The plan is that this event will happen annually, centering on different themes and featuring presenters and community members who share workshops about the topic. The L.O.V.E. Summit is an interschool learning experience that brings together students and educators from multiple high school and educational communities to engage in dialogue, reflection, and celebration across various perspectives. Grounded in the principles of Listening, Observing, Validating, and Empathizing (L.O.V.E.), the summit is designed to create intentional space for students and educators to:

• Learn from peers across schools and lived experiences
• Share perspectives and practices related to empowerment and equity
• Build cross-school relationships rooted in respect and care
• Engage in both critical reflection and collective joy

Hosted on a Saturday, activities began with a welcome from members of the Student Diversity Leadership Group (SDLG) introducing a dance (originally performed during the Black History Month Assembly) from the Black and Latinx Student Union (BLSU). An icebreaker activity, following remarks from Head of School Dr. Karen Lassey, underscored the importance of listening throughout the day’s events before participants made their way to the day’s workshop offerings. 

 

 

 

Fifteen workshop sections were offered across two scheduled blocks. Led by students and educators, the workshops addressed topics such as centering intersectionality, having constructive conversations and civic discourse, femininity amidst gender binaries, leading as a woman of color, microaggressions, the role of women on board of trustees, depictions of sisterhood in television and film, blues and hip hop, and even more! See all the workshops and read their brief descriptions on the summit event website. 

“What I am most proud of is our students,” reflected Head of Institutional Equity and Inclusion Prince Botchway. “Their willingness to lean into storytelling, vulnerability, and courage is what made this experience so impactful. The summit was grounded in the practices of listening, observing, validating, and empathizing. What stood out most was seeing our young people not only understand these values, but actively live them as they stepped beyond the familiar rhythms of school life and into deeper connection with others.”

This year's summit included a community dinner and fireside chat with Dr. Ashley Bennett (Director of College Counseling at Emma Willard School, Dr. Bennett has served on national panels to unpack and discuss racism and inequity in education) moderated by Micha Greene (an award-winning journalist, storyteller, and actress from Washington, DC, she currently serves as Managing Editor of The Washington Informer), followed by an interschool dance hosted by BLSU.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my story with the summit attendees. I believe in the power of storytelling from the perspectives of the listener and the storyteller,” writes Dr. Bennett. “The L.O.V.E. Summit created an opportunity to connect with folks from other communities and we all learned from each other. I enjoyed every bit of the day. If I had one critique it would be that the summit was too short! I left feeling like we were just getting started. Thank you to Mr. Botchway for creating opportunities for all of us to grow.”

Much of the organizing was facilitated by SDLG members who made up the L.O.V.E. Summit student planning committee. Assigning specific events, tasks, or focuses to groups within SDLG has been a huge part of how the group gets things done. Students were involved and visible throughout every part of the day, from greeting and checking in the guests, running events, attending workshops, and more. 

“It was a big success,” says Marigold P.’27, a member of the SDLGs, on the collaboration between the group and some of the students who attended the Summit for Social Justice earlier in the year. “Everyone there was really dedicated. It’s a chance to have meaningful discussions but it’s not high-pressure.”

 

 

 

These sentiments were shared by many of the attendees. “The conversations we had, either in workshops, affinity sessions, or just in passing, really led to building connections with others on a deeper level,” writes Alankrita B. ’28. “It was great seeing how so many individuals care to contribute to such work. I loved learning from people’s stories, ideas, and overall, the L.O.V.E Summit was a great experience, and I look forward to planning and attending it next year!”

 

 

Chinese Instructor and Asian Student Union (ASU) Advisor Guangyu Hao provided insight into the importance of the event: 

Participating in the L.O.V.E Summit was a special and deeply meaningful experience. It created authentic connections, not only between students and faculty, but also among students themselves and across the broader educational community beyond Emma. As a workshop presenter, I found it especially powerful to be able to offer meaningful support and practical, helpful insights to students in a way that felt directly relevant and impactful. At the same time, I could genuinely feel the engagement of both students and fellow educators. I also learned a great deal from their feedback and discussions. For me, this experience served as a model for what DEI work can and should look like: empowering, collaborative, and deeply rooted in strengthening community connections.

In addition to the workshops and speakers, the day also included a community dinner with Jamaican cuisine from Emma’s own dining hall team and intergenerational affinity spaces for reflection and connection. 

“It's really great that we got to learn from peers and other educators outside of Emma, to get out of our bubble,” says Alex B. ’28. She added that “it was really educational and I wish that we did one more workshop within the day, and that it was an all day event!”