Dr. Gene Batiste

Dr. Batiste conducted a presentation and discussion on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Courageous Conversations about Race and Ethnicity in Independent Schools. Area educators, and School and local community members were in attendance.

“Diversity is morally important for the academic and social success of all students,” Batiste said at a public discussion at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center.

During his 90-minute presentation, participants engaged in activities and exercises, listened to information about busting myths of diversity, the mission-driven rationale for diversity and inclusion in independent schools, and more. Many also asked questions related to practical aspects of carrying out diversity work in their schools.

Dr. Batiste has more than 20 years’ experience providing presentations and training in the area of diversity and inclusion, leadership development, and trust development to independent schools, state and regional associations of independent schools, and corporations both in the United States and abroad. Dr. Batiste has also served as the Vice President of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), during which time he co-edited The Head’s Handbook: A Guide for Aspiring, New, and Experienced Heads of School (2011) and edited Diversity Work in Independent Schools: The Practice and the Practitioner (2013). He focuses on supporting the visualization and realization of building and sustaining diverse, inclusive, and equitable independent school communities. For more about Dr. Batiste, please visit genebatisteconsulting.com/about.