Thank you for your interest in the 16th annual Lynchburg Diversity Dialogue Day (DDD)! The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities has proudly conducted this program for high school students in Central Virginia for over a decade, and you can find reports from previous programs here. 

The 2025 Lynchburg Diversity Dialogue Day program is will be held at the University of Lynchburg on March 10, 2025 from 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM.

Thanks to support from Centra Health, this program is offered for free! We are asking that schools indicate their interest and nominate student participants by February 7, 2025.

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions below. If you have any additional questions or would like more details about this program, please contact Amanda Hurwitt at [email protected].

We hope to see you on March 10, 2025!

Frequently Asked Questions

What will my students do at the Program?

• This one-day youth leadership forum takes participants through a process of awareness to action.  Students will learn to recognize prejudice and intolerance, and to respect others.  They will work closely with their peers from a wide range of ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Trained facilitators will guide the students through small group learning activities that explore personal experiences with discrimination and develop inclusive leadership skills.

What is my role during the Program?

• We are pleased to offer two special opportunities for educators who attend the Diversity Dialogue Day.  Educators in attendance will participate in a professional development session while students are in breakout sessions.  And, all educators will be added to the recipient list for VCIC’s “Building Inclusive Schools” Monthly Email Update.

What do I need to know about lunch and transportation?

• Each school will be responsible for their own transportation to Diversity Dialogue Day. Once you have registered, you will receive more information with directions to University of Lynchburg and specific parking directions. All students and staff members attending Diversity Dialogue Day will be provided with lunch according to the dietary restrictions listed on their respective registration forms.

How does VCIC make DDD accessible to all?

The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities strives to make Lynchburg DDD as accessible and inclusive as possible while acknowledging the existence of external barriers that may prevent 100% accessibility. VCIC leans into our core values of integrity and openness as we work to provide the most accessible experience for all, while welcoming feedback about what we can do better.

Upon request made at least four (4) weeks before the event, VCIC commits to: 

•  Provide venue layout information including nearest parking and accessible entrances.
• Provide large-print handouts and/or support interpreters brought by schools to accompany student participants.
• Offer a meal accommodating dietary restrictions.

How can I register?

• Click here to register your school. You can register up to 15 students from your school to attend on March 10, 2025. Once school registration is complete, an additional link will be sent to you to be sent to you to be sent to the parents/guardians of your registered students to ensure that your team is fully registered for our program. School registration is due by February 7, 2025.