Muslim Journeys

The Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys is a collection of books, films, and other resources chosen to familiarize the American public about Islam and the cultural heritage of Islamic civilizations around the world. It is intended to address both the need and the desire of the American public for trustworthy and accessible resources about Muslim beliefs and practices and the cultural heritage associated with Islamic civilizations.

The Libraries will sponsor three events in 2013. The first event (a screening and discussion of "Prince Among Slaves") was April 8. There will be two more events during the Fall 2013 semester.  Watch the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf and the Diversity Outreach Calender website for updates on upcoming events.

Keeping Our Faculty of Color Symposium

Transforming Our Institutions: Advancing Inclusive Excellence Among Faculty in Higher Education

April 14-16, 2013

The University of Minnesota is pleased to announce the sixth biennial Keeping Our Faculty of Color Symposium. We invite you to join us as we gather to engage cross-disciplinary theories, rigorous scholarship, and innovative practices to advance conceptual, empirical, and practical work to develop, recruit, and retain faculty of color.

• View the Symposium program

• Register online to attend.

• Print a paper copy of the registration form.

Diversity Through The Disciplines

Friday April 26, 2013        

8:30 AM - 1:30 PM

101 Walter Library

Diversity through the Disciplines is a annual symposium showcasing the research of faculty who have received an Multicultural Research Award (formally President's Faculty Multicultural Research Award) from the Institute for Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy (IDEA).IDEA annually invites proposals for research that addresses issues related to its mission "to transform the University by enhancing the visibility and advancing the productivity of an interdisciplinary group of faculty and community scholars whose expertise in equity, diversity, and underrepresented populations will lead to innovative scholarship that addresses urgent social issues." This initiative is one of several within IDEA that seeks to strengthen community and networking among scholars and researchers on campus. Since 1996 more than 1.5 million dollars have been awarded to140 recipients through the Multicultural Research Award. Diversity through the Disciplines is one way in which IDEA and faculty recipients share their research findings.

For more details, see the Office for Equity and Diversity Events Calendar

In discussions of "diversity," not everyone recognizes that gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation are important points of cultural difference that merit recognition and voice. Members of the University who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer often face isolation, silence, and invisibility. This workshop is an opportunity for participants to learn about GLBTQ identities and communities, and to identify strategies they can employ to create a more open and welcoming campus climate.

Join us for an energetic & informative GLBT Ally 101 Training - open to anyone who wants to learn more about GLBT identities & ways to best serve students at the U.

Outcomes for this training include:
• Increase cultural competency & create inclusive environments for GLBT students at the U
• Explore how the intersectionality of identities (race, gender, class) impacts GLBT identities
• Provide guidelines & tips for creating solid conversations with our GLBT students
• Recognize levels of privilege & unintentional messages we may send to our GLBT students
• Hear stories & create a connection through personal perspectives

Additionally...
• RSVP required by Wed, Sept 19th to Frankie Jader at bfjader@umn.edu
• Room locations will be based on RSVP size

• All trainings are free & RSVP's will receive an email confirmation

THE EXPERIENCES OF

HMONG/ASIAN

PACIFIC ISLANDER

LGBTQA

TUESDAY
APRIL 17, 2012
1:30-3:00 PM

WEISMAN ART MUSEUM
The William G. Shepherd Room

A light reception will follow

This lecture is one

in a series of events for 
Gender Justice Week 2012

More Information HERE!

A discussion on the experiences of Hmong/Asian Pacific Islander 
LGBTQA as well as other current issues that are 
impacting the Hmong community.

Featuring

OSKAR LY
PHENG THAO
and 
MEY CHAU
(Shades of Yellow)

Moderated by Prof. Naomi Scheman

THIS LECTURE IS FREE 
AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

SPONSORED BY

INSTITUTE FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND ADVOCACY (IDEA), 
Shades of Yellow, Asian American Studies Department, 
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally Programs Office 
and 
TRANSGENDER COMMISSION

March 7 STEP UP! Allies for Women's Equity (Workshop)
1:00 p.m., 325 Education Sciences Building
How do you respond to the rumors that women have reached equality? What can you to say when you hear a sexist joke or see unjust treatment? In this interactive workshop, participants increase their knowledge of women's status today, discuss language and privilege, gain assertiveness skills, and practice bystander interventions. Become a more effective ally! Register: www.workshop.umn.edu (Leadership and Advocacy).

March 8 Miss Representation (Film Screening)
6:30 p.m., Theater, St. Paul Student Center 
Miss Representation (90 min; TV-14 DL) uncovers a glaring reality we live with every day but fail to see. Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the film exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film challenges the media's limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman to feel powerful herself. Film followed by discussion facilitated by Dana Schowalter, Department of Communication Studies. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments. Co-sponsored with College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences - Office for Diversity and Inclusion. FFI: www.umn.edu/women.

