Alumni of Color Initiative

Germantown Friends School recognizes our alumni of color as brilliant and creative members of our community. The Alumni of Color Initiative supports the school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We will organize a vibrant array of events each year to build and sustain strong connections with GFS alumni of color.  

This initiative is a collaboration between the Alumni Office and the Diversity Leadership Team, in partnership with the Administrative Team at GFS. 

Please see the GFS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pages.

In many respects, the stories of alumni of color at GFS have only just begun to be told. We hope you will bring your voice to the table for this kick-off event. Come reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and share your own unique story. 

Last year, as part of our Strategy Through Inquiry work and as part of our Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism study, we spent significant time rethinking and reimagining our GFS community: How could our community aspire to be more than it is? What if we intentionally re-thought our campus community into one that—in both content and character—better reflects the diversity of cultures, beliefs, and identities represented (and underrepresented) in our world? 

This year, we have begun to put into action the aspirational and actionable ideas from last year. The Alumni of Color Committee and the work it will undertake is a direct outgrowth of those conversations.

Our hope is that by more intentionally forming and building connections, we create a more aware and compassionate community. We do this to remind one another of our shared humanity, to encourage listening, and to weave into the fabric of our culture the understanding that everyone’s story deserves to be heard. 

As noted diversity advocate Vernā Myers puts it, “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.”