The seventh annual Mid-Atlantic Region Diversity Conference (MARD) was held at Perkiomen School on November 3rd, 2018 with the theme of “Hear Me, See Me.” The conference was organized by the faculty and students of Abington Friends, Friends Select, and Perkiomen Schools.

Over 400 participants from 33 schools in the Greater Philadelphia area participated in the conference. Rodney Glasgow, Head of Middle School and Chief Diversity Officer at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, was the featured keynote speaker at MARD.

In 2013, Abington Friends School and Perkiomen School partnered up to create MARD in order to promote diversity and inclusivity. The purpose was to provide students with a space where appreciation for diversity and exchange of ideas can take place. MARD was created by a group of students from Abington Friends School who felt an urge to share their work with the outside community. Similarly, students from the Perkiomen School wanted to create a safe space for dialogues to take place about issues such as racism, anti-semitism and more.

Toni Graves Williamson, Director of Equity and Inclusion at Friends Select School, calls this conference “a place where kids go to find other people to talk to about their identities, and how they can become their true selves.” When asked why it is important to go to diversity conferences, even if they have not previously participated, she said, “[MARD] is another opportunity for students to attend a diversity conference and to explore pieces of their own identity.”

This year’s event started off with Glasgow’s speech, which was followed by a silent movement led by him. Students from all three schools created and led workshops on topics ranging from reclaiming one’s cultural identity to Black women’s representation in the media.

In an interview with Jim Miller, Upper School Dean of Students, when asked about why he believes that MARD is an important event, he responded “It’s always important for students to learn how to have sincere, productive conversations about equity and inclusion, but in today’s society, it’s even more imperative to learn how to connect to and understand each other with open hearts and open minds.” Friends Select School has been consistent in organizing events in diversity and inclusion and in inviting all of the Upper School students to attend.  

Nyeema Caldwell ‘20, who participated in the conference as a facilitator, said “MARD was a phenomenal experience for me, personally. I was a facilitator, and I went to better myself in that area. I was able to learn and improve on my skills in guiding conversations and leading discussions. I met many interesting people, and I was given the opportunity to listen to them and learn from them.” Most of the activities students partook in were conversation based, and discussions were categorized based on a wide range of topics including race, ethnicity and  socioeconomic status, to name a few. While at the conference, students had to follow a set of community norms, which included assuming good intent, displaying mutual respect, and stepping out of one’s comfort zone. When difficult subjects arose (as they often did), students had to be mindful of these norms to create the safest and most inclusive space for discussion.

In a conversation with Nyasia Arrington ‘20, she stated that her “experience at MARD was amazing. The situations we discussed were very eye-opening, and I love how everyone in the group that I facilitated was very engaging. I attended the conference because I want to work more with diversity, since I’m not in Diversity club anymore. Things I would bring back to Friends Select from the conference would definitely be the ‘advanced spectrum [activity]’ of the conference because that is a very woke experiment and everyone at Friends Select needs to recognize these situations. I wouldn’t change a thing about the conference.” The MARD conference is made for students to engage in meaningful conversation. The discussions that take place serve great purpose because they raise awareness regarding major issues facing diversity and inclusion.

When asked what the participating students would bring back to their school community to ensure the spirit of the conference lives on and impacts the students who did not attend, Nyeema said, “A lot of what I experienced at the conference, in workshops, home groups, and affinity groups, can help me when it comes to Diversity Day. I can bring back the activities and structure of the conference to help the parts of the day run smoother. I can also bring back conversations that we need to have here at FSS as a whole or just in the clubs I am involved with.” Each year, Friends Select Upper School students, in collaboration with Diversity Club, come together to create a day purely devoted to diversity and appreciating one another’s differences.

Although MARD is only a one-day experience, the learning that takes places is enough to last much longer.