March 9 Women in Afghanistan: Securing Their Future

6:30 p.m., Atrium, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs

David Cortright directs Policy Studies at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and co-authored Afghan Women Speak:  Enhancing Security and Human Rights in Afghanistan. His talk will address International efforts to assist women and their mixed results: while Afghan women have achieved improvements in their health, education, and economic and political participation, escalating violence has eroded those gains in many provinces. Sponsored by the Center on Women and Public Policy and Women's Action for New Directions: Women Legislators Lobby. Free. Registration info: afghanistanwomen2012.eventbrite.com/.

March 21 Women and Politics Book Group 
5:00 p.m., 205 Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs
The Center on Women and Public Policy welcomes all men and women, students, faculty, and staff, elected officials, community activists, and voracious readers to discuss Obama, Clinton, Palin: Making History in Elections 2008 edited by Liette Gidlow. "Election 2008 made American history, but it was also the product of American history. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Sarah Palin smashed through some of the most enduring barriers to high political office, but their exceptional candidacies did not come out of nowhere. In these timely and accessible essays, a distinguished group of historians explores how the candidates both challenged and reinforced historic stereotypes of race and sex while echoing familiar themes in American politics and exploiting new digital technologies." FFI: www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/wpp/.

March 26 Girls Like Us (Panel Discussion)

7:00 p.m., Great Hall, Coffman Memorial Union

An important prelude to Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, the Aurora Center, along with the Women's Center and others, sponsors this panel discussion regarding issues of race and privilege as it relates to domestic 

trafficking. People of all opinions are welcome! FFI: www.umn.edu/aurora.

March 29 Honoring the Earth, Transforming Our Communities: Winona LaDuke on Environmental Justice
6:30 p.m., Cowles Auditorium, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs 
Internationally acclaimed author, orator and activist, Winona LaDuke will be speaking about her work regarding environmental justice and it's impact on human rights and social justice. Attendees can gain insight regarding questions like: What is environmental justice and what does it have to do with me? How does environmental justice go beyond "going green?" What can I do to affect change in my community? Co-sponsored with the Women's Student Activist Collective and Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies. RSVP: z.umn.edu/winona.   

February is Black History Month

Black Men (and Women) Reading

Wednesdays, February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, 1313 Penn Avenue N, Minneapolis. Sponsored by UMN College of Education and Human Development, Department of Post-Secondary Teaching and Learning

The 23rd National African American Read-In

February 1 - 29

In February 2012, you may hold an African American Read-In event any day of the month. For participation information visit http://www.ncte.org/action/aari/packetinfo

Sponsored by the Black Caucus of National Council of Teachers of English and the National Council of Teachers of English.

African American Read-In and Moore Black Press Present Detroit Poet Legacy Leonard

February 1, 6:30 Р 8:00 pm, NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, 1313 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis. Detroit native, writer, performance poet and activist Chantay Legacy Leonard premiers her first book. This exciting evening will feature a riveting poetry performance from Leonard, from her new book titled, I Have Come Forth by Day: A Woman's Evolution, is heartfelt collection of poems that cope with the struggles, lessons, and triumphs of self discovery, growing into womanhood, finding love and evolving humanity.  Leonard, is one of the founding members of the literary and performance group, Black Ink Collective and serves as the Vice President of Strange Fruits, Inc. a national all woman non-profit arts and performance collective. Leonard's passion for women's expression and development is an inspiration to her book.  Leonard has commanded stages with poetic icons - The Last Poets, Amiri Baraka, and others. She has performed at numerous colleges and universities, festivals, and showcases. Hosted by Thornton (T.J.) Jones and Ezra Hyland http://mooreblackpress.com/

Black Student Union Annual Black History Month Kick-Off

February 1, 7:00 Р 9:00 pm, UMN Coffman Union Theater

Successful Parenting in the Black Community from Birth to Adulthood

February 3, 8:30 am Р 12:00 pm, Metropolitan State University, Auditorium, 700 East 7th Street,

St. Paul. Presenters: Harriett Copher Haynes, Ph.D.; Willie Garrett, M.S., LP, Ed.D.; Bill Allen, Ph.D.; and Willie Winston, Ph.D.

Historically, African American parents raised healthy and successful children. Today's "at risk kids" are a modern phenomenon, a result of social changes in the United States. Black parents raised successful children despite ever present negative influences both internal and external to their communities. Today, successful black parents are virtually invisible in the media, but offer key strategies for helping all families to raise resilient children. A panel of professionals will present on successful parenting from childhood to adulthood. Topics will include the characteristics of healthy black families, raising resilient children, identifying gifted black children, working with interracial families, adopted and adult children. Sponsored by Minnesota Psychological Association 

Givens First Fridays Series, Character of the Collector: African American Literature Collections

February 3, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, UMN Andersen Library, Room 120

The Givens Collection of African American Literature will commemorate Black History Month by examining the character of the collector. What animates the passions of the collector of African American literature? A need to document the achievements and impact of African Americans? To celebrate African American culture? A love of black books? A recent gift of rare African American literature, donated in honor of Penumbra founder and UMN theater professor Lou Bellamy, will be explored to answer these questions. Sponsored by UMN Libraries, Givens Collections of African American Literature

