The Puzzle: Blog

With one hiring conference already in the books, we're happy to announce that the fourth-annual FORUM/Diversity will now take place over two days on January 26 and 27, 2018 in Philadelphia.

As we see  schools continuing to add roles for diversity and inclusion work, implementing faculty and staff training programs, and becoming increasingly conscious of diversity issues within their communities, we believe it's more important that ever to provide this opportunity to network, learn, and grow with others in the independent school world. FORUM/Diversity functions as both a hiring conference and a professional development event that strives to help those from marginalized groups and their allies find their dream jobs while joining together to work towards inclusion and action.

“We are excited to extend the event to two days,” says Kim Garner, Director of Conferences. “It was a natural evolution. We took feedback we received over the years and extended the timing. One day was not enough to devote to such an important topic.”

After talking a fair amount about what has taken place in our country and across the world over the past year, the team at CS&A decided the theme of this year's event will be Where Do We Go Now? Navigating Privilege, Equity, and Voice. “More and more, we all kept asking ‘Where do we go now? How can we be a part of the conversations that are being had in schools? How can we be a resource for educators? How can we be part of the solution?'” Kim shares. “Since we were wrestling with these questions, we figured others must be as well. This year's theme was born from authentic conversations and examining ourselves and the world around us.”

We are proud to share that Tim Wise, one of the most prominent anti-racist writers and educators in the United States, will be our keynote speaker. Tim has spent the past 25 years speaking at college and high school campuses, professional and academic conferences, and to community groups across the country. He has trained corporate, government, media, and other industry professionals on methods for dismantling racism, and provided anti-racism training to educators nationwide. The author of seven books, he appears regularly on CNN and MSNBC.

“Tim is someone many of us have admired for years. We felt as though having him serve as the keynote was a natural progression after having Dr. Cornel West as our keynote last year,” says Kim. “Tim speaks his truth. His truth might make some uncomfortable at times, but to make lasting change you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

To draw from our diversity mission statement, “We are committed to the importance of increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion–both within our own organization and among educational communities.”

Registration for active CS&A candidates and hiring schools is open. Not a current candidate with us? Apply today!

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