On Friday the YWCA Greenwich held its annual Stand Against Racism event.
Keynote speaker was Ali Morgan, educational consultant from ALKM Consulting, who discussed having “the talk” with children about inclusion and navigating racism.
The event also included presentation of the 2026 Racial Justice and Gender Equity Scholarship Awards to six students.
Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones with Mariama Touray from Greenwich High School. Mariama, who arrived in the United States in 2021 without speaking English, has excelled academically earning a 3.9 GPA, National Merit Recognition and numerous honors in math, science and ESL achievement. Beyond the classroom she has volunteered and the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich and Greenwich Hospital. She is also a student athlete in crew and rugby. April 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones and YWCA president and CEO Mary Lee Kiernan with scholarship recipient, Mariama Touray from Greenwich High School. April 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
President and CEO of YWCA Greenwich said, “We are altogether working against hundreds of years of systemic racism. The weight of this work can feel overwhelming.” April 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
President and CEO of YWCA Greenwich, Mary Lee Kiernan said the most recent (2024) FBI data on hate crimes and bias crimes was deeply concerning: 11,679 hate crime incidents involving 14,243 victims reported nationwide – the second highest year ever reported since the FBI began collecting this data in 1991.
Kiernan noted the motivations for hate crimes nationally was overwhelmingly based on race, ethnicity or ancestry, accounting for 53.2% of all single bias incidents in 2024, and anti-Black hate crime continues to make up the largest share in this category.
Religion is the second highest, with 23.5%, continuing a multi-year upward trend.
Hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation accounted for 17.2%, followed by gender identity at 3.9%.
Also, Kiernan notedid the Dept of Justice has acknowledged the significant increase in anti-Semitic, anti-Arab and anti-Muslim hate crimes.
Accompanied by Selectwomen Rachel Khanna and Lauren Rabin, First Selectman Fred Camillo shared a proclamation, that read in part, “We acknowledge the critical importance of teaching history with honesty and integrity, ensuring that future generations are equipped with a comprehensive understanding of the past and its enduring impact on our society.” April 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Selectwoman Rachel Khanna, Greenwich Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, and state Rep Steve Meskers (D-150) at the YWCA Greenwich’s annual Stand Against Racism event. April 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Jen Barro and Jill Oberlander at the YWCA’s annual Stand Against Racism event. April 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
The YWCA’s Center for Equity and Justice director, Simone Quartey, said equity work is not about policy or programs, but rather about practice and everyday choice made in our homes, our schools and in our conversations. “That’s what brings us today to our theme about talking to kids about race and inclusion. For many this can feel like one of the most difficult conversations to navigate. There is uncertainty, hesitation, but yet there is urgency in this moment because young people are already observing, interpreting and forming an understanding of the world around them.” April 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Keynote speaker at the YWCA Greenwich’s annual Stand Against Racism event was DEI practitioner Ali Morgan. April 224, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Keynote speaker was DEI practitioner Ali Morgan, an education consultant and founder of ALMK Consulting. He has worked at Rye Country Day School for many years and will soon lead the Good Hope Country Day School in St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands.
Mr. Morgan emphasized that “the talk” with children about inclusion and navigating racism is not a one-time perfect conversation, but rather a series of moments.
“It’s a question at the dinner table, or in the car. It’s a comment after school, or a moment of confusion or discomfort,” he said. “How we respond in those moments is ultimately what matters.”
Besides, he said, children learn less from what parents say, and more from what we do.
“They learn what we model: how we treat others, how we respond to unfairness, whether we speak up or stay silent. They are always watching us.”
At the YWCA Greenwich’s annual Stand Against Racism event, DEI practitioner Ali Morgan said having “the talk” with children about racism and inclusion is one a one time perfect conversation, but rather a series of moments. April 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
“These conversations can start in every day ways,” he said. “Ask about their friends. Ask about their classmates. Small conversations early make big conversation easier later.”
“Normalize learning. It’s okay to say I’m still learning about this too,” he continued.
He pointed out that while Greenwich is indeed a diverse community, diversity does not equal inclusion.
With different lived experiences, often in the same classroom, including age, ability, gender, race ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status, he asked, “Imagine being a teacher and being greeted by this every day in class. Our children are already navigating this every day in school, on their teams, in their friendships and online.”
“And the question isn’t whether they will encounter difference, because they already are, but the question is, are we preparing them to engage in it thoughtfully? The truth is many adults are still figuring it out themselves.”
“Silence doesn’t help the children. It doesn’t protect the children. It just leaves them to fill the gaps themselves.”
Mr. Morgan said the idea of “colorblindness” was previously widely used and was flawed because it focused on treating everyone the same.
“Except that we’re not – and that is a good thing.”
Morgan said avoiding differences does not create fairness.
“We’ve come along way and we have shifted from colorblindness to honoring who you are and seeing you fully,” he said.
2026 Racial Justice and Gender Equity Scholarships
Greenwich Schools superintendent Dr. Toni Jones presented six 2026 Racial Justice & Gender Equity Scholarships to local students.
• Michael Fraturo Sanchez (Greenwich High School)
• Joshua Greene (Brunswick School)
• Tyler Malkin (Greenwich High School)
• Mia McCauliffe Grant (GCDS)
• Laurie Starke (Sacred heart Greenwich)
• Mariama Touray (Greenwich High School)
Jones said, “This work does not live only in special moments. It lives in the middle of our days, in our classrooms, in our conversations, in the choices we make, and how we show up for one another.”
She said the scholarship recipients were leading the way in conversations with young people about inclusion.
“They are not waiting to be tough these conversations. They are leading them,” Jones said.
Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones with Mariama Touray from Greenwich High School. April 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Jones introduced Mariama Touray who arrived in the United States in 2021 without speaking English. She has excelled academically earning a 3.9 GPA, National Merit Recognition and numerous honors in math, science and ESL achievement.
Beyond the classroom she has volunteered and the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich and Greenwich Hospital.
She is also a student-athlete in crew and rugby.
“As a young Muslim woman and first generation college student, Mariama leads by example, showing others what is possible through perseverance, discipline and belief,” Jones said, going on to congratulate Mariama for being accepted to UConn for pre-med.
Greenwich Schools Superintendent, Dr. Toni Jones with scholarship recipient Tyler Malkin from Greenwich High School, Director for the Center for Equity & Justice, Simone Quartey and YWCA President and CEO, Mary Lee Kiernan. April 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Jones said GHS senior Tyler Malkin’s work acknowledges that inclusion must exist in science, health and access to opportunity.
“Through his independent research, Tyler has developed a low cost diagnostic test to detect iodine deficiency, a condition affecting billions of people globally, as well as innovating biomedical solutions and addressing neonatal respiratory distress.”
She said Tyler’s research has been featured by the Society for Science and he has numerous received numerous prestigious honors.
Dr. Toni Jones congratulates scholarship recipient, Joshua Greene of Brunswick School. April 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Joshua Greene of Brunswick School, president of the Diversity In Action, Jones said he had has cultivated a space where students engage in courageous thoughtful conversations about race, identity and community.
“Under his leadership DIA has grown into a dynamic and engaged community with 25-30 students attending weekly meetings. These gatherings are not only well attended, but are deeply meaningful.”
Joshua has also led major school wide assemblies honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Black History Month, while also building partnerships with peer institution to extend his work.
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April 23, 2026