Diversity Week

“Cultural Conversations: Celebrating the Social Significance of Ethnicity” is the theme of West Virginia University’s Diversity Week 2021, scheduled for October 10-16.

WVU’s annual Diversity Week endeavors to promote celebration, education, and understanding of different identities and experiences present on our campuses. It’s aim is to create an atmosphere that provides the WVU community, including students, faculty and staff, the opportunity to explore different cultures, engage in discussions that bring new perspectives, and celebrate the presence of, and contributions made by, people of all identities and experiences.

The 2021 theme is designed to provide the WVU community with an opportunity to explore the ways ethnic and pan-ethnic identities lead to shared social, cultural and historical experiences that can be a source of pride and belonging, while also being a source of conflict and prejudice.

The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is putting out a call for proposals from within the WVU community, inviting individuals, colleges, schools, units and organizations to propose events or activities that address this year’s theme.

Submit proposals online by August 27. https://wvu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6MwaxMLR5DvtNum

Questions? Contact amvasquez@mail.wvu.edu

DIVERSITY WEEK FAQ

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If you missed an event of interest during Diversity Week 2020, some of the events were recorded and are still available to view.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Allyship and Advocacy

• ·       Hosted by DEI
• ·       Keynote Speaker: Bonnie Brown Native American Studies Program Coordinator
• ·       Moderator: Aisury Vasquez (she/her/hers), Diversity Outreach Coordinator
• ·       Link to recording

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Oct 11 - 17 Exhibit: Women Beyond Bars (in the Pylons)

• ·       Hosted by Schools of Public Health, Reed College of Media, Honors College
• ·       Description

October 12   Indigenous Peoples’ Day

10 a.m.      Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Allyship and Advocacy

• ·       Hosted by DEI
• ·       Keynote Speaker: Bonnie Brown Native American Studies Program Coordinator
• ·       Moderator: Aisury Vasquez (she/her/hers), Diversity Outreach Coordinator
• ·       Link to recording

October 13   30th Anniversary of the ADA: Advancing Disability Justice

9 a.m.        Race, Science and Power

• ·       Hosted by HSC Office of Research and Graduate Education
• ·       Keynote Speaker: Angela Saini

10 a.m.      Disability Justice, Identity and Liberation

• ·       Hosted by DEI
• ·       Keynote Speaker: Jill Hess, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator
• ·       Moderator: Aisury Vasquez (she/her/hers), Diversity Outreach Coordinator
• ·       Link to recording

Noon         2020 Election Series: The Value of Citizenship

• ·       Hosted by Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
• ·       Speaker: Greg Graham, Associate Professor in the Clara Luper Department of African and African American Studies, University of Oklahoma
• ·       Description

5 p.m.       How to Navigate and Be Successful in a Male-Dominated Industry

• ·       Hosted by Statler College
• ·       Speaker: Laurie Wiegand-Jackson, Board Chairperson, Council on Women in Energy & Environmental Leadership

6:15 p.m.       Advancing Disability Justice on a College Campus

• ·       Hosted by DEI
• ·       Student Panelists: Lauren Florio, Nicolette Edwards, Vanessa Bishop
• ·       Moderator: Aisury Vasquez, (she/her/hers), Diversity Outreach Coordinator
• ·       YouTube Link

October 14   LGBTQIA+ Justice

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.           Poster Display to Showcase Diverse Cultures

• ·       Hosted by School of Dentistry DEI Committee
• ·       Location: Hallway to the right beyond the Pylons, between the School of Dentistry and the School of Pharmacy

10 a.m.      LGBTQ+ Justice: Current and Future Movements

• ·       Hosted by DEI
• ·       Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ellen Rodrigues, Interim Director of the LGBTQ+ Center
• ·       Moderator: Aisury Vasquez, (she/her/hers), Diversity Outreach Coordinator
• ·       Link to recording

11 a.m.      Inclusive Language Training

• ·       Hosted by WVU Health Sciences Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• ·       Description

1 p.m.       Trans SafeZone Training

• ·       Hosted by WVU Tech Diversity

2 p.m.       Voting While Transgender

• ·       Hosted by First Presbyterian Church, Morgantown
• ·       Speaker: Natasha Stone of Fairness WV

