Trustees and Heads Partnering to Propel Schools: Becoming An Antiracist School

Trustees and Heads Partnering to Propel Schools

Becoming an antiracist school

(Is there a right way to do this?)

Virtual Workshop ~ 9:00am – 12:00pm

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is typically offered for Heads and Board Chairs. These teams are still encouraged to attend together. This year however, we are encouraging other trustees to attend as well to explore this important topic.

Join your colleagues from Independent Schools across the Northwest and benefit from the expertise of veteran institutional leaders and fellow participants. You will come away with exposure to theory and practice that will enhance your ability to work together to lead your school.

Workshop Description

Becoming an antiracist school (Is there a right way to do this?)

There has always been a need, but since Spring 2020, being an antiracist school has been an urgent demand, from within and beyond our communities. Policies have been established, statements made (and remade) and a lot (more) DEI activity is happening. And, concerns have been raised: about “woke” and “cancel” culture, about schools taking a liberal agenda too far. This workshop is an opportunity for governance to pause and reflect – in a year that hasn’t allowed much time for that – and assess: how is antiracism going in your community? how do you know? and now what? We won’t solve racism or antiracist growth pains in a half-day, but we’ll make progress:

• focusing on governance’s responsibilities for antiracist diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI): institutional strategy, community leadership and internal board DEI; 
• learning through real-life scenarios of antiracist action and reaction in our schools; and
• engaging in honest dialogue with each other about our aspirations, fears, responsibilities and opportunities to transform into the schools students will need in 2025, 2030… and beyond.

Join Expert Facilitator Alison Park to Explore This Crucial Topic.

Alison Park

As the founder of Blink Consulting, Alison Park (pronouns: she/her) has partnered with over 100 independent schools, as well as public districts, community-based organizations and nonprofits to advance their commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion. In addition to her work with clients, Alison has facilitated and keynoted at numerous conferences, including the Asian Educators’ Alliance, Bay Area Directors of Admission Symposium, California Association of Independent Schools, East Bay Independent Schools Association, National Association of Independent Schools’ Annual and POCC, Northwest Association of Independent Schools’ Fall Educators and Institutional Leadership and the White Privilege Conferences. Alison has also served on Park Day School's Board of Trustees and the Advisory Board of the Mosaic Project, and currently serves on the SMART program's Board of Directors. Before Blink, Alison taught for thirteen years in the public, non-profit and private sectors, including Marin Academy and Head-Royce Middle School. Alison earned her B.A. in African Studies at Yale University and two Master's degrees at Harvard's Graduate School of Education. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Alison has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area over 25 years. She currently consults, writes, runs the hills and gets off the grid with a fly rod when she can.

Registration Information

NWAIS Attendees: $75

Non-NWAIS Attendees: $125

Cancellation Policy


Substitutions may be made any time prior to the conference. Written cancellations received by the Monday before the workshop are eligible for a refund after a $25 cancellation fee. Cancellations received after the cancellation deadline are ineligible for any refund.