ACIS Conference Facilitated Connecting, Mentoring and Sharing

Parker welcomed senior administrators from around the country to its 7th annual Administrators of Color in Independent Schools Conference.

The school hosted 84 senior administrators of color from 37 independent schools for a day and a half of connecting, mentoring and sharing. The event’s agenda included a welcome reception, dinner, keynote speakers and opportunities for participants to meet in affinity groups and network.

On the evening of their arrival, guests heard a speech from Maya-Camille Broussard focusing on resilience, the power of education, her story/journey and the way to use someone else’s doubt in you as motivation to succeed. The next day, Molly Kawahata spoke to the transformative power of hope—it is not a feeling, but an action—and provided those in attendance with components of hope and tools to be more hopeful and inspire hope in others. Participants also listened to Joshua Bennett talk about his experience as a student of color in an independent school, the power of writing/poetry and the importance of community and connection.

Assistant Principal Priyanka Rupani has been instrumental in bringing this much-anticipated event to life for the past four years. “Being an administrator of color in an independent school can feel lonely and isolating. My hope is that this space reminds folks that they have people in their community all over the country. It is also so powerful for Parker students to see administrators of color from all over the country gather here,” she noted.

Rupani especially appreciated the way guest speakers’ remarks built upon one another at this year’s event, sharing, “Even though the three speakers did not connect prior to, or even during, the conference, their messages resonated deeply and felt cohesive. There was a common thread of connection throughout the experience.”

Parker has already scheduled next year’s conference for Thursday, October 23–Friday, October 24, 2025, and Rupani is excited to help make it happen once again. “This event is one of the highlights of my job. Picking speakers, planning the program, working in partnership with [Executive Assistant to the Assistant Principal] Margaret [Dailey] to ensure we have a smooth and meaningful event is amazing. I feel so grateful that I get to do this as part of my job—it feels like a gift!”

The school is proud of the continued growth and success of the Administrators of Color in Independent Schools Conference and looks forward to next year’s event.

Enjoy photos from this year’s ACIS here.