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Scholarship | Diversity | Citizenship

Leaders of the Women's Affinity Group, one of ten affinity/alliance groups for Upper School students this school year, planned a fun field trip to see Hella Feminist—"celebrating the lesser-known stories of feminism"—at the Oakland Museum recently. Learn more about Family and Student Affinity Groups here.

Advancing our Goals

In The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging by Charles Vogl, community is defined as “a group of people who share mutual concern for one another's welfare.” He goes on to say that communities help us as individuals to better understand and move through this beautifully complex world.

Well before the pandemic began and the institutional introspection set off by the @BlackatHRS movement, we had partnered with the National Equity Project (NEP) to advance our mission in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. With their support, our professional community developed a shared language and understanding of equity, followed by a systems-mapping exercise that informed next steps in our institutional work.

As a result, we adopted a “3 A’s” approach to guide our collective learning: Alone, In Affinity and Across Difference. The work of building a more equitable and liberating community for all members takes commitment at both an individual and institutional level and begins with acknowledging our individual responsibility to expand our understanding in order to move towards conversation in racial affinity.

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Building Community

Highlights from HRS Attendees
NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC) and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC)

Iyobosa E. '23, Student

For me, the most impactful parts of SDLC were my family group and the Black affinity space. Being in environments that were made for BIPOC students, at such a large scale, was surreal and unlike anything I experience in my day to day. At SDLC, I could truly be myself—surrounded by thousands of people who share a common understanding of my identities and ambitions. I believe that's what all students take away from SDLC and what makes it such a life-changing experience.

Roz Fleury, Administrator

Wow! 7800 people and I forgot my tissue. This was my first in-person PoCC experience. I had no idea that so many people are doing this work for our students. I feel so blessed to have gone, and I hope my presence contributed to the team. I enjoyed connecting with PC members from our school, seeing old friends and meeting new people who are not in the classroom daily but are still part of the process / experience. This experience has taught me that I am not alone in this work. I have to take care of myself so the students know they have another person to reach out to.

Alma Leppla, Teacher

My favorite part of PoCC is the affinity spaces. The first time I went to PoCC with a different school, the affinity spaces really sparked something in me. Part of the draw for me to Head-Royce is the affinity groups. I have never been in a queer Latinx space and when I participate in a space like that—it fills my cup! I also got to spend time with my Head-Royce colleagues who I don’t regularly see on campus. I was able to connect with my co-workers in a way that made me feel more connected at school. I’ve been in other schools where I’m a minority in terms of race and it has been jarring to return. It was encouraging to see so many administrators attend, too.

Frederick Douglas once said ‘If there is no struggle, there is no progress.’ We take to heart his observation and acknowledge the work of an anti-racist institution is unending and essential. As a learning community committed to equity and inclusion, we are actively leaning into the opportunities to become more knowledgeable and gain more clarity on our diversity and equity work.

IN LOWER SCHOOL

The Lower School continues to engage in professional development work with Tamisha Williams, a DEI consultant and facilitator. In their most recent work they talked about joy and how necessary it is as part of our equity and belonging work. They also held a deep discussion on “class”—how privilege shows up in our students’ lives and the ways in which we can elevate conversations such that all students feel seen, heard, celebrated and understood.

IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

A new tradition has emerged this year during Middle School assemblies. We’ve made time in the schedule for students to share the traditions and celebrations their families cherish. This novel approach to broadening perspectives centers students’ voices, identities and experiences in a way that invites empathy and peer support.

To date, we've had students from every

grade level share their heritages. From the Dominican Republic to Ecuador...from Sukkot to Diwali, students have shown photos, shared foods and described their different holiday celebrations and family traditions.

In addition, the Middle School assemblies (like the one pictured below) now include student-led mini lessons as well. With topics such as the unsung heroes of the Civil Rights movement, students are inspired to share their learnings and tie them to personal experiences and/or national holidays.

Future plans for this work—which include student-led mini-lessons in advisories as well as a bulletin board collage—help create a feeling of belonging in the community and create a better sense of empathy and understanding of the rich and varied traditions our community shares.

IN UPPER SCHOOL

A Head-Royce education teaches kids to be curious and to look outside themselves. With that in mind, the Upper School is launching a new program this month called Intersession. Empathy and curiosity are at the heart of so much we do at HRS, and many of the workshops our teachers chose to offer during this exciting new program reflect a student body genuinely interested in empathy and connection and in exploring a world beyond the cozy boundaries of Lincoln Avenue. Our varied offerings (which include Gross Anatomy, Cryptocurrency...Blockchain and Decentralization and Textile Art) give students an opportunity to do deeply investigate common interests and passions with peers across the division.

Our Alumni Focus

On a brisk evening at the end of November, Head-Royce produced its own starry night: a special webinar with three notable alumni, Dan Wu '92, Cameron Johnson '03 and Krista Marie Yu '06.

Last at HRS earning graduation credentials, these distinguished guests rejoined us with new credits to their names including film and television acting, writing, producing and directing.

The gathering, to foment a discussion about the representation of diversity and intersectionality in Hollywood, brought these three industry insiders together with parents, students and other distinguished guests. Moderated by esteemed alumna, entertainment writer, editor and culture critic, Olivia Truffaut-Wong '09, and beloved Upper School Drama and English teacher, Andy Spear, the lively—and at times very personal—conversation offered an intimate look behind the silver screen, at an industry driven by consumer culture and a nascent appetite for multidimensional characterization.

“When was the first time you saw yourself represented on screen?” Truffaut-Wong asked the panel. Research suggests that seeing yourself by identifying with a person or character—whether by looks, background or belief—is important, and shows that role models can be influential and aspirational. They help us strive to become who we want to be and to overcome obstacles.

2022-23 DEI Team

Seeking: Dean of Equity and Community

We are currently searching for a Dean of Equity and Community, a leadership position, who will partner closely with the Head of School, the senior leadership team, the divisional DEIB leaders and the Board to build frameworks, systems, processes and programs that will springboard Head-Royce into a leadership position within the national conversation around DEIB. This person will lead with intention and integrity and act as the community's compass on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Read more.

Naoko Akiyama

Interim Director of Equity and Inclusion

Brianna Drum

Equity and Inclusion Coordinator

Barry Turner

Lower School Dean of Equity and Inclusion

Hilary Bond

Middle School Dean of Equity and Inclusion

Ayesha Numan

Upper School Dean of Equity and Inclusion

headroyce.org