Creating “prism moments”: Sarah Wright on Curiosity, Connection

On Aug. 12, artist, curator and author Endia Beal spent two days with Ravenscroft faculty and staff, sharing her artistic journey, showing examples of her work and discussing how she uses her photography to explore the impacts of bias on individuals, communities and workplaces. 

Here, Interim Director of Community, Culture and Belonging Sarah Wright reflects on the experience — and explores how Lead From Here inspires her, and all Ravens, to create a school community where individuals have “the space to explore all facets of their identity and build deeper connections with one another.”

Navigating courageous conversations is never easy. People often shy away from them out of fear of saying or doing the “wrong thing.” Yet, during our workshop with Endia Beal, our faculty and staff leaned into various topics through the arts.

As a former dancer, I know how powerful the arts can be. The arts serve as a tool to bring people together or challenge our perspectives of the world. The images and colors — or in my world, the movement and music — offer not just entertainment but a way to disarm and engage. Endia Beal created a welcoming atmosphere through her photography and storytelling, making, as she puts it, “the uncomfortable, comfortable.”

Storytelling is an essential part of being an artist. During past performances, I found myself speaking through the lines and motions across the stage rather than using my voice. Everything — from the music to the lighting, from body movements to facial expressions — helped build a bridge between the performer and the audience. The conversations Endia created built a bridge between me as a spectator of her art and the individuals she photographed.

Building bridges between individuals is something I still navigate constantly. As an educational leader, I often ask myself: How do I share my story? How do I provide space for others to tell theirs? How do I facilitate connections between people through stories? How can I be more curious than certain when faced with a challenge? How do I ignite curiosity in others?

Clockwise from top left: Artist Endia Beal leads faculty and staff in a breakout session; Sarah Wright takes notes during a breakout discussion; Wright, third from right, poses with Beal (at top center) and the other small-group facilitators at the close of the workshop’s second day.

The stories we know and the ones we tell ourselves about an individual or situation can either bring us closer together or push us farther apart. Endia addressed this as she shared images of women with various hairstyles, reflecting on the preconceived notions she had about them and their ability to understand some of the challenges she was navigating — only to realize, in the end, that she was wrong.

Ravenscroft is not a community built on sameness. We recognize that people enter our space with diverse beliefs and life journeys. If I want to cultivate an atmosphere where people are kind, curious and courageous, I must first lead and model these qualities myself. “Leading With Others” is not just a phrase; it requires us to put thoughts into action. Storytelling is one of many ways to foster cultural inclusiveness and empathy.

Endia’s workshop was a powerful reminder that we must go beyond simply looking through windows into someone else’s world or using mirrors that reflect our own culture to develop ourselves and our ability to Lead With Others. This concept, introduced by Emily Style for the National SEED Project, challenges educators to evaluate their libraries and lessons through this lens. We must create “prism moments.”

When light passes through a prism, it splits into its component colors. Similarly, when we provide prism moments for individuals in our community, we give them the space to explore all facets of their identity and build deeper connections with one another. This approach nurtures the whole person and fosters an environment where everyone can thrive.

Read more about Endia Beal’s workshop in Artist Endia Beal Leads Two-Day Workshop on Bias, Belonging.