LREI Diversity Blog

20 Year NAIS PoCC Quilt

They are giants, my elders. Their words transform and refuel me. This summer, while working passionately throughout a weekend in July on the Call-to-Action committee, one of my PoCC and NYC elders reminded me to fill my well. I returned to NYC ready to do just that. As we enter into the second day of our conference, I am ever present of my well. If you see me, let me know if your well needs refilling. I am currently overflowing!

My Quilt Square

A dedication to my children, Sophia Rose and Andrei Tomas

I walk down the long, long, very long halls of the convention center and greet people I have known for many years. These friendly and familiar faces belong to the educators I have meet over the past 19 years. I ask for the Bendicion (a blessing from God) from my elders in the Latina/o Affinity group, kiss and hug the folks I haven’t seen since PoCC in Boston, Seattle, or Dallas, and then take a moment to look around for more of my friends.

Instead, I am struck by the sea of new faces at this year’s conference. There is that momentary pause as I think, “Do I know this smile? Have I heard this voice? Do I know this person?” I meet and greet the people with the “1st Year” tags on and I am reminded of my first conference so many years ago. The people who approached me and welcomed me into their conversations, circles, after dinner trips around an unfamiliar city, are some of my closest friends and esteemed colleagues.

To all you 1st years, Thank You. Thank you for painting the canvas with your smile and enriching our experiences with your presence.

To my PoCC “Mamas y Papas,” gracias. Your shoulders have carried me along for 19 years and I am ready to take on my share of the load while I care for and welcome the next generation of educators.

Can you tell how much Sir Sidney inspired me?

Sir Sidney speaks the truth
for who will prepare the way
for those here
for those coming
Sir Sidney speaks the truth
about a good education
which should be the
BIRTHRIGHT
of every child.
Sir Sidney speaks the truth
a child’s instincts bordering on genius
21 years of education
and snapshots along the way
Sir Sidney speaks the truth
about the need for the proceeding generations to try their best to
SECURE
that the children now and the next generation
are well educated and prepared
to be the
CITIZENS
who can take care of themselves.
Sir Sidney speaks the truth
the reservoir of hope
bit by bit one learns
bit by bit one pays
Sir Sidney speaks the truth
about the boy he was
the journey he made
and the man he is.
Thank you Sir Sidney Poitier
for speaking the truth.
I will honor your words by
speaking the truth.

We have all heard of, and some of us have personally experienced, sexism and sexists on construction/demolition sites.  I participated in the Habitat for Humanity project at Musician’s Village with four other women. My experience was NOT your stereotypic work environment. It did not take long for us to feel that we were important members of Brian’s team. Our skills, knowledge, and strength were as equally valued as the men’s. I learned to appreciate the beauty of my work from Dominic (see picture below) and the importance of precision and accuracy from Megan. Shout-out to Brian and Habitat for Humanity for creating such a humane workspace for us.

Painting room one

Painting room two

Working on kitchen molding

LUNCH!!

My mentor, Dominic.

I arrived in New Orleans Tuesday afternoon, eager to settle into my room and strategize about my week. When I showed some friends last night how I structured my day, they laughed. It was all in good spirits. These are friends who know I rely on order and structure (and that’s putting it mildly), and they appreciate me for it!

As educators, many of us are accustomed to planning our day and having it spread out in front of us. We even get used to odd times like 10:50 and 2:05. I remember how crazed I was during my first PoCC in Philadelphia trying to make sense of my day. This momentary chaos was not because the program wasn’t clear, but because I was moving around the hotel and/or convention center getting to affinity groups, workshops, speakers, book signings, networking room, lunch, dinner, and chaperone duties.

Below is my tip for newcomers and the organizationally challenged. Make a list in a notebook with the following headings and then fill it in as you browse through the program.

Day                Event                Location

Following one planner made it easy for me to tell friends where to meet me for social times and allowed me to see when and where I was supposed to and wanted to be.

There are so many thought provoking workshops and speakers this year that now I only wish I could be in three places at once!

My name is Sandra K. Chapman, but many of you know me, or will come to know me, as Chap. I am the Director of Diversity and Community at LREI, a 14 year institution located in the heart of Greenwich Village in New York City. I have worked in three different Independent Schools in NYC over the past 19 years, but have found my new home here at LREI, where I have been for 6 years.

I am very excited, and honored, to present the 2008 People of Color Conference through my personal lense. My main goals are to capture the beauty and essence of the conference while also sharing the colorful aspects of the Crescent City of NOLA! Our theme for the conference: Music for Life, Food for Thought, and Friendships that Sustain: Rebuilding and Preserving the Essence of People of Color in Independent Schools comes at a time in my life when I am in search of good music, good food, and good people. My search began this summer when I traveled to NOLA in July as part of Call-to-Action. I met the most heart felt and dedicated team of educators who lifted my spirits every time I walked into the meeting room. I ate foods I have never tasted, like gumbo (and I do not like okra), rabbit (and I only eat chicken and turkey), and beignet (though I was trying to watch my figure - HA). I walked around the French Market and up and down Bourbon Street - pulled in every direction by the sounds of lively music, soulful rhythms, and dancing feet - usually my own!

I have no doubt that the 2008 PoCC will rock your world, ignite your spirit, and move you to rebuild and preserve. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences and perspective with you.

What exactly is a beignet?

Pronounced ben–YAY, this most delicious and tasty deep-fried dough sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar is a sort of French dough-nut. With a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, good company, and a chat about your latest PoCC workshop, you are set for one of the best experiences NOLA & PoCC have to offer. Don’t forget to visit the French Quarter when you are done.