Cornerstone: an Alliance
of Students and Families of Color
Cornerstone, a Student of Color Alliance (formerly known as Blake 101) is a program for students of color that aims to improve the experience and increase the retention of culturally diverse students at Blake. Read more.
Diversity Symposium
Since 1992, The Blake School has sponsored a diversity symposium featuring a well-known local or national speaker to address various aspects of diversity. The school strives to provide a forum for conversation about diversity and multicultural education that is accessible to the larger Twin Cities community. Through the Annual Diversity Symposium, The Blake School expands its educational environment beyond the school's four walls and heightens awareness of issues that impact our community. The event brings together Blake families and alumni with members of the broader community. Blake recognizes that true learning takes place through exposure, interaction and building meaningful relationships with our surrounding communities. Read more.
Celebration of Community
Blake’s Celebration of Community was conceived in 2001 to offer Blake families and friends the opportunity to experience the many and varied cultures represented within its own community. The event exposes children and adults alike to a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, values, ethnic traditions, rituals, food, dress, education, language and arts. From African drumming to Irish dancing; from the foods of the South to Chinese calligraphy, Blake’s Celebration of Community highlights that which makes each of us and our families special and unique. Read more.
The Center for Diversity Advisory Board
Blake’s Center for Diversity Advisory Board, comprised of administrators, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni and parents, is dedicated to executing the School’s commitment to diversity by connecting all constituencies of the School community. The Advisory Board endeavors to incorporate diversity throughout the life of the school by celebrating our inherent diversity, creating educational opportunities and dynamic programming, researching curricular resources, and addressing ongoing issues and concerns.
Diversity Education
The Center for Diversity offers several ongoing opportunities for faculty, staff and parents at Blake. A variety of programs are offered where through readings, films, speakers and other activities participants will explore and better understand the importance of pluralism in all that we do.
The Justice League
The Justice League is a group of Upper School students (grades 10 through 12). The Justice League was formed to support work that recognizes and values the different lived experiences of individuals in our community, to acknowledge systems of privilege and oppression that exist related to various aspects of identity, and to endeavor to root out injustice and seek equity through action, education and support.
Members of the Justice League are expected to participate in educational experiences that allow them to grow in their understanding of systems of privilege and oppression. Weekly meetings serve to further learn from each other and provide support and feedback to them in their work. Each Justice League member is involved in an action plan that is carried out in the community during the school year. Ultimately, the Justice League strives to actively participate in the creation of a courageous, engaged learning community.
GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) Advocacy and Support
The Blake School has a long history of pioneering an environment of safety for its GLBT students, parents, faculty and staff and their allies.
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GSA: The Upper and Middle schools have Gay Straight Alliances that meet regularly throughout the school year and are open to all students, faculty and staff. The purpose of the GSA is to provide a safe space for members of the community to learn about issues important to the GLBT community, to support members as they encounter oppression or celebrate progress, and to carry out several actions in the community throughout the school year (e.g., Day of Silence, Coming Out Day, Find Another Word campaign).
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Support and affinity groups: Support groups are also available to Blake students, parents and faculty and staff who identify as GLBT. These groups are confidential. Anyone wishing to know more about the support and affinity groups is encouraged to contact JJ Kahle jkahle@blakeschool.org for more information.
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LGBT Family Support Group
Student Programs and Organizations
Guest speakers, symposia, and assembly presentations create awareness and appreciation of all people for students pre-K through 12. Upper school organizations such as the Multicultural Awareness Club, the International Club, the Gay-Straight Alliance (see above), the Justice League (see above) and the Student Inter-Action Committee provide venues for ongoing discussion and sponsorship of events.