Event: North Carolina Association of Independent Schools Administrators of Color Conference (NCAIS AOC Conference)
Date: Thursday, October 8 and Friday, October 9, 2024
Kicks of Choice: size? x Air Max 180 “Dusk”
Thoughts captured on Saturday, October 10, 2024
What’s good y’all!
So in the crazinesss and hecticness of life, I almost forgot to post this event! And I wanted to make sure I got it up, because it was an exciting time!
I got a text from a friend with no greeting, but the following message: “This has YOUR name written ALL over it!” I clicked on the link and saw that the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) was having a conference, and the theme was “A Leadership Journey as Told by Hip Hop Around the World.” Not only that, this conference was being held in Winston-Salem, NC – where I have tons of family! I reached out to NCAIS and after a few meetings, they invited me to give the opening keynote address.
This conference was particularly inspiring because it put me in the room with a bunch of great independent school teachers and administrators who were all on the same page with figuring out innovative ways to help students and their school communities at large. So I was excited to engage with folks. First, I gave the keynote on thinking about how Sample Science pedagogy could be a way that administrators could make inroads with their students, and bring their full Hip Hop selves to the work they do on campuses. Right afterwards, I led a workshop that entails thinking about equity practices and inclusion work from the perspective of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake Hip Hop battle. Using the lens of the battle, we were able to think through how Hip Hop not only creates insightful social and cultural commentary, but how that commentary can be used to tap into student goals and action items that can move the needle on campuses.
Both sessions were received well and afterwards, I attended a few sessions. I told myself “as soon as there’s a lull in one of these sessions, I’ll take a break and go back to the hotel…” I can tell you there was NO LULL and I wound up staying for every session at the entire conference! A lot of what’s happening in independent school spaces is quite similar to aspects of college environments, so much of the overlap rang true and was helpful. As well, I found myself transported back to my independent school days as a Learning Specialist at the Haverford School. Although that was twenty years ago, it brought back a series of powerful names and fostered some great connections for moving forward. It really was an exciting and informative two-day conference that I was thankful to be a part of. And all conference goers got a chance to leave with a copy of “K for the Way” in their conference goodie bags!
After the conference, I stayed in Winston-Salem an extra day, just to spend a little bit of time with family. So it was a great moment all around. I’m always thankful to meet new people to add to my network, but also new folks to help me think about how I’m approaching the work I do with young people.
Extra big shout out to Dr. Ayesha Swinton for curating such a powerful event. As well, shouts to Meaghan Hilleboe, Stephanie Keaney and Bonnie Meyer for the invitation and all the hospitality while I was in Winston-Salem. NCAIS is doing great work and I hope to reconnect with them in the future!
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