“You can’t be human all by yourself…We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another…you are connected and what you do affects the whole world.” —  Bishop Desmond Tutu

Mirman’s Student Diversity Leadership Council (SDLC) aligns with the vision of the National Association of Independent School’s (NAIS) Student Diversity Leadership Conference. SDLC at Mirman is designed for student leaders of diverse backgrounds to develop cross-cultural communication skills and identify strategies to support the school community in upholding our Statement of Inclusivity. 

The mission of SDLC is to empower Mirman students by equipping them with the necessary language, humility, awareness, and empathy to become confident leaders, advocates, activists, and mentors in the realm of social justice.

The vision for SDLC is to foster a deepened sense of self and social awareness among students as they actively engage with the Mirman community and society at large. Our aim is to empower students by upholding Mirman’s Core Values (Responsibility, Integrity, Discovery, Empathy, and Resilience) and embracing principles of justice, equity, and inclusivity in their spheres of influence.

Housed in the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Community, Mirman’s Student Diversity Leadership Council (SDLC) participates in social justice leadership training. It is responsible for planning inclusivity and community programming at various points throughout the school year culminating in Peace and Social Justice Day. 

Additionally, students who participate in SDLC serve as student ambassadors and conduct presentations to the faculty/staff, Board, and parent body at Mirman, and the Greater Los Angeles community. 

Program components include:

SDLC is open to Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade students. Students must formally apply to the program and can be nominated by a faculty or staff member, and/or by a former SDLC student. At the end of each school year, applications are submitted to the SDLC Advisory Committee for review and selection. 

Peace and Social Justice Day

Peace and Social Justice (PSJ) Day is the culminating event of the school year for SDLC. PSJ day is SDLC-led and includes a special schedule featuring any number of the following activities: 

SDLC facilitators work with SDLC members to determine a  theme for PSJ Day that event programming is centered around and facilitators partner with various community stakeholders to ensure that the event incorporates community-wide participation. 

If you have any questions about SDLC, please contact the Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Community.