ABOUT US
Diversity, Culture & Belonging

Our Commitment

At Albuquerque Academy, a commitment to diversity, culture, and belonging means that we dedicate ourselves to creating an environment in which all people – regardless of race, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political beliefs, physical disability, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, age, or religion – can thrive. It is the collective responsibility of the Albuquerque Academy community of faculty, students, staff, administration, and parents to make this environment conducive to learning and to foster mutual respect among all community members.

Diversity on our campus manifests our acceptance of the fact that we are part of a world community and that we appreciate the possibilities of the broad spectrum of humanity. To that end, we intend to weave diversity education into all aspects of school life where appropriate.

Specifically, a commitment to diversity, culture, and belonging requires that each of us examines unquestioned or traditional attitudes and beliefs about differences and suspend those that are inappropriate. It also requires that we exert an effort to model behavior that reveals our respect and appreciation for differences. To facilitate the examination of our own belief systems and behaviors, diverse curricular materials, student common times, and training programs for faculty and staff on such matters will be part of the fiber of this academic community.

In this commitment, we prepare ourselves for the diverse and interconnected world in which we live.

Email the DCB team.

What We Do

Learning to celebrate difference and to have compassion for others should be an intentional effort enriched through education and dialogue around the topic. DCB efforts are a shared partnership across all sectors of the community and ongoing goals for the Academy as a whole.

• Student Diversity Groups: In addition to student affinity groups (Black Student Association, Hispanic Student Association, Jewish Student Association, Muslim Student Association, and the Sexuality and Gender Alliance), there are divisional Student Diversity Leadership Councils. The mission of SDLC is to provide a safe, accepting environment and forum for discussion and to promote awareness, equity, social justice, and the acceptance of diversity within and beyond the Academy community and to strive to find solutions to issues facing our community.
• Faculty Professional Development: Albuquerque Academy strives for diversity-related professional development to be ongoing for our faculty, staff, and administration. In addition to internal work done in faculty meetings in this area, the director offers training workshops, book groups, and opportunities to attend conferences and participate in online workshops. External consultants are also invited to school in-services to help with our continued growth with diversity work.
• Parent Councils: Albuquerque Academy is home to five Multicultural Parent Councils. The African American; Allies, Friends, and Parents of LGBTQIA+ Academy; Asian American; Hispanic; and Native American Councils are affinity spaces for members with similar backgrounds, identities, and/or objectives to connect, encourage, mentor, advocate for, and support students of color and families.
• Cultural Activities & Celebrations: Every year, the multicultural parent councils and student groups engage in a variety of cultural activities and celebrations, including hosting cultural food or arts and crafts booths at Community Day, baking bread in our Pueblo-style horno, a Lunar New Year Celebration, the Native American Senior Honoring Ceremony, and Fall Feast, as well as attending events such as the UNM Black History Month Brunch and the New Mexico Diversity Conference for Youth.
• Guest Speakers: The following speakers and performers have visited Albuquerque Academy in recent years:
  • Regis Pecos – former governor of Cochiti Pueblo
  • Janelle Anyanonu – New Mexico state representative
  • Juane Quick-to-See Smith – sculptor, painter, and first Native American artist to have her work in the National Gallery
  • Beverly Gaines – associate director of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission
  • Tanaya Winder – poet, writer, and member of the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe
  • La Donna Harris – Comanche activist
  • Eric Zohn – discussion about fighting AIDS in Africa and his experience of being Jewish on the show Survivor
  • Dr. Karen Martin – race, incarceration, and the industrial complex
  • Eric Bibb – African American folk musician
  • Jagwa – musical group from Tanzania
  • Arthur Sze – poet
  • Rosette Eun Ryong Lee – diversity trainer speaking on identity and micro-aggressions
  • Miracle Luster – University of New Mexico student leader, who spoke about the importance of learning about Black history in America