Dear Reader,

Thank you for expressing interest in The Black Link of Independent Schools Summit. Whether you're a Black-identifying individual or not, we welcome you to learn more about our initiatives!

In June 2019, Chukwudubem Anwunah '20, Miles Brewster '20, Obinna Okoli '20, and Ashley Williams '19 approached an alumnus to learn about his experience as one of the first Black students at their boarding school. They found that creating a network of Black students, past and present, could help them better understand the necessary changes that needed to occur in independent schools. The next fall, they established BLISS as an independent project to create a wide-ranging partnership of Black students in independent high schools, centered around an in-person conference called the BLISSummit.

At the core of BLISS is a student-led passion that strives to build genuine connections among Black students who experience less favorable circumstances in the independent school environment. We are constantly expanding to meet the demands of Black students in independent schools all across the nation. Our commitment, defined by first-hand experiences in Black, African, and Caribbean student organizations, affinity groups, and diversity councils serves to call for change in the independent school world, where our role is proactive in building a safe and equitable environment for all.

Stay tuned,

The BLISS Team