ‘you are also half something.’ It’s a powerful thing, and re energizing professionally,” Oto said.