The words of Professor Ibram X. Kendi, author of three bestselling books on anti-racism, reached over 9,000 independent school parents, faculty, and staff at an Association of Independent Schools in New England Zoom webinar. On March 3, 127 independent schools— including 160 faculty and staff, 146 families, and 11 board members from BB&N—participated in the event to step toward fostering an anti-racist environment in their communities. The event was separated into three one-hour sessions: a Q&A with Dr. Kendi and two successive breakout-room disscusions , where various identity groups reflected on Dr. Kendi’s words.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Global Education Officer Leila Bailey- Stewart found Dr. Kendi’s explanation of the complexity of anti-racism to be a key takeaway from the event, she said.

“Dr. Kendi shared that actually the concepts of racism are simple, and that is why they are easy to spread,” Ms. Bailey-Stewart said. “It’s the concepts of anti-racism that are complex.”

Leslie Riedel P’26,’28 saw Dr. Kendi’s talk as a reminder of the work that lies ahead of the school as it moves toward becoming anti-racist, she said. “I am just reminded of the work that is nonstop. It’s not about not being racist. It’s about being anti-racist. You are always working in order to move forward and make a more equitable society.”