Pedro Morales and Jessica Pagan
in Grades Six through Twelve in the New York City area
and beyond. The day featured opportunities for our boys
to explore their multiple identities and learn skills geared
towards self-advocacy and community building. The goal
of this event is to empower students to effect positive change
in their lives and their communities, using newly acquired
language and knowledge.
(Re) defining Power Conference is a space for young self-
identified white men in Grades Six through Twelve. The
goal of the conference is to provide them with language and
understanding to work with their communities toward racial
justice and gender equity.
The keynote speaker, Darnell Moore, author of the
acclaimed book No Ashes in the Fire, set the tone for the day,
highlighting how we can interrupt stereotypical narratives
of masculinity, reimagine the stories we tell ourselves about
ourselves and others, and be in solidarity with all people in
the struggle toward liberation. He provided a very powerful
lesson to our boys about being proud of who they are.
SDM: That sounds like a very valuable experience, with
actionable takeaways. What was the boys’ feedback?
Pedro and Jessica: The boys were so impressed with the
speaker; they found him inspiring and motivational. In a
8 • Saint David’s Magazine
post-conference discussion, they also indicated that much
of what they learned, they had also experienced in our
Sophrosyne classes geared toward equity and inclusion, and
that they were encouraged to take what they learned in the
conference to their peers.
SDM: Are there other similar conferences planned for
this year?
Pedro and Jessica: Four Saint David’s faculty and staff
attended the annual People of Color Conference. We will also
be attending the Dalton Diversity Conference again with a
cohort of alumni, parents, faculty and trustees. We will be
sending faculty to a workshop in January at Marymount
entitled Racial Literacy: How Home and School Can Work
Together. Last, and a bit new is that we are working with
the current Student Council and other Upper School boys
to foster student-led initiatives.
SDM: Where do you see the greatest opportunities to
continue to build an even stronger community at Saint
David’s?
Pedro and Jessica: One great opportunity now is that
having the official backing of the school takes this work to
another level. Roles are more clearly defined about what we,
COCI, and Sophrosyne do.