I’m reaching out to share a unique opportunity to support five incredible women of color who have come together to create a presentation for this year’s People of Color Conference (PoCC), the National Association of Independent Schools' flagship conference focused on a commitment to equity and justice. Their session, which is focused on names and the immense power in and around what people and places are called, was chosen to highlight the deep and often-overlooked impacts that name mispronunciations and erasures have on students, educators, and communities. This important workshop brings not only personal insights but also powerful research to the table, tackling issues of identity, belonging, and respect.

Here’s the challenge: While two of the team members have their costs covered through NAIS-affiliated schools, three of them do not, leaving registration costs and travel expenses as personal expenses. Despite a 25% presenter discount, each of these three members still faces nearly $800 in registration fees alone, adding up to $2,351.25 for the group. They’ve done everything possible to find funding—from contacting their employers to reaching out to organizations, alumni programs, and even conference leadership—but they’ve come up empty-handed.

This team has already invested considerable time, passion, and resources to bring their presentation to life. Now, they need our support to get there. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ensure their voices are heard, and their message is shared with a broader audience. Please consider donating to help bring these voices of change to PoCC, where their stories and expertise can create lasting impact. Thank you for your support in making this meaningful work possible.

PoCC is a conference where educators of color come together to reconvene, reenergize and reset. With over 5,000 educators and allies in attendance, PoCC, as its website states "equips educators at every level—from teachers to trustees—with new knowledge and skills," and where attendees leave "better equipped to improve the interracial, interethnic, and intercultural climate in [schools], which will have a positive impact on the academic, social-emotional, and workplace performance outcomes for students and adults alike."