Students, Faculty Attend National Diversity Conference

A contingent from Belmont Hill traveled to Denver for the annual National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference (PoCC) and Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) in December.

The PoCC, themed "Meeting the Moment: Anchoring and Enriching Our Education Futures," brought together educators for professional development and networking. Concurrently, the SDLC, with the theme "Lifting As We Climb: Elevating Our Schools Through Love and Justice," engaged student leaders from independent schools across the country.

On the final day of the conferences, Belmont Hill's faculty, staff, and student participants convened to share insights and experiences from their respective programs. The conferences took place in Denver, CO, from December 4-7. More than 35 years after its founding, the annual NAIS People of Color Conference and Student Diversity Leadership Conference bring together 8,000 independent school adults and students. 

About POCC
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.

About SDLC
The NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference is a multiracial, multicultural gathering of student leaders from eligible independent high schools across the U.S. and abroad. 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.

Belmont Hill 2024 Attendees

Sebastian Colberg
Caleb Collins '93
Dan Duarte
Budom Ezeani '26
Stephen George
Grant Hanser '26
James Keefe '25
Ryan Li '28
Lawrence Lopez
Tony Maws '88
Chanel Nijmeh
Chris Zellner 
Alex Zhang '26

Photos by Faculty Member Dan Duarte