NEWS & NOTES
- Have you seen the slide show running at the entrance of the Multicultural Resource Center? It’s a great way to get the word out about multicultural events on campus! Find out how you can get your event included in the show!
OCTOBER EVENTS
- 6 : :
Contemporary Issues Forum
4 pm in the MRC - 11 : : National Coming Out Day
- 26 : : Human Rights Week begins
Get a PDF of week's events
NOVEMBER EVENTS
- 3 : :
Contemporary Issues Forum
4 pm in EUC Joyner Room - 4 : :
Artist Reception
5 to 6:15 pm in the MRC - 10 : :
Kaleidoscope Open Forum
4 pm in EUC Phillips Room - 18 : :
American Indian Cultural Fair
11am to 2pm in Cone Ballroom AB
DECEMBER EVENTS
- 3 : :
Holidays Around the World
7 to 9 pm in EUC Auditorium
JANUARY EVENTS
- 25 : :
Empty Bowls painting all week!
Call us for schedule and locations - 26 : :
MLK Commemoration
Keynote Speaker Mae Jemison
7 to 9 pm in EUC Auditorium - 28 : :
MLK Commemoration
Interfaith Prayer Breakfast
8 am in Campus Ministries Building
FEBRUARY EVENTS
- 2 : : Contemporary Issues Forum
4 pm in EUC Joyner Room - 3 : : Artist Reception
5 to 6:15 pm in the MRC
OFFICE OF MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
- Nominations of UNCG students qualified for the 2010 MLK Service Award are now being accepted.
- Click here for the qualifications we are looking for.
- Click here for the online nomination form. Deadline for nominations is December 8, 2009.
- Join us for our Kaleidoscope Open Forum at 4pm in the EUC Phillips Room on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. "WHO CAN SAY WHAT?"
- Don't miss our annual American Indian Cultural Fair in the Cone Ballroom on Wednesday, November 18, 2009
- Craft demonstration, storytelling and flute music from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Dance and drumming performances 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
The goal of the Office of Multicultural Affairs Rites of Passage program is to help African American male students to succeed academically, to fully immerse themselves in college life and to enhance their life management skills. It is expected that students will participate in at least four of the six life management workshops and apply the information they learn in service-learning activities during the year. Students will be asked to reflect on their individual transformation — possibly through creation of a journal or presentation to other groups of African American males. OMA will recognize those students who fulfill the expectations at an end-of-year Rites of Passage Recognition Dinner.
Would you like to print a copy of our two-page 8.5 x 14 brochure? Click here to download the PDF.
THE WORKSHOPS
- September 23, 2009:
- "Focusing on Self: Understanding Self Esteem and Self Confidence"
Facilitated by Dr. Brett Carter, Associate Dean of Students
Oftentimes we question self and/or let others influence who we are in terms of our self concept. The purpose of this workshop is to engage participants in informal discourse about self esteem and self confidence and identify areas of personal strengths using self development assessment tools.
COACHING SESSION: "Who are you and what do you want for yourself?" - October 22, 2009:
- "LGBTQ Issues Within Male Communities of Color"
Panelists include Dr. Jonathan Ravarino, Staff Counselor, Counseling and Testing Center; Mr. Louis Graham, Doctoral Student, Public Health; and Mr. Lorenzo Meachum, Lecturer in African American Studies. This forum is held in association with Love Your Body Week.
Co-sponsored by Rho Beta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma
A conversation around issues of Black masculinity as prescribed by mainstream society, the media and hip hop influences, and Black men from varying social strata. Participants will be encouraged to participate in this conversation, and consider the many influences on Black masculinity as it has evolved in the US.We will view the documentary, “Hip-Hop Beyond Beats and Rhymes” and have a conversation around how the issues of female objectification and violence, heterosexism and homoeroticism in Hip-Hop culture shape our view on male identity.- What are some ways to understand lessons of masculinity and its relationship to violence and objectification of women gives men a way to become allies to women in the fight for social justice and creating safer communities?
- What are the effects of attitudes and beliefs regarding race, gender, and sexuality in communities of color on LGBTQ persons of color, as well as the need to better recognize parallels in oppression?
- How does this impact intersectionality, the role of community institutions, and psychosocial health of LGBTQ persons of color?
- November 11, 2009:
- "Understanding and Managing Strong Emotions"
Facilitated by Dr. Jonathan Ravarino, Staff Counselor, Counseling and Testing Center; and Dr. Lori Hinsley, Staff Counselor, Counseling and Testing Center
Co-sponsored by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Many individuals have a relationship with their emotions that include embracing the good and rejecting the bad. Although this rule for emotion might appear to make sense, it also leaves us vulnerable to feel hijacked by strong emotions when they emerge in our life. Primary emotions such as fear, hurt, sadness, and shame tend to not play by the rules of emotion and when not managed can lead to feelings of anger, depression, or anxiety. Managing strong emotions includes developing an awareness of our emotions, finding a way to honor and accept our emotions, and gain the confidence and skills to express an emotion in non-destructive ways. This workshop on "Managing Strong Emotions" will include addressing the three pillars of emotion regulation with special emphasis on recognizing, validating, and expressing emotions resulting from experiences with racism and cultural discrimination.
