Porter-Gaud is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable community in which all individuals can contribute to school life and develop a sense of belonging. In accordance with our Episcopal identity, we seek to honor the God-given dignity of every human being in our words, actions, thoughts, character, and habits.
We actively work to gain a deeper understanding of difference through openness, curiosity, and empathy, and we embrace diverse cultures, backgrounds, and ideas to broaden and enrich who we are.
April 20th from 6:30-8:00pm
Head of School’s Home- Outdoor event
Diversity and Inclusion Parent Alliance presents Gullah Geechee Rice Culture, it's origins, heritage, and modern practice, with cooking demonstration, tastings, and book signing.
PAST EVENTS
The Diversity and Inclusion Parent Alliances's (DIPA) 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.
October 1st: Introduction to PG’s new Head Chaplain, Palmer Kennedy. Father Kennedy will discuss the intersection of our Episcopal Identity and DEI.
Palmer Kennedy - Head Chaplain/Upper School Chaplain
BA Psychology - Auburn University
MDIV - Divinity School at Samford University
Palmer has relocated to Charleston from Lafayette, LA. He was Chaplain at the Ascension School and also served as Associate Priest at the Episcopal Church of The Ascension.
November 5th: Civil Discourse. A speaker from The League of Women Voters will lead a discussion about the importance of meaningful conversations and how to have them.
December 3rd: The Ins and Outs of DEI. Michael Moore, Porter-Gaud parent and the Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Blackbaud, will lead a conversation about DEI, what it is and why it is important.
Michael Boulware Moore is a high-impact business and community leader, board member, keynote speaker, and author. He is a thought leader on diversity and inclusion, social justice, African American history, and brand strategy. He earned a BA from Syracuse University and an MBA from Duke University.
Michael is currently the Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Blackbaud - the world’s leading software company powering the global social good community. There, he drives the company's effort to enhance the impact and productivity of their workforce through the strategic execution of a vibrant D&I effort.Previously, Michael was the Founding President/CEO of the International African American Museum.
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. Cora will provide resources to families.
Student programming across all three divisions includes our virtues program, Chapel lessons, weekly social-emotional learning in Life 101, leadership classes, MS and US 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, MS and US English curriculum began including more diverse perspectives including authors of color and women for required student reading.
Lower School programming/DEI lessons includes:
Hispanic/Latino heritage month
Culture, holidays, and family traditions
Ability differences i.e. physical disabilities, mental/social disabilities
MLK/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 microaggression, 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.
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.
