“United Voices has to be a space where children can see themselves, respect themselves, and love themselves. That has been our mission since day one.” – Olugbala Williams, Pre-Kindergarten Head Teacher and United Voices Co-Facilitator

Affinity Groups

The Lower School’s United Voices affinity group, open to Kindergarten to Grade 4 students, provides a supportive space for children to build a healthy sense of self, examine the world around them, and appreciate the value of their own stories and the stories of others. An affinity group is a group of people who share interests, challenges, cultural backgrounds, and who support one another. People who make up an affinity group may share a common identifier, such as race, gender, religion, family status, or sexual orientation. Affinity groups are often organized based on principles of non-hierarchy and autonomy, as outlined in Seeds for Change: “Decisions are made directly within the group by all its members, and responsibility and power are shared so that everyone has an equal voice.”

Community building and collaboration in United Voices is fostered through creative activities that emphasize fellowship, active listening, engagement, and awareness. There are many organic opportunities for profound resonance and ways to celebrate one another and one’s heritage. 

Fitting In and Belonging

There is an important distinction between fitting in and belonging at school; belonging is about self-esteem and a strong understanding of their own story and background as foundational, whereas fitting in relies on how one is perceived by others. In United Voices, students participate in self-exploration and community building. Children are encouraged to share their cultural practices, develop language to articulate their identities, find affirmations, and ultimately build confidence. The affinity group also provides an opportunity for social and emotional growth. Students learn to embrace dialogue, active-listening skills, and develop the ability to recognize the vitality of differences and cross-cultural exchange. 

As Learning for Justice, a community-education program that’s part of the long-standing civil rights organization, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) explains, “Students need to be able to be themselves at school—and that’s where affinity groups come in. A group of students who share an identity are going to relate to each other in ways they can’t with peers who can’t or don’t understand their experience. It’s about safety and, in some cases, about fundamental issues of injustice.” At Poly, it is essential that students, from their earliest educational experiences, feel that their differences—their cultures and personal stories—are affirmed, celebrated, and that they are empowered to create meaningful change in the world. The school provides access to resources and opportunities that allow students to explore their identities more deeply, enriched by meaningful and inspiring experiences both within and beyond the classroom.

Artistic Expression and Changemaking: Elizabeth Catlett Exhibit 

Embarking on the first United Voices field trip on Thursday, January 9, students, parent-chaperones, and facilitators Kindergarten Head Teacher Kim Davis, Grade 4 Head Teacher Aiyana Parker, Grade 1 Head Teacher Josie Paul, and Pre-Kindergarten Head Teacher Olugbala Williams visited “Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist and All That It Implies,” an exhibit of over 200 works by the sculptor and printmaker, feminist, and lifelong social justice advocate, at the Brooklyn Museum.

As older Lower School students guided younger peers through the exhibit with care, supported by attentive parent-chaperones and facilitators, they were all moved by the powerful and beautiful works of Elizabeth Catlett. Throughout her career, the artist was deeply committed to her community in the U.S. and later in Mexico. Catlett created art in homage to Black people, particularly Black women, and used her work to raise awareness about injustices impacting the community, blending artistic expression with on-the-ground activism. 

The art exhibit served as a real-world extension of the work United Voices has been exploring in the classroom. “This year, we have been focusing on changemakers—defining the term, examining key examples, and distinguishing between changemakers (heroes) and celebrities,” said Williams. “This exploration has been ongoing for months, and when Kim and I recently saw Elizabeth Catlett’s inspiring exhibit, we were so moved by her accomplishments that we immediately wanted to share her socially conscious artwork with the group. She is a perfect example of a changemaker who resisted and rebelled for six decades.”

As shared in a recent newsletter to families of United Voices students, the experience deepened the group’s understanding of changemakers in art, social justice, and science. Catlett’s work, rooted in themes of identity, activism, and resilience, left an indelible impression on everyone who attended. The exhibit highlighted Elizabeth Catlett’s dedication to using art as a powerful medium for storytelling and advocacy. Through her work, students learned about uplifting the voices of marginalized communities and her belief in the transformative power of creativity. The affinity group’s field trip to the exhibit was not only a milestone for United Voices, but a true celebration of Elizabeth Catlett’s legacy.

Student Reflections 

“[Elizabeth Catlett] didn’t just do it because it was pretty. There was a meaning behind it. She was compassionate. She knew that it was more important than being pretty or popular art. If you do something, there should be a meaning behind what you do.” – Lark D. ’33, Grade 4 

“She was doing it because she was fighting for her rights. She also did it to say to her people ‘I see you.’” – Mason G.  ’33, Grade 4

“She made art from different situations. It felt different because I never really saw that kind of art. It was new to me.” – Camden R.  ’33, Grade 4 

“I like how she told the stories of Black people.” – Lucia R.  ’35, Grade 2 

Parent Testimonials 

“The Celebration of Elizabeth Catlett exhibition at Brooklyn Museum was such a meaningful experience for the kids of United Voices. Seeing the awe on their faces as they discovered sculptures and prints that echo their history and experiences reminds us how important it is to create these moments of connection. Representation matters deeply. Experiences like this show our kids that their voices and perspectives don’t just belong in the classroom—they belong in the broader narrative of history, celebrated art, and in shaping the future. [The] visit gave them a tangible way to see themselves as creators and contributors, with legacies worth honoring. My son came home inspired, filled with questions and reflections.” – Dayna Hall Carter, P ’36, ‘38 

“I remain grateful that my children are part of a school community that provides unique experiences that support personal growth and self-affirmation and celebration of their heritage and culture.” – Chrystal Stokes Williams, P ’32, ’37

“I had the great fortune last week of chaperoning the United Voices trip to explore the Elizabeth Catlett exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. In short, it was an incredibly special experience. The art was both striking and thought-provoking, and it was such a delight for me to witness these growing minds take it all in. There were so many observations and questions, like ‘her face looks like she’s sad,’ and ‘why is there webbing in between her arms? What is that for?,’ that arose from the students’ interest and curiosity. 

Additionally, it was really special for the range of grades to be able to experience this together. My visits to school are typically just with my son and his classmates, so watching the bigger students help the littlest ones navigate the space was a wonderful reminder of how Poly encourages community and leadership at a young age. United Voices is such an important anchor for these students who are in the early stages of building self-identity and self-awareness. Paul and I are so grateful that our son  is a part of a school community that values and prioritizes experiences like this. Many thanks to Olugbala, Kim and Josie for organizing, and many thanks to you for supporting such a meaningful effort. We look forward to more United Voices field trips in the future!” – Brandi Shipp, P ’36