Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Club at Lakefield College School

Lakefield College School's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Club offers students a space to explore how we can better create an inclusive and welcoming community for everyone. As issues pertaining to DEI become more prominent topics of conversation in the zeitgeist, the club's work has become even more critical in ensuring that students are equipped to navigate important conversations with empathy and understanding.

The club's focus is to educate and encourage critical thinking among students, which is particularly important in today's world where social media is ubiquitous. Our DEI Club students aim to create an environment where their peers can come forward and share their experiences without fear of judgement or backlash. They achieve this by presenting on various topics to the school community in Chapel throughout the year, organizing and participating in events to recognize significant times of the year (e.g. Chinese Food and Culture Festival, fundraising for the earthquake in Turkey, National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Black History Month, and more), and showing their peers that they are always available to support one another. By acknowledging the reality of racism and hatred in society, students in DEI Club help to create a more authentic and safe space for everyone.

The club's work is never done. As a community, we continually strive to learn about and practice inclusivity to ensure that everyone feels welcome. The DEI Club participants strive to create a culture of awareness of how actions and words impact others, and they work hard to ensure that everyone feels valued and heard.

As a school, LCS recognizes the importance of empathy and language and is committed to strengthening cultural competencies. The DEI Club plays an important role in encouraging student voice and enhancing this culture, and their efforts are vital in creating a more inclusive and welcoming community for everyone.