COACHING SESSION: "What's holding you back?" - February 9, 2010:
- "Black Love Relationships"
Facilitated by Dr. Ebony Utley, Professor of Communications, California State University, Long Beach, CA, and Dr. C.P. Gause, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations
Co-sponsored by Rho Beta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
A "3-sides" conversation with Q & A focusing on heterosexual, same affection, and other love relationships that African American males are engaged in.
COACHING SESSION: "Where do you want to go?" - March 31, 2010:
- "Alcohol and Drug Educations"
Facilitated by Ms. Kim Sexton-Lewter, Alcohol and Other Drug Program Coordinator, Wellness Center
This interactive workshop, we will cover a brief pharmacology of alcohol and other drugs common to the college population. As well, participants will learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of use and abuse and effective methods for intervening with someone they suspect may have an alcohol or other drug related problem. Often people, particularly students, feel helpless when interacting with a friend, roommate, teammate or relative who may be experiencing an alcohol or other drug problem. Many often believe they can only have a very limited impact on their peers drinking behavior. This workshop will introduce you to methods that will help you effectively address alcohol or drug related concerns, confront and prevent many of the dangerous behaviors associated with it.
COACHING SESSION: "How can you get where you want to go?" - April 14, 2010:
- "Presenting Yourself to the Job Market"
Panelists include Dr. Kwasi Amoako-Gyampah, Professor and Chair of Information Systems & Operations Management; Ms. Elisabeth Doggett, Career Counselor, Career Services Center; Mr. George Clopton, Vice President of Distribution, Polo Ralph Lauren
Co-sponsored by Rho Beta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Learn about opportunities for minorities in graduate education, the importance of graduate education, and how to prepare for graduate school and the admissions process. Information will be presented on the resources and services the Career Services Center has to help you build your professional image, market yourself to potential employers, and sharpen your career skills. Learn about criteria managers use to evaluate employees in their hiring, promotion, and performance evaluation processes.
COACHING SESSION: "How can you make a difference?"
All workshops will take place in the Multicultural Resource Center from 5 pm to 6 pm.
For more information about the Office of Multicultural Affairs Rites of Passage program, contact Jeffrey Coleman, Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs, by calling 336.334.3702 or emailing jeffrey_coleman@uncg.edu.
THE SERVICE-LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Option 1: Year-long service project
Students will gain some leadership skills through service-learning, group coaching, and identity transformation reflection through participation in the YMCA Black and Hispanic Achievers Program. They will be trained to volunteer in the capacity of mentors to Black youth in grades eight through twelve. Participants in Rites of Passage will improve their leadership skills as they work with high school students to develop leadership skills and success in school. Mentors must commit to one Saturday a month and will have the option to participate in more activities if they are interested. This is a collaboration between the Center for Creative Leadership and the YMCA to help Achievers based on training given to executives around the world. Participants will improve their active listening skills, enhance their ability to give and receive feedback, increase their understanding of younger generations, and gain a greater appreciation of different perspectives.
Participants must attend one of the following mentor training sessions to be held at the Center for Creative Leadership:
- Saturday, September 12, 2009, from 9 am to 5 pm
- Saturday, October 24, 2009, from 9 am to 5 pm
- Wednesday, October 28, 2009, from 1 pm to 8 pm
During this training they will learn how to develop an effective helping relationship as a mentor by being a resource for young people, sharing experiences, participating in learning activities, and basic skills in leadership (e.g. how to listen effectively, communicating, asking good questions, developing leadership in others). Rites of Passage participants must also attend the orientation experience for youth, families, and volunteers on Saturday, September 19, 2009, from 10 am to 3 pm at the Center for Creative Leadership. Mentor sessions will begin the first weekend in October and will continue on the first weekend of each succeeding month. Mentors will be on site from 9 am to 2 pm for each session.
During the spring semester, Rites of Passage participants will design a session for the young men in the Young Achievers program to be presented in March.
Finally, students will participate in a group coaching component where they will connect the information they learn in their life management workshops to their experiences mentoring Black male high school students in the YMCA Black and Hispanic Achievers Program and reflect on their individual identity transformation throughout the whole process.
Option 2: Semester-long service project for students starting in the spring semester
A semester-long service project at the community agency listed below. Students will participate in a group coaching component where they will connect the information they learn in their life management workshops to their experiences at their community agency and reflect on their individual identity transformation throughout the whole process.
Agency: The Servant Center
Mission: To serve disabled homeless men through transitional supportive housing (2 years) via the Servant House. To serve disabled through area hospitals and clinics. To serve low income elderly through the Grocery Assistance Program and Food Pantry by delivering a bag of groceries once a month. To serve low income elderly and disabled through permanent housing and supportive services via Glenwood Housing.
Contact: Gail Haworth, Executive Director, 1312 Lexington Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27403 Phone: 336.275.8585, Email: gailhaworth@aol.com
THE RITES OF PASSAGE RECOGNITION DINNER
Invitations will be issued to those who fulfill the expectations of the Rites of Passage program, attending four or more of the workshops and participating in at least two service-learning opportunities.