Diversity (Virtual) Events Calendar – Fall 2020
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage (“HLH”) Month at WCSU
An official celebration of those American citizens whose ancestry can be traced back to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. The tradition of the Hispanic/Latinx Heritage celebration started out as a week-long event in 1968. Twenty (20) years later, in 1988, the celebration expanded to dedicate a whole month starting and ending in the middle of the month and inclusive of the Day of the Dead (“Dia De Los Muertos“) on November 2nd, to represent a traditional event in Mexico paying homage to loved ones who have past on. Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic/Latinx Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
The celebration will take place between September 15th and October 15th and up to November 2nd. The 15th marks as the independence day of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. While Mexico, Chile, and Belize follow shortly after on the 16th, 18th and 21st respectively.
Unfortunately, many in-person events and cultural traditions have been cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The internet has no shortage of virtual resources for observing this special time at home or in the online classroom. Featured below are the many virtual options for learning about and honoring Hispanic and Latinx culture in 2020.
Take a Virtual Tour
2018 Young Ambassadors Program participants and representatives from Ford Motor Company Fund stand in front of the Smithsonian Castle. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Latino Center. Photographer, Michael Barnes, Smithsonian Institution.
The Smithsonian Latino Center (“SLC”): latino.si.edu
SLC is responsible for a wide variety of education and inclusion efforts in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s multiple museums and research centers. The numerous online resources include the Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum, which describes itself as a “trans-media hub for 2-D and 3-D collections, online games, simulations, virtual worlds, and innovative programs in real-time, highlighting Smithsonian art and science collections.”
Google Arts & Culture: Latino Cultures in the U.S.: artsandculture.google.com/project/uslatinocultures
Launched in 2017 in partnership with museums and organizations across the U.S., the Google Arts & Culture online collection is organized into the categories of film, sports, dance, music, tradition, and style. The site also highlights specific aspects of the Hispanic and Latinx experience, such as an online exhibit of queer Latinx culture and an oral history project on Hispanic and Latinx life during World War II.
Grupo de Artistas LatinoAmericanos (GALA) Hispanic Theatre: galatheatre.org
The GALA Hispanic Theatre in Washington, D.C., recently launched a new digital strategy, GALA En Familia, so that users can engage with Hispanic and Latinx performing arts from home. The site offers portions of performances, monologues, and readings paired with lectures and interviews from the actors, directors, and playwrights featured in each clip. All videos are in Spanish with options for subtitles in English and other languages.
Argentinian artistic duo, Leo Chiachio and Daniel Giannone with their Pride Flag installment at the Museum of Latin American Art. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Latin American Art
Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA): molaa.org
The MOLAA is the only U.S. museum fully dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latinx art. Physically located in Long Beach, California, the museum makes it easy to navigate its online materials via the MOLAA En Casa web page. Users can view online exhibits and pieces from the museum’s permanent collection, take video tours, and more.
Virtual Event: California Culture: History, Poetry, and Music
with Dr. Gloria Arjona, Caltech and Long Beach Council for the Arts
Thursday, September 24th, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Division of Academic Affairs and the Western International Center
WEBINAR: “Invisible Immigration: Spanish Immigrants in the U. S. (1868-1945),” Dr. James Fernandez, NYU, October 22, 12:30-1:30. Please click: https//wcsu.edu.webex.com/meet/bakhtiarovac to access the virtual event.
Resources from The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum : https://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/?loclr=twloc&fbclid=IwAR3chJgCF1ecp-bFh4D6BVQoHZafnPSiDyUC0pXtLgL7WLqCrwn3BZgCQ38
Virtual Discussion: Diversity in the Workforce
Bringing Success and Professionalism to a Changing World of Work
Thursday, October 1st, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the WCSU Career Success Center and the Office of Diversity and Equity
The entire campus community is invited to this engaging virtual panel. Diverse panelists will express some very important perspectives for employment transitions and opportunities in today’s working world. There will be time for attendees to ask questions of the panelists. All students MUST RSVP in Handshake (www.wcsu.edu/handshake).
Faculty and classes who would like to attend should contact hoyc@wcsu.edu for log on information. Also in late-breaking news: we have additional panelists who will share on accessibility challenges in the workplace. For better focus and added security, the panelists and moderator will be the only attendees shown on the screen.
Virtual Event: Faculty Development Workshop
Racial Trauma and Stress
Thursday, October 8th, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Eastern Connecticut State University
Race-relations are at the forefront of the national conversation, and yet, many university leaders have not been socialized to have effective racial dialogue. As an expert in racial trauma and effective racial dialogue, Dr. Broderick Sawyer, an expert in racial trauma and stress (and an alumnus of Eastern Connecticut State University), utilizes education on historical dynamics, emotion regulation, and racial socialization to prepare workshop attendees to hold space for racially explicit dialogue. In this workshop, Dr. Sawyer will:
- Discuss the historical context of race-based stress and trauma,
- Describe how historical contexts stall effective communication,
- Describe how emotion regulation tools assist in positively changing harmful racial dynamics, and
- Teach strategies relevant to the university teaching experience. With an added background in mindfulness and compassion practices, training in present moment awareness will be interwoven throughout the workshop.”
