Black History Month Kickoff

On February 3^rd, 2016, The Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted a Black History Month Kick-Off with special guest Eddie Francis. Eddie Francis is an award-winning mass media veteran and HBCU/Black Greek Life advocate. 

Students were engaged in a dialogue as they explored the impact the media has on historically black colleges. Students were reminded of the importance of self-belief in higher education, goal-setting, inclusion, and the importance of overlooked history. Eddie Francis also emphasized that it is crucial for students to take ownership of their identity,  and the responsibility of correcting the misinterpretation of others in history. For more information about this event, please contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at diversity@tarleton.edu.

 

“Your reaction to adversity determines how successful you will be.” – Eddie Francis 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Reflective Candle Walk and Educational Movie Experience

1.       On January 20, 2016, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion hosted the first “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Reflective Candle Walk and Educational Movie Experience” from 6:00 – 8:30 PM. During this event, students reflected on the importance of the civil rights movement and the accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Students listened to excerpts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech while walking as a unified body around campus. 

       At the conclusion of the walk, students were invited to view the film “Selma”, which captures the impact of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, Martin Luther King, Jr., and John Lewis. 

     For more information about this event, you may contact the Office of Diversity & Inclusion at diversity@tarleton.edu. 

      Additional information and photos may also be found at: http://www.texannews.net/candlelight-walk-honoring-martin-luther-king-jr/

Luigi Iannacci, Pedagogies of Poverty

1.       On November 16, 2015, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion partnered with the College of Education to host “Luigi Iannacci, Pedagogies of Poverty” from 6:00 – 8:00 PM in the Thompson Student Center ballrooms. Iannacci discussed the important role of diversity in American education and the struggles students in America without English as a first language face. He explores the impact privilege has on education and shared tools future educators could use to couple diversity and education.         

     

      For more information about this event, you may contact the Office of Diversity & Inclusion at diversity@tarleton.edu.

Hunger and Homelessness Night Out

On November 14, 2015 the Office of Diversity & Inclusion hosted “Hunger and Homelessness Night Out” from 8:00 PM – 8:00 AM in the Intramural Fields. This experience enable students to experience living outside for a night to raise awareness of the struggles people with home insecurity face on a daily basis. Students reflected on issues such as hunger, limited resources, privilege, and circumstances that affect home security. Students also spent time making hygiene kits to be distributed to people in need. 

      For more information about this event, you may contact the Office of Diversity & Inclusion at diversity@tarleton.edu. 

     

     

         More information about our 

    events for Hunger & Homelessness Awareness can also be found at: http://www.jtacnews.com/news/article_93f66464-88ba-11e5-afed-87ffd4a90347.html

Monti Washington

On November 10, 2015, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion hosted “Monti Washington: From the Streets to the Stage” from 6:00 – 8:00 PM in the Thompson Student Center Ballrooms. This engaging presentation featured the work of Monti Washington, an actor, author, and motivational speaker. Monti Washington told his story of being a product of a one night stand, abused in foster home after foster home, and raised sleeping in parks. He used his challenges to help students gain problem solving skills and provided tips on how to live a more positive life. Student were challenged to delete negative people from their contacts, complement each other, and speak to the crowd about their accomplishments. This event concluded with a Q&A session with Monti. Monti Washington may be followed on Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram @TRU_Motivation, or his Facebook page “Montivation”. For more information about this event, you may contact the Office of Diversity & Inclusion at diversity@tarleton.edu.        

         

" We don't look like our story. They say don't judge a book by it's cover." 

– Monti Washington 

Hispanic Heritage Street Dance

On September 16^th, from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted the Hispanic Heritage Street Dance on the Dining Hall patio. The Hispanic Heritage Street Dance is an annual celebration of Hispanic culture, including music, games, and food. Students were able to enjoy a taste of Ecuadorian chicken soup, empanadas, and polvorones. These dishes are popular in the Hispanic culture, especially in Latin-American countries. Students enjoyed activities where they learned about influential Hispanic celebrities, study abroad opportunities in Latin-America, piñata designing, music, and dancing.

For more information about the Hispanic Heritage Street Dance, you may contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at diversity@tarleton.edu.

Floats and Fellowship

On Wednesday, September 2nd, The Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted an informational session with the Multicultural Ambassadors from 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM in Legends 138. During this session, students were able to learn about why joining the Multicultural Ambassadors is a beneficial experience, as well as the requirements and meeting times for this organization.

Dr. Lora Helvie-Mason welcomed the students and introduced the Multicultural Ambassadors. Each Multicultural Ambassador then shared their personal experiences. Students were able to hear about the volunteer work that Multicultural Ambassadors had done in the past, such as working at the Tarrant County Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity. Students then completed an activity in which they were asked to draw a forest with wild animals without any other instructions. As the activity concluded, Dr. Lora Helvie-Mason signified that each student's drawing was different, because each student thinks differently. The importance of multiculturalism and diversity was emphasized as students were asked to question why an activity with different drawings is relevant to life experiences. As the session concluded, students were given cards that invited them to the first Multicultural Ambassador meeting. For more information about the Multicultural Ambassadors, you may contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at diversity@tarleton.edu.