Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The Hill School

Hill Celebrates Dedication of the Warner Center for Spiritual Life and Equity

Guest speaker Michael Tennant '00 with leaders of Hill's DEI Council

A glorious, sunny Sunday afternoon served as the perfect backdrop to a ceremony celebrating the dedication of the newly established Warner Center for Spiritual Life and Equity. On September 26, 2021, student and faculty leaders and members of Hill’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council led the programming for the special event, which also included remarks by Michael Tennant ’00, founder and CEO of Curiosity Lab,  empathy expert, and creator of Actually Curious, a unique card game which fights divisiveness. 

Olivia Kalu ’22 and John Ju ’23, co-chairs of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Leadership Council, served as the emcees for the ceremony.

“I would like to acknowledge the joy and hope our Student Leadership Team shares in dedicating this new space and what it means for Hill and its future,” Olivia shared. “The DEI student leadership team is dedicated to making every member of our community not only feel equally valued in our Hill School family, but have the accessibility to highlight our identities and culture.”

John noted the Council’s theme this year of “Unity Through Our Differences” and shared his personal hope that “the Warner Center and DEI can truly make Hill the family boarding school for students of all various identities,” noting it was the family boarding school ideal that made Hill stand out among other schools.

Dean of Spiritual Life and Equity and Firestone Chaplain The Reverend Khristi Adams reflected on the importance of having a dedicated, physical space on campus that reinforces The Hill’s commitment to cultivating an inclusive community through programming and initiatives that support Spiritual Life and DEI work at the School.

“We are a community that values all of our diverse cultures, identities, beliefs, and perspectives,” said Reverend Adams. “We want to be a place that provides emotional, social and personal support to students and faculty of underserved and underrepresented communities. It is our hope that this space will be a place for programs and initiatives, but also relationship building, community, and rest.”

Before Michael Tennant ‘00 offered his keynote remarks, Nimala Sivakumar ’23, member of the DEI Student Leadership Council, courageously shared a powerful “spoken word.” (see sidebar to read Nimala's "spoken word.")

‘“I have mixed memories about my experience at Hill,” Michael Tennant ’00 candidly shared at the start of his keynote address, noting that at that time, the School was not a place that necessarily prioritized inclusivity. While there were times when he felt seen and heard by people who he was close to at Hill, there were many times he was left feeling alone and unheard and needing to walk away.

 “What I began to realize is that unity doesn't always feel like harmony, Michael shared. “In fact, often it can feel like the opposite. Dissonance. Discomfort. And the more diverse our personalities, perspectives, and backgrounds, the greater the opportunity for difference.  But unity is what you get on the other side of that difference.”

Michael asked students to close their eyes and think of a moment that “will light your way to clarity, to peace, to purpose, to happiness,” emphasizing that “the dreams of love and happiness that we all seek, are available to us. We just have to create it in our minds first.” Michael encouraged students to “hold on to your passion and let it guide you to your integrity, and to your happiness.”

He ended his poignant and poetic remarks by sharing possibilities of “his favorite memory of Hill these days” noting times:

Where I found the courage, even when it was uncomfortable, to stand in my integrity. Where a shared struggle brought me closer to community - my fellow alumni, to members of the faculty and administration, to the ability to have my story affect the lives of those that follow.

Organizations have formed across the Hill ecosystem to keep discussion, agency, and representation alive and growing. A building has been dedicated to commemorate this moment in time.

Perhaps my favorite memory at the Hill will be right now. Or some other moment that the people in this will room create, or perhaps a moment curated by those you inspire. Let us fill this space with voices that inspire the true pursuit of unity. And make this next moment matter. What happens from here forward… turning dissonance into harmony, over and over. That's unity. That's love.

The dedication ceremony concluded with a special prayer led by Associate Chaplain The Reverend Anne Confer Martens ’02 in which she offered thanks for this special place of warmth and welcome for all.