Minority Scholars Program Hosts 14th Annual Retreat

Nearly 1,000 middle and high school students attended the 14th Annual Intra-County Minority Scholars Program (MSP) retreat March 15 at Watkins Mill High School. MSP is a student-led initiative that has steadily worked to change the conversation around race, equity and the opportunity gap. MSP now has chapters in every MCPS high school, 30 middle schools and 12 elementary schools.

The retreat featured a talent show and workshops on celebrating differences, handling racism and aggressions, and identifying structural inequities. Students planned, facilitated and led the workshops. There were also discussions on some of the program’s Anti-Racist Film Festival documentaries created and produced by students to push for positive change within schools and communities. MSP alumnus and Walter Johnson High School graduate Jorge Sanchez delivered the keynote address. 

The retreat “proved to be an amazing display of community, student voice and a commitment to equity,” said Michael V. Williams, co-county coordinator of the Minority Scholars Program. Sanchez “captivated the entire audience with his speech calling on the leaders to keep moving, keep fighting and keep the hope,” Williams said. “But surely the fan-favorite moments came during the talent show, which was filled with song, dance and poetry.”

Check out some photos from the event.