Annual Student Leadership Conference Held
Citizens Uprooting Racism Bermuda [CURB] and Bermuda High School [BHS] announced the conclusion of the successful first Annual Student Leadership Conference.
“Stacey-Lee Williams Executive Director of CURB, and Carol Swainson Head of BHS, collaborated to design and launch the Conference, guiding students toward constructive conversations about racial equity and positive community change.
“The Conference, held on October 24th and 25th 2023, brought together nearly 50 Attendees: students from Berkeley Institute, Somersfield Academy, Bermuda High School, Warwick Academy. Bermuda Institute, Mount Saint Agnes Academy, CedarBridge Academy, and the students were unified in their desires to be leaders among their peers to address unfair perspectives and to shift storylines that create division and negativity among Bermuda’s young people.
“The theme, “Building Bridges, Empowering Change” was enthusiastically embraced by the students who eagerly and honestly shared their experiences; both their own internalised biases as well as when they were victims of bias. The sessions fostered rich, in-depth conversations in a protected environment between young people who might not normally interact.
Executive Director of CURB, Stacey-Lee Williams stated: “The success of this conference demonstrates the power of collaboration and the desire of students to be agents of change. We are thrilled with the results and the strong desire for similar events in the future.”
“The students were addressed by American Keynote Speaker Mary Louise Patterson, a lifelong activist and editor of ‘Letters by Langston Hughes’. Ms. Patterson inspired students with her remarkable story of fighting for justice, with Attendees expressing that it was an honour to be in the presence of someone who had lived the history they learn about in their studies.
Carol Swainson, Head of BHS, commented: “The collaboration between CURB and BHS was an overwhelming success and we are committed to making this an annual event that is hosted alternatively between public and private schools. Our collective goal is to equip all students in Bermuda with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.”
“A special thank you goes to Conyers for their sponsorship, and Mr. Christian Luthi for his welcome address. We are also grateful to Mr. Corey Butterfield of Profiles of Bermuda for sharing Bermuda’s rich history, and Ms. Nadia Khan for facilitating activities and conversations. Finally CURB thanks the numerous volunteers whose assistance contributed to the resounding success of the event.”
