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VOICES
January - March 2024
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Welcome to VOICES, a quarterly newsletter from the Office of Diversity & Inclusion. Our office works closely with academic and administrative departments to further our efforts to create an affirming and respectful climate for all members of our community. We are a stronger community when we can actively listen and learn from those around us who may have different religious and political views, cultural perspectives, or philosophical thoughts. You are invited to view our website at http://www.wm.edu/diversity for additional information on the programs and services offered by the office. We look forward to working together to advance a culture of inclusive excellence at William & Mary. If you have upcoming programs or events you would like to share, please send it to wmdiversity@wm.edu to be published quarterly.
- Chon Glover
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Office of Diversity & Inclusion | |
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Lunch & Learn Series
Inclusive Teaching in Action Join the Studio for Teaching & Learning Innovation (STLI) to gain new perspectives and strategies on syllabus design, student engagement, and assessment. This interactive workshop will start with an overview of inclusive teaching practices, followed by practical applications of strategies shared. Participants will create an action plan for implementing inclusive practices in their spring classes. Finally, STLI will provide an overview of additional resources and support available to support your teaching. Thursday, January 25; 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Register here by January 16.
Neurodiversity: Implications for the Workplace at W&M The goal of this workshop is to give attendees a better understanding of neurodiversity along with suggestions for working with neurodivergent students, staff and faculty. We will offer an opportunity for attendees to work through scenarios regarding potential interactions with neurodivergent individuals in different work-related settings.
Tuesday, February 27; 11:00 am - 12:15 pm Register here by February 19th.
Understanding personality preferences and their impact on belonging Working efficiently and effectively with different personality types is not only crucial creating and sustaining a strong team and healthy work environment but also helps in promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. This session will discuss personality type preferences (such as Myers-Briggs or DISC assessments) to help participants understand different personality preferences and appreciate the value these differences bring successful and inclusive teams. This session will also discuss the influence that culture/cultural identity has on shaping one’s preferences. Led by Issa DiSciullo.
Wednesday, March 20; 12:00 - 1:30 pm Register here by March 12th
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Accepting Nominations for Inclusive Excellence Champions!
Do you know someone who has led creative and innovation programming in diversity and inclusion on campus? The Office of Diversity & Inclusion is accepting nominations for diversity related efforts and programs. Please complete the nomination form here.
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Arts & Sciences Inclusive Inquiry Speaker Series Hosts 2 Day Film Festival
The Arts & Sciences Inclusive Inquiry Speaker Series brings transformational organizations and speakers to our community to explore shared values around DEI, engage with diverse perspectives, and enhance our inclusive teaching and research practices through community dialogue and collaboration. In alignment with William & Mary's celebration of 2023-24 as the Year of the Arts, the 2024 series will host a two-day film festival on February 22 & 23 featuring Cadence Theatre Company's Sitelines BLM ACTION short films. The festival's keynote speaker is director, writer, producer and William & Mary alumnus, Omar Kamara (Economics, '15). Omar's Mass Ave was selected in 2021 as a finalist at the HBO Short Film Competition at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF). His debut feature African Giants will premiere in 2024 at the Slamdance Film Festival. This event is free and open to the public.
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Welcome to the
William & Mary Community!
Daniel Ogunyemi, Director of Inclusive Excellence & Belonging at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)
We warmly welcome Daniel to William & Mary in his new role at VIMS, a world-renowned institute with the tripart mission of research, advisory services, and education. In this role, Daniel is responsible for coordinating a postdoctoral fellowship as well as setting the strategy and vision for inclusive excellence at VIMS. Previously, Daniel served as the inaugural College Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (later changed to Global Engagement & Opportunity) at Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) in Springfield, MO. He is a current Ph.D. student in the Business Psychology program at The Chicago School and obtained his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Evangel University and B.S. in Psychology from Southwest Baptist University. He is married to Ki Ogunyemi and has 3 children.
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Women's Basketball Upcoming Home Games & Events
Join the William & Mary Women's Basketball team for their upcoming home games and events! Find tickets here.
- Friday, January 26, 2024 @ 7 PM v. Hofstra - Pride Night
- Sunday, January 28, 2024 @ 1 PM v. Monmouth - National Girls & Women in Sports Day
- Free Pre-game Griffin Kid's Club Clinic@ 11 AM
- Friday, February 23, 2024 @ 7 PM v. Elon - Black History Month
- Performance during halftime by Emerald Elite Stomp n' Shake Cheerleading Team
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Monthly Lemon Project Genealogical Research Roundtable Discussion
Convened by Dr. Jajuan Johnson, the Lemon Project Genealogical Research Roundtable is a collaboration of genealogists and family historians at all levels of expertise. The session will focus on slavery and post-emancipation eras. Of course, genealogical research leads us down many paths and places, but ties to Virginia are the focus of this group. The roundtable meets monthly with the goals to:
- Discuss genealogical research challenges and find solutions.
