Lead for Diversity

Lead for Diversity 25th Anniversary Week Via Zoom

July 11-15, 2022 

Register Today!

To remain healthy and safe from COVID-19, The American Conference on Diversity is following the national and local health guidelines. While this means we are postponing our flagship Institute, Lead for Diversity until 2021, we cannot let its 25^th Anniversary go by unnoticed! Keeping in line with the social distancing mandates, we will host our virtual Lead for Diversity week-long event for high school students, volunteer staff, and LFD graduates starting July 11th!

 Join us for the 25th Anniversary of Lead for Diversity online festivities! During this virtual week-long event for high school students, staff, and LFD/Anytown graduates we will have different activities reflecting the Lead for Diversity experience. It’s a great opportunity to reconnect, share stories, and show us your best “Bull Dog”!

Lead for Diversity was launched in 1995 as Anytown. Today this program has more than 3000 graduates!

The focus of the Lead for Diversity Institute is on building leadership skills to increase awareness and develop strategies to help our youth recognize, address, and challenge bias, bullying and oppression based on ability status, age, body image, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status within their schools and communities.

The Lead for Diversity program begins with an intensive summer residential retreat experience that brings teams of students from high schools (public, private, charter) across the region together to engage in experiential workshops, small group discussions, and action planning around social justice and diversity issues. These student teams work together to create an Action Plan customized for their school or district, which they will implement during the school year. Typically, a group of four students from each school attend the summer session, and the Action Plan they create has the potential to reach the entire school and district population.

Lead for Diversity Participants Will

• Develop an understanding of and appreciation for diverse cultures, social identities, and other unique human characteristics
• Develop an expanded awareness of prejudice and its harmful effects on individuals, groups, and communities
• Improve leadership and communication skills that will ultimately decrease stereotyping and promote social justice and equity
• Develop and implement diversity and iinclusion Aciton Plans designed to positively impact the climates in their schools and communities

Who It Serves

10th and 11th-grade high school students that have demonstrated leadership and have the potential to influence change on their campus. Each school team must have an adult advisor/teacher that will support the implementation of their Action Plans and attend Volunteer Day. Students are eligible to earn up to 40 coummunity service hours with the completion of thier Action Plans.

Registration

Your school or organization must register to be considered for the Lead for Diversity program. Students must attend the institute with a team that has an school Advisor to support thier year-long experience.Space is limited, and applicants will be considered based on a first-come, first-serve basis. School team registration deadline is June 1. 

To get your application package email us at LeadForDiversity@AmericanConferenceOnDiversity.org

Volunteer Staff Application

If you have a passion for paying forward powerful lessons about social justice and diversity, we welcome you! LFD focuses on helping youth better understand the multiple dimensions of diversity. We need individuals that have experience in working with summer residential programs and are willing to volunteer their talents and skills to help create more inclusive schools.  Volunteers must be available for the entire duration of the program.An application does not mean immediate acceptance.  An interview is required. All volunteers must complete background checks and complete mandatory staff training. You could earn volunteer credit or work with your institutions for course credit. The institute volunteer application deadline is March 30. 

To submit your application click here.

Returning LFD Saff to submit your application click here.

Program Cost

$2,500 for a delegation of up to four students.  The cost includes transportation, ,lodging, meals, and program materials for the week-long summer institute. $500 non-refundable registration fee required. Limited school scholarships available.

Lead for Diversity 25th Anniversary Week

July 12-17, 2020 

Register Today!

Thank you to our 2018- 2019 Lead for Diversity PARTNERS IN  EDUCATION!