Leading with Empathy

On January 19, the Suffield Academy community came together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a profound and memorable chapel program. Andre Bradford, an Austin, Texas-based award-winning slam poet, author, and inspirational speaker, used poetry and storytelling to encourage the community to lead with empathy.

Mari McCarthy ’26 introduced Andre, framing the day as a call to action rather than just a remembrance: “Martin Luther King Jr. Day has never felt like just a history lesson to me. It’s always felt like a moment when we’re asked to look inward before we look back.”

Throughout his chapel talk, Andre emphasized empathy as a daily practice and a powerful force for change. He described empathy as more than just understanding: “The ability to feel what other people are feeling—and the most powerful tool we have to change the world.” Through humor, vulnerability, and deeply personal poetry, Andre encouraged the Suffield community to connect by listening to one another’s stories.

Andre’s closing message was both simple and powerful: “My ask of you is to, as much as you can, lead with empathy for the people around you. You have the opportunity to make this community a place where anyone, from anywhere, cannot just feel accepted, but truly belong. There are three pretty simple ways to do that:

• First, seek their story. Ask specific questions about their life journey.
• Second, be willing to let others show empathy by sharing your full story—not just the highlight reel, but the frustrations, hurt, and self-doubt. This is how meaningful connections form.
• Third, don’t avoid differences—appreciate and celebrate them. Everyone’s life looks different, and that’s what makes life interesting. Even when someone seems very different or even wrong, you still share much in common.”

In addition to speaking at chapel, Andre visited classes including Vocal Ensemble & Staging, Dramatic Literature, and Poetry, engaging students in lively discussions. He also led a reflect and learn workshop and facilitated an evening slam poetry event where students and faculty wrote, performed, and connected through spoken word.

Andre’s message echoed Dr. King’s legacy—reminding the Suffield community that empathy, practiced intentionally, has the power to build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Watch Andre Bradford’s Presentation