Building Upon Character-Building

More than 130 young, self-identified men of color from 17 area independent schools—and one from Minnesota—recently joined together at Parker for a character-building event led by Dwight Vidale from Riverdale School in New York, along with more than 30 volunteer facilitators and actor, author, activist and father Hill Harper as keynote speaker.

Parker’s second annual Cullen J. Davis Young Men of Color Symposium leadership conference provided participants with a time and space to explore their multiple identities while learning skills geared towards self-advocacy and community building. Through a combination of lectures and small-group activities, participants learned more about the importance and process of being architects of their own lives as a means of affecting positive change in their lives and communities. Adults from participating schools took part in workshops to help them critically examine how to create and sustain courageous, safe spaces within their schools and beyond to effectively serve young, self-identified men of color now and in the future.

Reflecting upon the experience, Harper said, “To me, young men of color are the most vulnerable population in our country—and the most underserved, the most in threat. I want them to have agency. If we can have them understand that they are individuals with agency, then it changes the paradigm and their decision-making metrics because it allows them to be accountable to themselves and ignore the things that have nothing to do with them.”

Volunteer, parent and board member Sherman Wright was optimistic about the event, sharing, “I hope those in attendance walked away with a strong sense of pride and confidence that they matter, and while they may experience challenges and doubt in their respective schools and communities, there is a bigger plan and opportunity for them to have an impact on the world.”

On the day prior to the symposium, Harper spent time at Parker speaking with members of the Upper School Men of Color Heritage Affinity (MOCHA) group, students in the Upper School acting class and an audience of 3rd–12th grade students on the role each can play in being architects of their own lives.

Parker thanks the speakers, participants, volunteers and members of our community who contributed their time, thought and attention to make this event a success once again!

Click here for photos!