On November 17th, 2022 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke, the SPIFFY Coalition co-sponsored and co-organized the 9th Annual Safe and Healthy Schools Summit: Supporting Schools in Seeking Racial Healing in Polarizing Times.
Keynote Speaker Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, president emerita of Spelman College, is a clinical psychologist widely known for her expertise on race relations. Prior to her 2002 appointment as president of Spelman, she served as dean and acting president at Mount Holyoke College. She is author of the book “Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria” and “Can We Talk About Race? and Other Conversations in an Era of School Resegregation.” Dr. Tatum will engage with conversation partner Evelin Aquino – Cultural Strategist, Consultant, Trainer, and Coach.
Other presenters included: Amherst-based Positivity Pod, featuring social justice educators Pat Romney, Paul H. Wiley, Angelica Castro, Kena Acuña, Molly Keehn; Collaborative for Educational Services Joy and Justice Team and local school representatives.
Sponsored by the Office of Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan, the SPIFFY Coalition, the Communities that Care Coalition, and the Collaborative for Educational Services.
“’The conference is for people to come together and be together, connect with others and learn skills and resources that are available to support them,’ said Lisa Goldsmith, SPIFFY Coalition Coordinator In past years, conferences addressed mental health needs of students as well as safeguarding student rights. ‘It’s about listening to educators and students about what they need. And this year, children have been impacted by these divides we have in our society, and I think we need to really address racial healing and having open conversations,’ Sullivan said. Throughout the day, educators and administrators could participate in workshops designed to strengthen skills to better address racism and racial equality in schools, and navigate difficult or polarizing conversations…”
Read more in this Gazette Article here.