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Today, I had the privilege of attending the 2023 National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security, inaugurated by Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The event provided invaluable insights into various aspects of school safety, and I was truly engrossed by the program.

During the summit, I was reminded of some enlightening school safety terminologies that shed new light on the subject. Among these, “Cyber hygiene” stood out—a term that encapsulates the practices and steps taken by computer users to maintain system health and enhance online security.

However, the presentation that left an indelible mark on me was titled “Building Connections with Cultural Intelligence,” delivered by Lieutenant Wayland Cubit, Director of Security at Oklahoma City Public Schools. This session delved into the significance of Cultural Intelligence in building trust and relationships, which he believes is at the forefront when it comes to safety and security within the school system and the community in general.

Lieutenant Cubit’s mastery of the subject matter, coupled with his insightful anecdotes, especially the one attributed to his friend, Bob Goff, highlighting the inherent value and dignity of our children, resonated deeply with me. He emphasized that protecting a community begins with understanding its people. He explored the motivations behind people’s resistance and distrust regarding safety and security, drawing from personal stories to highlight the pivotal role of empathy, which is unlocked through Cultural Intelligence.

Cultural Intelligence, as Lieutenant Cubit elaborated, involves the ability to recognize and adapt to cultural differences, providing the confidence to operate successfully in diverse settings. The key takeaway for me was that we cannot protect a community we do not genuinely care for, and we may struggle to care for a community we do not truly understand. This, I believe, lies at the heart of ensuring the safety and security of our precious children—the human element that acknowledges each child’s personhood.

I also found interesting the concept of “Emotional Safety,” which he explained to mean the feeling of security that allows individuals to express themselves authentically. These discussions transformed the discourse on school safety and security from esoteric and technical jargon to a more human-centered perspective, emphasizing the vital role of the community in creating a safe and nurturing environment for our precious children.

The insights from this presentation have given me much to contemplate in my work with people of African descent. It was a breath of fresh air and a powerful affirmation of my perspective on the matter.

The summit concluded with remarks from Jen Easterly, Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, who underscored the collective responsibility we share in safeguarding our children from cyber threats. This collective effort is crucial in ensuring the continued safety and security of our most cherished assets—our children.