4 p.m.       Defining the Future of Diversity in the Workplace

• ·       Hosted by WVU Career Services
• ·       Speakers: Charlotte Swiger, Ryan Stannard, Charrae Rogers
• ·       Description and Link to Recording

5 p.m.       Moving Towards Anti-Racism: Exploring Racial Trauma

• ·       Hosted by School of Public Health
• ·       Keynote Speaker: Dr. Della V. Mosley, PhD, Black queer feminist, scholar, activist and healer committed to liberation
• ·       Moderator: Dr. Linda Alexander, PhD, Senior Associate Dean and School of Public Health Diversity Task Force chair
• ·       Description

6 p.m.       Exploring Inclusion & Exclusion in the American Fraternity & Sorority Movement

• ·       Hosted by Center for Fraternal Values and Leadership
• ·       Speaker: Dr. Matthew Richardson, Director

7 p.m.       Festival of Ideas: W. Kamau Bell

• ·       Moderator: Vice President Meshea L. Poore, Esq.
• ·       Festival of Ideas information

October 15   The History and Importance of Hispanic Heritage Month

10 a.m.      State of Diversity Address

• ·       Speaker: Vice President Meshea L. Poore, Esq.
• ·       Moderator: Aisury Vasquez, (she/her/hers), Diversity Outreach Coordinator
• ·       Link to recording

2 p.m.       VOX: Much More Than Spicy Food, Reggaeton and Salsa

• ·       Hosted by RiseWVU
• ·       Speakers: Mia Sebastian, Niara Cambell, Ellen Rodrigues, Gary Laruta, Aisury Vasquez

3 p.m.       Promoting Inclusive, Safe and Supportive Research Environment

• ·       Hosted by HSC Office of Research and Graduate Education
• ·       Speaker: Dr. Allison Gammie, Director, Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity, National Institute of General Medical Sciences
• ·       Description and Link to Recording

6:15 p.m.       The Legacy and Power of Hispanic and Latinx/e Students

• ·       Hosted by DEI
• ·       Student Panelists: Mia Sebastian, Emma Locarnini, Rachelle Nieto and Alfredo Rodriguez
• ·       Moderator: Aisury Vasquez, (she/her/hers), Diversity Outreach Coordinator
• ·       YouTube Link

7 p.m.       Learn About Islam with the Muslim Student Association

• ·       Hosted by the Muslim Student Association
• ·       Speakers: Nisa Rana, Sarah Zanablis

October 16   Black Lives Matter & Activism for a Just World

9 a.m.        Reflection: Movement and Meditation

• ·       Hosted by the Women of Color Committee
• ·       Facilitator: Alex Fox, fitness instructor and meditation coach – guided group activity 
• ·       Description 

10 a.m.      The Movement for Black Lives and Racial Justice

• ·       Hosted by DEI
• ·       Keynote Speaker: Dr. Amena Anderson, Assistant Professor of Practice, WVU ADVANCE
• ·       Moderator: Aisury Vasquez, (she/her/hers), Diversity Outreach Coordinator
• ·       Link to recording

Noon         Communicating Culture Change

• ·       Hosted by the Reed College of Media
• ·       Integrate Online website

1 p.m.       You Are Enough. A Thousand Times Enough

• ·       Hosted by the Women of Color Committee
• ·       Keynote Speaker: Dr. Maria del Guadalupe (Lupe) Davidson, Director and Academic Coordinator for Social Justice Affairs, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, Woodburn Professor of Women's and Gender Studies
• ·       Description 

2-4 p.m.    Social Justice Summit #1: A Call to Action

• ·       Hosted by the WVU Faculty Senate Inclusion and Diversity Committee
• ·       Registration
• ·       Social Justice Summit Series website
• ·       (Note: This event will continue 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Oct 17)

4-5:30 p.m.     Women of Color Networking Event

6:15  p.m.       The Movement for Black Lives and the Importance of Student Advocacy

• ·       Hosted by DEI
• ·       Student Panelists: Tracey Picou, Camryn Pressley, Ateria Walker
• ·       Moderator: Aisury Vasquez, (she/her/hers), Diversity Outreach Coordinator
• ·       YouTube Link