Community Engagement & Belonging

The diversity and inclusion parent alliance (DIPA)

The Diversity and Inclusion Parent Alliances's mission is to help students and families grow in their understanding of diversity and cultural sensitivity, develop awareness and empathy, and recognize and appreciate the unique nature of our school community. This parent partnership is in support of our school’s mission and in building a welcoming and inclusive community. 

PAST PARENt EVENTS

October 2022: Beyond Diversity: Why a Culture of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Prepare our Learners for the Challenges of the 21st Century
Dr. Yerko Sepúlveda, Porter Gaud's Director of Community Engagement and Belonging, introduced the CEB office at Porter-Gaud, explored the latest trends in equity work in education, and shared about the action steps the CEB office is taking to ensure we continue creating an inclusive and equitable community where everyone at our school develops a sense of belonging. 

March 2022: Cora Webb of Charleston's We Are Family
We Are Family’s mission as a southern grassroots non-profit organization is to provide affirming spaces for LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, etc.) and ally youth up to the age of 24 through direct support, leadership development, and community engagement. 

December 3, 2021: The Ins and Outs of DEI
Michael Moore, Porter-Gaud parent and the Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Blackbaud, led a conversation about DEI, what it is, and why it is important. Previously, Michael was the Founding President/CEO of the International African American Museum. Michael is a thought leader on diversity and inclusion, social justice, and African American history. 

November 5, 2021: Civil Discourse
A speaker from The League of Women Voters led a discussion about the importance of meaningful conversations and how to have them.

October 1, 2021: Introduction to PG’s Head Chaplain, Palmer Kennedy
Father Kennedy discussed the intersection of our Episcopal Identity and DEI. He relocated to Charleston from Lafayette, LA, where he served as Chaplain at the Ascension School and as Associate Priest at the Episcopal Church of The Ascension. He received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Auburn University and an MDIV from the Divinity School at Samford University. 

How to Talk to Kids about Racism

Ted Talk with Bryan Stevenson: We Need to Talk About Injustice
 
Talking to Children About Racism and Injustice (Part 1) 
 
Talking to Children About Racism and Injustice (Part 2) 

Book suggestions from ReadBrightly

Media Suggestions about Social Justice 

• Student programming across all three divisions includes our virtues program, Chapel lessons, weekly social-emotional learning in Life 101, leadership classes, Middle School and Upper School Global Union clubs, advisory discussions, morning meetings, and division assemblies. Discussions consist of topics on culture, race and ethnicity, religion, disability awareness, and socioeconomic status. While these topics can be difficult, providing the opportunity to have open dialogue and allowing students to ask and answer questions is key.   
• All teachers are making room for current event and spontaneous discussion on race and other diversity initiatives. The History department is also tackling revisionist history as it pertains to American history and slavery. In 2020-2021, Middle School and Upper School English curriculum began including more diverse perspectives, including authors of color and women for required student reading. 
• Lower School programming includes:
  • Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month
  • Culture, holidays, and family traditions
  • Ability differences, i.e., physical, mental, and social disabilities
  • Martin Luther King Jr./Black History Month
  • Women's history and the important contributions of women in society
  • Race, racial, and gender stereotypes
• Middle School programming follows the national Empowering Students, Challenging Bias curriculum, which emphasizes social justice and anti-bias. Discussions have included civil discourse, bullying, empathy, racism, upstanding, and implicit bias, as part of Life 101.
• The Freshman Experience includes topics such as microaggressions, privilege and power, unconscious bias, diversity and inclusion, stereotypes, and prejudice.  
• Across all grade levels, we will develop curricula and cross-cultural programs that will train our students to become locally-responsible citizens and globally-minded thinkers and leaders. We will incorporate greater diversity of perspectives in our curriculum while respecting our traditions that enable us to meet the goals of the Vision of a Learner.

In 2021, Porter-Gaud awarded $2.2 million in financial aid. 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Scholarships include:

• The Middleton Scholarship was established in 2017 by Khris Middleton ’09. The Middleton Scholars program aims to increase diversity at Porter-Gaud by awarding scholarships to high achieving underserved and minority students.
• The Equity and Inclusion Endowed Fund ensures that every child that attends Porter-Gaud has access to the full PG experience. The Fund contributes to new uniforms, tutoring, class trips and field trips, club and academic programs such as Youth In Government or Model UN, and extended day. 
• 25 named diversity scholarships can be found on our Giving/Scholarship landing page. 
• Although not specifically established as a diversity scholarship, The Malone Family Foundation Scholarship  enables students who are of the highest academic caliber to attend Porter-Gaud and has been instrumental in expanding access of a Porter-Gaud education to students of all backgrounds.

Porter-Gaud's Global Union is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of diversity. GU is not an exclusive club; it is an inclusive club that consists of those who are open-minded and passionate about having a more diverse, understanding and affirming campus. Established in 2005, we are accepting of all individuals regardless of differences and encourage open dialogue and communication during meetings, planning and implementing programs and in all co-curricular experiences. We embrace differences in race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and all areas under the umbrella of the broad spectrum of “diversity.” We welcome you to step outside of your comfort zone…and into the Global Union.

Other student clubs include:

• PG Pride is a student-run club that brings together LGBTQ+ students and allies to support each other, provide a safe place to socialize, and create a platform for activism. 
• Girls In provides our Middle and Upper School female students with the chance to develop leadership skills, explore topics such as self-esteem, self-defense, body image, and mental illness, as well as professions such as medicine, law, nutrition and wellness.