Our Wildwood, Volume 53

GOOD TO KNOW Useful information about and for us

Multicultural Symposium Crosses Bridges to Understanding With the theme of “Crossing Bridges,” this year’s Multicultural Symposium invited middle and upper school students to step into new perspectives. Through hands-on workshops, bold conversations, and creative expression—from graphic novels and poetry to Tai Chi and protest songs—Wildwood students explored identity in all its complexity, with the goal of challenging assumptions, sparking inspiration, and celebrating what connects us. “The Multicultural Symposium has always been important to me just because it grants us the opportunity to really expand our thinking when it comes to the interconnectedness of the world,” said Rowan Fitzgibbon ‘25, one of the student leaders who helped facilitate the event. “It opens up space for voices that don’t always get heard.”

This year’s Symposium included presenters from the Wildwood community, including faculty and staff, current parents, trustees, students, and cultural leaders from the greater Los Angeles community. In addition, a host of volunteers from Wildwood’s Parent Multicultural Collaborative (PMC) were on hand to assist with community time and activities. In a special session, “” PART OF THE REASON WE SEE SO MUCH DIVISIVENESS IN THE WORLD TODAY IS BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN’T TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER—THEY’RE NOT TRULY LISTENING. —KAREN DYE DIRECTOR OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION Darius Jones, founder and president of the National Black Empowerment Council, and Dr. Noam Weissman, executive vice president and head of education at ConnectED, delved into antisemitism and the complex history of Black-Jewish relations in the United States. This year also included keynote discussions from Ann Kono and Kyle Hjelmeseth from TeachAAPI examining the nuances of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) identity, and the role of advocacy in building more inclusive communities. “It’s empowering to come together, rather than slice each other apart,” Ann said in her address to students. “Each of us are bridge-builders in our own way, and today is an opportunity to see how you can be part of this important work in both big and small ways.”

Under the direction of Director of Equity and Inclusion Karen Dye, this year’s rendition of the beloved program included approximately 30 workshops and activities related to Wildwood’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) mission. “Incorporating this work into our curriculum is essential,” Karen said. “Part of the reason we see so much divisiveness in the world today is because people aren’t talking to one another—they’re not truly listening. The Symposium helps our students build those skills: empathy, curiosity, and the ability to engage across differences. That’s why this event continues to matter, year after year.”

8