PSUSD students are raising awareness around diversity and racial equity in the valley

A student panel with about seven high school students of color will speak about their experiences being a student in Palm Springs Unified School District at the 2nd Annual Diversity and Racial Equity Conference.

The conference is on September 30, 2023, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The event is free and open to the public of all ages. RSVP by scanning the QR code on the photo below.

The keynote is Diana Ceja, RCOE instructional services administrator, who will focus on decolonizing attendees' mindsets and how to begin the healing process.

"Stereotypes have been a big problem all throughout my life and a lot of other people's lives," says a 12th grade student a Palm Springs High, Luke Calderon.

"Racial prejudice, I had to deal with it at a very young age," says 12th grade student a Palm Springs High, Jaimie Santos. "The most earliest I guess I can think of, is when I was in middle school."

Multiple breakout sessions will focus on building community, reflection, grieving racism, self-reflection time, and how to begin healing.

Mendoza and Calderon want to break down the differences between equity and equality during the conference. Equality means providing the same to all. Equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place. "Some students, they don't have to worry about the money like their family is already up there, they already have some money, like it won't be that big of an issue," says Calderon. "But some of them who were economically disadvantaged won't have the opportunities or the resources to get to college like some other students will.

A Coachella Valley favorite, Keisha D, will be providing lunchtime entertainment.

Tune in at 4,5,6 p.m. to learn what issues students plan to discuss at the conference and how you can be a part of the conversation.