Opening of Givens Exhibit, "Bibliophilia: Collecting Black Books"

February 6 - April 20,  UMN Andersen Library

Sponsored by UMN Libraries, Givens Collections of African American Literature

NOMMO African American Authors Series: Elizabeth Alexander

February 8, 7:00 - 8:00 pm, UMN Humphrey School, Cowles Auditorium

Sponsored by UMN Libraries, Givens Collections of African American Literature

Best known for composing and delivering President Barack Obama's inaugural poem "Praise Song for the Day," Elizabeth Alexander is a poet, essayist, playwright, and teacher. Alexander has published five books of poems, including American Sublime, which was listed on the American Library Association's 2006 "Notable Books of the Year" and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize that same year. Her first young adult collection (co-authored with Marilyn Nelson), Miss Crandall's School for Young Ladies and Little Misses of Color, received the 2008 Connecticut Book Award. Her two collections of essays are The Black Interior and Power and Possibility, and her play, Diva Studies was produced at the Yale School of Drama. She has also composed words for musical projects with composers Elana Ruehr and Lewis Spratlan. 

Black Books Panel Discussion: "Walter Mosley Black Writer"

February 9,  7:00 pm, Rondo Library, 461 Dale Street North, St. Paul

Panelists: Nothando Zulu, Davu Seru, Ezra Hyland and Arleta Little

Incorporating Equity

February 15, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, UMN McNamara Alumni Center, Room 655 West (6th Floor)

Sponsored by UMN Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action

Learn how to incorporate equity and diversity into position descriptions, job performance, and other aspects of your everyday work.

Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha 1st Annual Oratorical Contest

February 16, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, UMN Coffman Union, President's Room

Discussion and Signing by Ezra Hyland: By Any Means Necessary--Malcolm X: Real, Not Reinvented Critical Conversations on Manning Marable's Biography of Malcolm X

February 21, 4:00 - 5:00 pm, UMN Coffman Union Bookstore

Includes writings by: by Haki Madhubuti, Maulana Karenga, Sonia Sanchez, and more

Black Student Union Black History Month Game Show

February 21, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, location to be determined.  Hosted by Atif Lanier

Black Art Jeopardy

February 23, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, Hosmer Community Library, 347 East 36th Street, Minneapolis

Sponsored by Obsidian Arts and co-sponsored by UMN Libraries, Givens Collections of African American Literature

Sigma Science Fair

February 25, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm, UMN St. Paul Student Center

Students will compete for $1, 000 and $500 scholarships at a Science Fair hosted by the Sigma Charitable Foundation of Zeta Nu Sigma Chapter - Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated. This event is designed to provide knowledge and awareness of the contributions of people of color to fields relating to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Local high school juniors and seniors of all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Public, Private, Charter, and home schooled students are all eligible.

Thirty participants will be selected for participation by a small committee including judges and members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated based on creativity of project and display, relevance to the theme (Black History Month), as well as eligibility & adherence to the rules of the science fair. Scholarship winners will receive special trophies from Crown Trophy (http://www.crowntrophy.com/) to go along with their scholarship and sponsors of winning students will receive awards as recognition for participation in the success of this event.

According to an article that was recently published *African American and Latino people make up just 12% of the science and technology workforce. Black History Month has been observed since 1976 as a way to recall and commemorate the achievements and history of Americans of African descent. Its origins are found in what was originally known as Negro History Week, established in the 1920s through the efforts of several African American scholars. Since we live in an era where Black and African American Students often demonstrate disinterest in fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics what better way to celebrate this occasion than by paying homage and bringing awareness to the contributions of African Americans in STEM fields? Scientists like George Washington Carver, Mathematicians and Physicists like Ronald E. Mickens, and Engineers like Mae C. Jemison will all be honored with the presentation of projects that display passion, creativity, and commitment to fields of STEM and African American influences thereof.

This is an all age's event open to the public meant to inform, entertain, as well as uplift the youth of the great state of Minnesota. This is also a call to action for local corporations businesses and educational institutions to invest in the next generation of leaders. Sponsor a Scientist: $200 gives students an opportunity to earn a small book scholarship while demonstrating an investment in the success of the youth in our community. Other sponsorship opportunities include "Carver" or "Quantum" level sponsorship; The Sigma Charitable Foundation asks that your organization assist in reaching goals by sponsoring a number of students who might have the opportunity to change a paradigm in this state that claims African American and Black youth do not achieve academic or professional success as often as the majority in fields of STEM. Your donation is tax deductible.

Please mail your application or contribution to:

Zeta Nu Sigma | BHMSF

P.O. Box 65155

St. Paul, MN 55165 - 0155

Please make your check or money order payable to: Urban Instituted of Service and Learning. Each sponsor will be recognized on the event program and if a sponsored project wins a scholarship that sponsor will be recognized with a plaque. 

University of Minnesota Jazz Festival Concert

February 25, 7:30 Р 9:30 pm, UMN Ted Mann Concert Hall

A concert featuring the U of M Jazz Ensembles and special guests the Hornheads: