Marksmen Participate in Global Forum on Race

Several Upper School students recently participated in a virtual global forum on racial equity in boys’ education, organized by the International Boys School Coalition (IBSC). The conference involved participants from boys’ private schools around the world, including South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, and others. The goal of the event was to facilitate frank conversations about identity, the role of education in a diverse world in which values are increasingly tested and contested, and to conceptualize next steps towards greater racial equity in boys’ education.

Jason Lange, Assistant Head of Middle School, helped coordinate St. Mark’s involvement in the online event. “David Dini and I sat down and brainstormed a list of Marksmen who would well represent the School and who would be well-versed in matters related to race, identity, and equity,” Mr. Lange said. Samuel Eluemunoh ’22, Blake Hudspeth ’21, Cristian Pereira ’21, Josh Mysore ’21, and Morgan Chow ’23 represented St. Mark’s. 

“My greatest takeaway was how advanced St. Mark’s was when it came to the issue of diversity and inclusion,” Cristian said. “A lot of representatives from other schools across the world were recommending changes that St. Mark’s had implemented years ago. It made me very proud to be a Marksman.”

During the discussions, participants gained insight and new perspectives into the lives and issues facing their peers around the world. “The common theme of racial prejudice fostered discussion between African-American students and Maori-Pacific-Islander students about preconceived notions that often counter reality,” Mr. Lange said. “Boys of both demographics invited dialogue to form a broader conception of their heritage.”

“My perspective about my own racial identity and the biases that come with it has certainly changed, and I hope to spread this knowledge throughout the School and to my peers,” said Morgan.

The forum was created by an IBSC Task Force as part of a larger effort to gain further insight and understanding around inclusion and diversity. From the forum, surveys, and data reviews, the IBSC hopes to inspire further conversation around this important topic with its member schools and beyond.

“One of our Marksmen said afterwards, ‘I appreciate my own school even more now,’ referring to the strong foundation and understanding of racial equity that St. Mark’s has instilled in him as he heads off to university,” Mr. Lange said.