The Cheryl Irving Student Diversity Conference (CISDC) is held each spring in memory of beloved Penn Charter teacher Cheryl Irving, who passed away in 2014. CISDC focuses on issues of inclusion, race and identity. The goal of the conference is to give high school students in the greater Philadelphia area the tools they need to be ambassadors for community building and social justice.

CISDC was created in 2018 by Pierce Hodges (OPC ’19) and Ainyae Holmes (OPC ’19) with the hope that the conference will strengthen the sense of community and family between area schools. The 2020 conference is helmed by senior Savannah Payton.

This year’s theme is intersectionality, and the keynote speaker is Kevin Powell. Kevin Powell is an acclaimed civil and human rights activist, author, poet, and entrepreneur. He is the author of 13 books, including his critically acclaimed autobiography, The Education of Kevin Powell: A Boy’s Journey into Manhood. He has penned articles, essays, and blogs for a wide range of newspapers and magazines and major websites as well.

Registration fee: $50 per person. Registration closed on Saturday, Feb. 29.

If you have any further questions, please email our team at infocisdc@penncharter.com