Photo credit: Ayanna Beckett '26

Highlighting Social Justice at Annual Summit

11/20/2024

Juan Torres ’25 found a true sense of community at The Saturday Summit on Social Justice (SSSJ) held at Masters last weekend.

“It’s a day that refills peoples' cups — we learn together, cry together, laugh together — the meaning of community prevails,” the Diversity Ambassador co-chair explained.

The eighth annual conference, organized by the Center for Inclusive Excellence and co-hosted by Masters and Rye Country Day School, welcomed some 100 attendees from six local independent schools.

Masters alumnus and former Dobbs Alumnae/i Association board member Vincent Madera ’05, a social worker and division director at The Children’s Village, spoke to students about the day’s theme of the day, Reframing Our Space: Navigating Approaches to Social Justice Work.

“Hearing Mr. Madera’s story and experiences as a Masters student was powerful,” Dean for Inclusive Excellence Esperanza Borrero said. “His path towards social work was a reminder of the myriad ways being ‘a power for good’ can show up in our communities.”

Through affinity groups and workshops, students, faculty, staff and administrators explored the roles that diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice play both in and outside school communities. Topics included: Identity and Change Throughout the Harlem Renaissance, The Impact of Inclusive Language, The Development of Eurocentric Perspective and Its Effects on Minorities, and Voices in Context: An Exploration of Code Switching.

Throughout the day, Borrero witnessed the sense of community “that truly empowers our students and adults. This shared experience recharges our collective energy, fueling our continued pursuit of equity and justice.”

The summit ended with a dance and pizza party — and time for reflection.

“The summit was filled with joy, intensity and profound commitment to social justice,” Torres said. “It's the perfect opportunity to channel our trepidation into a vehicle for change. We gather not just for the betterment of ourselves, but for the betterment of the community that transcends us: Masters.”