This workshop is free of cost and will be conducted via Zoom. Please RSVP using the below link for attendance and access to the workshop: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=6Eq8AGxX40WUnU8SnYtnCua-hUi-VP5IrbAvbohKmbFUMzIzR1AxSzZQT1ZaVFA1WUxJMEk0RUNDSS4u
Dr. Sawyer has agreed to record this workshop and to make the link to the recording available after the workshop. Dr. Sawyer has also offered to respond to questions during the workshop and anonymously. If you would like to contribute an anonymous question, please use this link to submit questions anonymously before October 2, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=6Eq8AGxX40WUnU8SnYtnCua-hUi-VP5IrbAvbohKmbFUN0c0TUhDUTcyTkczTjQ2U0NDWEk0SVhFSS4u
Race Around the World Virtual Run
Saturday, October 24th, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
New York City, Anywhere in New York City
Andale! Challenge yourself with a new fitness goal, while also supporting the WCSU efforts to promote Hispanic Heritage Month. With this virtual run, participants will receive a virtual packet with a commemorative postcard with your own photo in it.
Run a 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon, Marathon, or any other run distance anywhere, any place on your own time and route! For Full packets, you can opt to get one of our newest inspirational designed shirts, masks, or other running gear in lieu of our standard packets! Just email us at ode@wcsu.edu and we will sponsor your attendance. You will also select a shirt your size and color to be shipped with your full packet:
https://www.thebestraces.com/quarterly-custom-virtual-runs/
Earn our “In This Together” Postcard once you finish your run or pick your own postcard of either your destination or a motivational card below:
https://www.thebestraces.com/postcard/
If you post your postcard on Social Media and tag 5 friends, BestRaces.com will send you a free gift!
Virtual Run: What Is It? And 11 Reasons Why You Should Run one in 2020
https://www.thebestraces.com/virtualraces2020/
Run a 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon, or Marathon and experience a new place virtually. Experience a new destination each month with our monthly virtual run and travel option here:
https://www.thebestraces.com/around-the-world-race/
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/run-nyc-virtual-marathon-tickets-119274538355?aff=erelexpmlt
Domestic Violence Awareness (“DVA”) Month at WCSU
Domestic Violence Awareness Month takes place every October. It evolved from a Day of Unity first observed in October, 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates for survivors of abuse across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a range of activities were conducted at the local, state and national levels, and has since grown to become a federally observed month of awareness and action on domestic violence.
Across the country, families and friends of victims have gathered during Domestic Violence Awareness Month to remember and honor their loved ones who have lost their lives at the hands of a person they once loved and trusted.
Unfortunately, many in-person events and cultural traditions have been cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The internet has no shortage of virtual resources for observing this special time at home or in the online classroom. Featured below are the many virtual options for support services, engaged learning and bringing awareness to this month:
Announcement(s):
Division of Student Affairs, Sept. Issue “The Handout” Newsletter
Please click here to read this latest edition and get acclimated with the important information on the WCSU campuses this Fall semester.
The Office of Counseling Services Fall 2020 Newsletter
Please click here to read the first edition newsletter that highlights both in-person and virtual activities and offerings through the Office of Counseling Services.
Announcement: REAL Talk Support Group
Sponsored by: The Women’s Center for Greater Danbury
REAL Talk is the Women’s Center on Campus’ weekly video series, featuring conversations about Relationships, Empathy, Advocacy, and…Life! Our Manager of Campus Education & Outreach, Cara Mackler, and our Director of Campus Counseling & Advocacy, Sydney Trezza, will discuss topical issues related to interpersonal violence and new episodes will be posted every Tuesday at 5pm. You can view REAL Talk on IGTV at @wcogd_oncampus or on our Facebook page at The Women’s Center on Campus via YouTube.
Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlEa4evgxPs
Episode 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0qgkJVPqoc
Episode 3: N/A
Episode 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grThd3nrJRA
Announcement: Students of Color Supporting Each Other (SCSEO) Drop-In Group
Sponsored by: The Office of Counseling Services
This is a support group for students who self-identify as per- sons of color. The group provides a safe space for students to share and discuss their experiences related to but not limited to race and ethnicity, their identity, discrimination and bias, stress management, academic stresses, self-advocacy and empowerment. The purpose of the group is to celebrate the diverse cultural background of members and find strength among one another to overcome life challenges, personally and academically.
Facilitated by Rée LeBlanc Gunter, PhD.
When: Every other Friday @ 1:30 – 2:45 p.m. (9/11, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4)
**Please note: If interested in participating, please contact Counseling Services for more information at counselingservices@wcsu.eduor (203) 837-8690.
