BELONG Student Leaders’ Next Big Idea

A Bright Idea: HH DEI Leadership Institute

by MarQuis Chappell, Director of Equity and Inclusion WhenHarpeth Hall’s Upper School student diversity leadership group, BELONG, had its first meetings this school year, students challenged each other to think about what inclusion looks like not only within the school community but also without.

As an independent school, we charge our students to think more broadly about this city and the world. That takes intentionality. The greater Nashville area includes not only peer independent schools, but also neighboring public schools. Fostering relationships and joint programming with public schools continues to be a significant growth area for independent schools, but our girls have shown there are ways to make progress. Through BELONG, student leaders have embraced the club programming as an opportune space for innovation and bright ideas — and they have already started identifying issues and generating meaningful ways to address them, including how to bring together a community of Nashville educators and students from all schools.

“I believe that the initiative Harpeth Hall is taking in this subject is admirable,” rising junior Eden Powell said. “While most school’s stay in their own lane and avoid difficult discussions, Harpeth Hall is using this opportunity to educate students not only how to be better humans at school, but also in our everyday lives.” Led by a group of rising juniors and seniors, BELONG is in the early stages of designing a day-long DEI Leadership Institute for students from Nashville area independent and public schools. The institute will equip students from area private high schools with the tools to facilitate hard conversations and initiate strategic advancements within their schools. Similarly, our conference will train students to use restorative practices for conflict resolution and equip them with practical inclusive leadership skills, such as planning a meeting agenda, including all attendees in the conversation, and considering voices who might not be included in the conversation. Among other things, the partnership with public schools distinguishes the Harpeth Hall DEI Leadership Institute from similar programs. “I think that having broader connections with different schools in the city, public and private, will be very beneficial,” rising junior Lauren Wynn said, “and allow our school to create better relationships in all settings within the community.” Partnering with neighboring public schools will be an enriching experience for all persons involved. It gives each school the opportunity to further engage in the work of teaching students to think critically, to lead confidently, and to live honorably.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging-focused leadership groups on campus provide a community for students, faculty, and parents to gather, celebrate, and support one another. In the 2021-2022 school year, Harpeth Hall students formed both the Better Together Middle School leadership group and BELONG, the Upper School leadership group. These groups are comprised of collaborative, thoughtful leaders from diverse social, religious, and cultural backgrounds who partner with Director of Equity and Inclusion MarQuis Chappell to help plan, design, and implement ongoing DEIB initiatives and learning opportunities for the school community. Boldly Showing Up Engaging in Tough Conversations Listening More than I Speak Open to Learning Noticing My Assumptions Giving Second Chances