Administrators of Color in Independent Schools

Thursday, October 22–Saturday, October 24

We can’t wait for the 9th Annual Administrators of Color in Independent Schools Conference this Fall. The conference provides opportunities for connection, mentoring, and sharing between senior administrators of color working in independent schools from around the country.

Based on positive feedback from last year’s conference, we will continue to run the conference through Saturday. The conference will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 22 and end at 12 p.m. on Saturday, October 24. 
 
Please contact prupani@fwparker.org with questions.

Agenda - #ACISCFWP

Thursday, October 22
  • 5 p.m. | Registration
  • 5:30 p.m. | Opening
  • 6 p.m. | Keynote Speaker: Tre Johnson
  • 7:30 p.m. | Dinner Sponsored by Stratégenius
  Friday, October 23  
  • 8 a.m. | Breakfast
  • Visit to the Obama Presidential Center (timing TBA)
  • Conference Session (timing dependent on visit)
  • 3:30 p.m. | Closing Reception Sponsored by The Glasgow Group
Saturday October 24
  • 9:30 a.m. | Brunch and Conversation Sponsored by Joy-Raising
  • 10 a.m. | Dr. Gholdy Muhammad in conversation with Tesha McCord Poe
  • 11:30 a.m. | Closing

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Gholdy Muhammad is the John Corbally Endowed Professor of Literacy, Language, and Culture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has previously served as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, school district administrator, curriculum director, and school board president. She studies Black historical excellence in education, intending to reframe curriculum and instruction today. Dr. Muhammad’s scholarship has appeared in leading academic journals and books. She has also received numerous national awards and is the author of the best-selling books Cultivating Genius and Unearthing Joy. She also co-authored the book Black Girls’ Literacies. Her Culturally and Historically Responsive Education Model has been adopted across thousands of U.S. schools and districts across Canada. In 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, she was named among the top 1% of Edu-Scholar Public Influencers for her impact on policy and practice. She has led a federal grant with the United States Department of Education to study culturally and historically responsive literacy in STEM classrooms. In the fall of 2026, her first curriculum, entitled Genius and Joy, will be available to schools and educators. More on Dr. Muhammad is available here.
Tre Johnson is the author of Black Genius: Essays On An American Legacy Tre Johnson. In addition to writing, Tre was a former educator, who began working both inside and outside in the classroom as a teacher and eventually as a leader in the sector. More about Johnson is available here.

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Registration is closed.
This year’s event is at capacity.
330 West Webster Avenue | Chicago, Illinois 60614 | 773.353.3000
Francis W. Parker School educates students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse democratic society and global community.