Announcement: Support for Being an Ally and More – Monthly Chats
Sponsored by: The Office of Counseling Services
Understanding what it means to be an Ally for racial justice is one of the many ways white students can help fight racism. Join us for a workshop to learn how you can make a positive changes. Facilitated by: Kelly Copeland, Psy.D. and Rée LeBlanc Gunter, Ph.D.
Part 1: Increase your understanding of individual, institutional, and systemic racism, as well as the meaning of white privilege.
When: October 13, 2020, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
WebEx URL:wcsu.webex.com/meet/counselingservices
Part 2: Learn how to use your privilege in an action-oriented way to create anti-racist change.
When: October 20, 2020, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
WebEx URL: wcsu.webex.com/meet/counselingservices
Announcement: Speak Your Truth: Roundtable Discussions
Sponsored by: SUOAF-AFSCME Minority Recruitment and Mentoring Committee
These scheduled virtual discussions are to allow participants to engage difficult conversations about community involvement and the recognition of change needed on campus.
Please click here to view the upcoming event(s) scheduled. These virtual discussions are open to the public.
Virtual Activity: One Love October Challenge
Virtual Event(s): Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Advocacy in Action: Promoting Justice, Creating Change
Documentary Feature: The Alyssiah Wiley tragedy
in advocacy of Domestic Violence Awareness Month
In a phone interview , Martin said that while she may not have been ready to tell her story on camera, she knew it was something she had to do. “I was completely skeptical because we as black and brown women are not treated and depicted the way we should be or respected in the media the way we should be,” Martin said. “But after talking with one of the executive producers, she assured me it would be done very respectfully with sensitivity to myself, my family, and our devastation.”
She continued, “I knew I had to speak on behalf of my daughters (Alyssiah Wiley, a ECSU student, and Chaquinequea Brodie) and my granddaughter (My’Jaeaha Richardson). But (doing the show) was also to be an example to women that we have to be extremely careful (with dating and domestic violence), especially our black and brown women.”
Hailing from West Haven, Connecticut, Martin’s harrowing story began in early 2013 when her daughter Alyssiah, who was in college, was murdered and dismembered. After it was discovered that Alyssiah suffered from a pattern of abuse by a boyfriend, just a few short months later Martin set up the domestic violence program Mothers of Victim Equality (M.O.V.E. Inc.) to help other victims. Please watch this documentary to be more aware of the dangers of Intimate Partner Violence and the affects and traumas that occur from such tragedies when it is not reported.
Virtual Event: Coffee with the Council
A Campus Discussion on Cultural Awareness and Community Engagement
Tuesday, October 20th, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Virtual Event: Art21 (Art in the Twenty-First Century) Session 10
Wednesday, November 5th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sponsored by the WCSU Art Department
The WCSU Department of Art presents this free virtual screening of Borderlands, as part of the Art21 series. A discussion and Q&A will follow with Borderlands featured artist, Tanya Aguiñiga, along with WCSU Professor of Art, Sabrina Marques, and Professor of Sociology, Dr. Carina Bandhauer.
Reserve your spot now!
Virtual Event: Ask an Advocate
Wednesday, November 12th, 2020
Sponsored by the Women’s Center for Greater Danbury
Ask an Advocate is an Instagram virtual event that give students an opportunity to connect and ask any questions about how members of the Women’s Center for Greater Danbury can best support them and advocate for them on campus.
Please click here to view details on the event. For more information, please contact Sydney Trezza, Director of Campus Counseling & Advocacy either by phone at (203) 837-3939 or by email at sydney.t@wcogd.org or trezzas@wcsu.edu. Contact made with a member of the Women’s Center for Greater Danbury will be kept confidential.
Virtual Event: WCSU INTERNATIONAL WEEK
Monday, November 16, 2020 to Friday, November 20, 2020
Sponsored by the WCSU WIC Committee
This week marks events that promote and educate on the value and importance of International Studies and cultures from across the world. For a listing of program(s) and event(s), please click on the below link to get a confirmed schedule and registration: https://padlet.com/bakhtiarovagalina/dntqowcxy5fu3iey
Virtual Event: “Celebrate! Agitate! Organize!” featuring Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
Author of The Undocumented Americans
Thursday, December 17th, 2020, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Connecticut Students for a Dream
The Connecticut Students for a Dream will be hosting a special event called: “Celebrate! Agitate! Organize!” featuring Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, author of The Undocumented Americans. Karla, New Haven resident, Ph.D. candidate at Yale in American Studies, and 2020 National Book Award finalist will be joining the group for a conversation about her book, life, and the urgent need to challenge narratives and shift the paradigm around education, migration, trauma, mental health, and the undocumented experience.
Please join this event to get inspired for the next decade and beyond in our movement. The event will be hosted on Thursday, December 17, 2020 from 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.
You can purchase a ticket here: http://bit.ly/C4Deducators or if you cannot attend, please consider making a donation to support our work here: bit.ly/DonateC4D10Years.