NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC)
About SDLC
The NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference is a multiracial, multicultural gathering of student leaders from eligible independent high schools across the U.S. and abroad. SDLC focuses on self-reflecting, forming allies, and building community. Led by a diverse team of trained adult and peer facilitators, participating students develop cross-cultural communication skills, design effective strategies for social justice practice through dialogue and the arts, and learn the foundations of allyship and networking principles. In addition to large group sessions, SDLC "family groups" and "home groups" allow for dialogue and sharing in smaller units.
2023 SDLC
The 2023 Student Diversity Leadership Conference will be held in St. Louis, MO, November 29–December 2. This year's theme is Bending the Arc Toward Justice: Radical Optimism, Transformational Joy, Resilience, and Brilliance.
The 2023 SDLC Lottery is now closed. Learn more about the lottery and registration process here.
SDLC Future Dates
Save the dates!
- 2023: St. Louis, November 29–December 2
- 2024: Denver, December 4–7
- 2025: Houston, December 3–6
- 2026: Boston, December 2–5
SDLC History
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) in 2018, these videos take a look at the history of the conference, the impact it has had, how independent schools can support its work, and hopes for the future.