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

"Chat, are we cooked?: Growing up in 2026”

The 27th Annual Multicultural Student Leadership Conference

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026

Nightingale Bamford School

20 East 92nd Street

New York, New York 10128

2026 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  Discussion Workshop I

2:15 PM - 2:30 PM  Snack Break

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM  Discussion 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 DISCUSSION WORKSHOPS

Each student will be enrolled in two conference discussion workshops.

Am I Chopped?: Where do beauty standards come from and whose view matters?

Banana + Tape = Art?: What qualifies as art? Is technology altering artistic thought?

Crushed, cubed, or melted: Immigration policy and ICE in our communities. Are we freezing New York’s melting pot?

How Far Does the Apple Fall From the Tree?: What is the impact of parenting styles on our future decisions?

Man vs. Machine: The Death of Original Thought?: Are we taking technology too far? How does AI threaten our humanity?

Shedding Shame: The youth mental health crisis and how we can find accessible care.

Slactivism: Are social media politics effective? Who is to blame for polarization?

Smoke and Mirrors: Do YOU have a voice in school policy? School administrations and how we interact with them.

The pay-to-pass method?: Are accommodations equalizers or power-ups within our schools?

“With great power comes great responsibility”: How we navigate privilege and enhance social mobility.

**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.