About Culture Jam

Culture Jam is an annual student-led and produced conference focused on diversity. It is designed to empower students to have courageous conversations alongside their peers. Culture Jam offers a safe, inclusive space for high school students to discuss equity-related issues that are present in schools, the Pittsburgh region, and the global community.

Centered on social justice issues and core cultural identifiers such as race, gender, religion, sexuality, socio-economic status, family structure, and more, Culture Jam gives high school students a unique opportunity to connect with one another and learn how to ignite the sparks of authentic change. Organized and helmed by The Ellis School’s Student Diversity League, Culture Jam 2024 will take place on January 12, 2024, marking the conference's 20th anniversary.

This year's theme, Becoming We, focuses on the strength we gain by coming together, even in the face of hardships, as a pathway for growth. The theme will explore intersectionality within our communities and how we can unite to support one another. We aim for participants to feel empowered to confront their negative experiences and to see that solutions are always within reach. Culture Jam serves as a space for people to examine their struggles, find support, and access resources, including affinity spaces that allow individuals to express their thoughts and reflect on the experiences of others. Our goal is to inspire attendees to create meaningful change in their lives and communities.

Our 2025 Culture Jam Schedule

Time 
Activity
Location
7:30–8:10 a.m.
Registration & Music
Upper School Lobby &
Janet’s Gym
8:10–8:20 a.m.
Welcome & Introduction
Janet’s Gym
8:20–8:40 a.m.
Step In Activity
Janet’s Gym
8:40–9:00 a.m.
Snack
Janet’s Gym
9:05–9:55 a.m.
Spectrum Activity
Janet’s Gym
10:00–11:00 a.m.
Panel Discussion
Auditorium
11:05–11:35 a.m.
Affinity Groups Round 1
Various Classrooms
11:40–12:10 p.m.
Affinity Groups Round 2
Various Classrooms
12:15-12:55 p.m.
Workshop Block 1
Various Classrooms
1:00–1:55 p.m.
Lunch 
*Cafeteria closes at 1:30 p.m.
Alumnae Hall
2:00–2:40 p.m.
Workshop Block 2
Various Classrooms
2:45–3:05 p.m.
Debrief
Janet's Gym
3:05–3:10 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Janet's Gym
3:10 p.m.
Dismissal 
Back Lot

*Please note: Schedule is subject to change.

Culture Jam Attendee Pledge

To help make Culture Jam a safe and productive experience for everyone here, I pledge to:
  1. Listen, and keep an open mind to learning from someone new.
  2. Speak, and help educate others about my personal experiences with diversity and judgment.
  3. Care, by being sensitive, respectful, and understanding of others.
  4. Try, by being courageous and patient, and engaging with difficult topics maturely.
  5. Act, by finding a way, great or small, to work against the culture of judgment in my school and community.

About Our 2025 Guest Speakers

List of 3 items.

  • Chris Curd, Founder and Commissioner of the Pittsburgh Flag Football League


    As the Founder and Commissioner of the Pittsburgh Flag Football League (PFFL), Chris Curd brings nine years of experience in league operations and brand strategy to the flag football landscape. Under his leadership, the NFL Flag program has been thrust into a fast track for growth in Western Pennsylvania in the recreational, interscholastic and competitive levels. Through the efforts of a dedicated staff, various strategic partnerships and diligence with respect to marketing, the PFFL is widely recognized as a leader in flag football.

    Chris is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and four-year letterman and scholarship member of the football team. Post college, he was fortunate enough to have a brief stint in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons along with numerous AFL teams throughout his professional playing career. With seven years of experience in the technology start-up community and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business, Chris currently serves as a development consultant for organizations with marketing and branding needs. He and his lovely wife Sharae’ currently reside in Pittsburgh with their three daughters.
  • Steffanie J. Jasper, Executive Vice President, Head of Enterprise Risk Management at PNC


    Steffanie J. Jasper is Executive Vice President, Head of Enterprise Risk Management at PNC. She is accountable for the oversight of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework as well as overseeing the operational management of the Independent Risk Management department and Corporate Insurance. Ms. Jasper has been with PNC for over 20 years and has experience in multiple disciplines including Program Management, Strategic Initiative Oversight, and Operations Management. She also serves as the co-executive sponsor of PNC’s African American Employee Resource Group, influencing the programming delivered to more than 1,500 Black employees in 12 physical and virtual chapters across the U.S. Further, Ms. Jasper is a founding member of the PNC Black Leaders Forum, which fills a void internally where top level, senior Black executives often found themselves in the position of being the “only” in the room, meeting or market. It was created to build a community among of Black senior leaders and to reach back to other Black employees to advocate for the inclusion and growth of all Black leaders at PNC through mentoring, exposure, development, open dialogue, and advocacy.

    In addition to her professional experience, Ms. Jasper is a graduate of the Leadership Pittsburgh class XXIII. She serves on the Board of Trustees for The Children’s Institute, 412 Food Rescue and is the Board Chair for St. Edmunds Academy. She also volunteers time to support PNC’s Grow Up Great and co-leads the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Women United DEI Leadership Committee. As a member of The Links, Incorporated. Ms. Jasper serves women and children in her community most notably through leading the Pittsburgh Chapter’s annual Wellness Symposium for Black Women which brings prominent voices and experts together to share impactful information to improve the physical, mental, financial, and civic wellbeing of Black women in the Pittsburgh region. Ms. Jasper is a Hall of Fame athlete and graduate of Georgetown University with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Government and Psychology and a distinguished graduate of Carnegie Mellon Heinz College with a Master of Science degree in Economic Development and Financial Management. Ms. Jasper was a member of the inaugural cohort who completed The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) program in the Executive Leadership Academy at the Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business. Ms. Jasper has been recognized as a 2022 D&I Advocate of the Year at NC, and 2024 Pittsburgh Business Times Woman of Influence. Steffanie is married to her husband Michael, and they have three children Lauren, Natalie and Matthew.
  • Yazmin Infante Peña, Document Manager for the Office of International Education at Carnegie Mellon University


    Yazmin Infante Peña (Yaz-MIN Een-FAHN-teh PEN-yah, she/her/ella) is a Document Manager for the Office of International Education at Carnegie Mellon University and is one of the co-leads for CMU’s Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance Employee Resource Group. Yazmin was born and raised in New York City and identifies as Afro-Dominican/Dominican American. Outside her work at CMU, she dedicates her time to serving the Latino community through organizations such as ALPFA Pittsburgh where she is one of the Community Affairs Committee Members, and her public speaking brand, The Recovering No Sabo Kid. Her brand highlights the complex identities of American-born Latinos and empowers individuals to embrace their heritage and navigate the journey towards self-discovery with authenticity and confidence.

About the Student Diversity League

List of 3 items.

  • 2025 Student Diversity League Leaders

    President - Zoi Sledge, Class of 2025
    Vice President - Adia Boccella, Class of 2025
    Culture Jam Committee Leaders - Selah Cyrus, Class of 2027, Eve Kilgore, Class of 2026
  • About the Student Diversity League

    The goal of the Student Diversity League at The Ellis School is to provide opportunities for students to learn, dialogue, connect with each other, and take action about issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion both within the Ellis community and the larger world outside Ellis.
  • Student Diversity League Mission

    Members of the Student Diversity League (SDL) are committed to raising awareness about current diversity-related topics in an effort to emphasize the value and beauty of diversity. They encourage open and honest discussion where disagreement is allowed but acceptance is the final destination.

Questions? Please Contact:

List of 1 members.

  • Photo of Denise LaRosa

    Dr. Denise LaRosa 

    Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion