Conference Information

DAIS students plan and implement our Annual Multicultural Student Leadership Conference. The conference is a day long event full of open, meaningful and challenging discussion and interactive workshops, along with other activities. 

All students from 8th grade to 12th grade are welcome to attend and volunteer to help with the conference. 

In order to attend the conference, each student must register and pay a registration fee.

No student will be admitted into the conference after 2 pm.

We encourage schools to participate and support student registration fees. Students should contact their school's advisor for information about their particular school's policy.

Over the years, this conference has been beneficial not only to the student participants but to their schools as well. The knowledge and experience gained at the DAIS conference allows students to return to their schools more confident in themselves and prepared to take the initiative to educate others about diversity and social justice.

Diversity Awareness Initiative for Students (DAIS)

Presents

"I, too, am America*": Claiming your place in the current social climate (*Langston Hughes)

The 25th Annual Multicultural Student Leadership Conference

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024

Poly Prep Country Day School

9216 Seventh Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11228

2024 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

11:00 AM - 12:15 PM  Registration/Check in (School Picture ID's will be required) 

12:15 PM - 1:00 PM  Opening Ceremony

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM  Workshop I

2:15 PM - 2:30 PM  Snack Break

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM  Workshop II

3:45 PM - 5:00 PM  Group Activity

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM  Talent Show/Open Mic & Closing

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM  Dinner

7:30 PM - 11:00 PM  Party/Game Room

CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

Each student will be enrolled in two conference workshops.

Beyond the Board Game- Modern-day monopolies and their effect on cultural, sustainable and accessible consumerism. Do we have a choice in where, what and how we buy products and services?

Don’t Count the Days, Make the Days Count- Experiences, social markers, cultural influences and coming of age/aging of Millennials, Gen Z and Alpha. How do these compare? Where do you fit?

Early Lessons, Life-Long Impact- Are trends in education improving academic success and self-esteem? How important are role models and representation? Anti-intellectualism- something new?

Erasing the Stigma- Mental health- a relationship between mood, thinking, behavior and background? Is there equity in how it is diagnosed, judged and treated? How do we approach our well-being?

Follow the Leader- Influencers, stan culture and collective consciousness. Does social media create echo chambers for thoughts and beliefs? Is it worth standing out/being true to yourself? Consequences?

Hindsight Is 20/20- History keeps repeating itself. Why? Do bystander syndrome and apathy contribute to recurrences? How can we learn from the past, be productive, prevent repetition and move forward?

MVP: Most Vulnerable Players- Discrimination in sports. Racism, gender pay gap, punishment for social/cultural views, criticism of mental health/self-care, etc. How can athletes gain equity and respect?

Political Pendulum- Changes in political demographics. Who is more conservative or more liberal? Two party system- the past? Choose between two disliked candidates, not voting or alternative ‘wasted vote’?

Someone to Lean On- A ‘True Ally’. Allyship leading to a partnership and being co-conspirators. Boycotts and alternative ways to protest. How do you manage activism burnout/keep yourself sane?

Spare the chancleta, spoil the child- Cultural background, corporal punishment. Lessons learned or abuse? Do parents/adults owe children the same respect expected from them? What boundaries apply?

**Please note** The use of alcohol, tobacco/nicotine products (including e-cigs/vapes/juuls, Zyns) and drugs is strictly prohibited by DAIS, the host school and most importantly, the law. Any student caught with possession of or using such substances will be asked to leave the conference, accompanied by a parent or guardian.

 Students interested in attending the conference may register here. You must be in grades 8-12.  

Adults interested in chaperoning for the conference may sign up here. You must be at least 21 years old.