- Assist new family historians on how to get started.
- Share resources and research findings.
The Lemon Project Genealogy Initiative focuses on finding descendants of people enslaved by William & Mary. During these sessions, we hope to connect with people who have ties to William & Mary pre- and post-Emancipation. These meetings will be informal, and everyone will be able to contribute. The meetings will be held virtually via Zoom, RSVP here.
Join us in Spring 2024 on the following dates:
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14th Annual Lemon Project Symposium
Join the Lemon Project as we come together in person at the School of Education and virtually via Zoom for the 14th Annual Lemon Project Spring Symposium on March 22-23, 2024. We will explore the theme, "Taking Our Time: Healing Through Black History, Family, and Communities." Registration will open in late January 2024. The 2024 Spring Symposium will explore the following questions: How do we draw from the knowledge of past justice seekers and healers to repair our communities? How do we take time to engage in healing practices? What will Black futures look like as we create space for healing transgenerational trauma tied to discrimination and racial violence? What can institutions do to reduce harm inflicted on Black and people of color? How do we get the country to acknowledge and address the continuing harm of past atrocities?
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Lemon Legacies Porch Talk
Char McCargo Bah will discuss finding descendants of an African American Civil War Cemetery. She will focus on identifying the individuals at the cemetery and the research plan for finding their descendants. In addition, she will construct a profile of the descendant through the research process. The lecture will cover step-by-step research from 1865 to the 21st century. This event will take place on February 6, 2024 at 6:00 pm via Zoom, register here.
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Center for Student Diversity | |
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Join us on Friday, February 2 in Sadler Center’s Slice from 12:15-1:30pm to kick-off Black History Month with a Taste of Soul. Taste of Soul is one of a series of “taste of” events in which the Center for Student Diversity, in partnership with several of William & Mary’s identity-based organizations, curate an array of cultural dishes from restaurants in the area. The spread will feature foods from across the diaspora.
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For Black History Month, we will hold a discussion about the tensions among the Black diaspora and what some of the possible solutions could be. How do we reconcile our unique, but intertwined histories? Join us in the Center for Student Diversity conference room on February 7, 2024 from 12:15-1:15 pm. Lunch is provided. | |
The Center for Student Diversity will be continuing the Mental Health Mondays collaboration with the Wellness Center. This semester’s topics will vary from conversations about body image to navigating toxic family dynamics. Conversations will take place in the Center for Student Diversity’s conference room from 12:00-1:00 pm on the following dates: February 5, February 19, March 4, March 18, April 15 and April 29. Lunch is provided. | |
PLUS Externship Opportunity
The annual PLUS Externship gives sophomore and junior PLUS students the opportunity to shadow professionals in their desired career field. With our partners at William & Mary’s Washington DC location, students will immerse themselves in professional development experiences, learn about Study in DC opportunities and engage with William & Mary alumni all while taking in the history and culture of the nation’s capital. This year’s trip will be held from March 14-16.
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Cherish Your Legacy Event
On December 2, the William & Mary Hip Hop Collection hosted the Cherish Your Legacy event at the Swem library. The event featured networking opportunities, talent exhibitions, and panel discussions with hip hop artists and music industry professionals. The Cherish Your Legacy event, celebrating the importance of preserving the local cultural heritage, was free and open to the public.
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Swem Library, IDEA Grant Recipient
The Swem Library was selected to receive the IDEA Grant to initiate a weekly American Sign Language class. This new endeavor aims to provide an inclusive and educational space for students, faculty, staff, and community members interested in learning American Sign Language (ASL). The pilot program will begin the week of February 5, and details regarding the program will be available soon on the Swem Library website.
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Inclusive Excellence Summit for School-Based Mental Health Providers | |
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The School Psychology and Counselor Education department will host the third annual Inclusive Excellence Summit from 8:30 am-4:00 pm in the School of Education. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Devadrita Talapatra, who will discuss disability in research, training, and practice. Additional breakout topics will include supervising students with disabilities, serving low-income and economically marginalized communities, legal/ethical considerations for school-based mental health, disrupting cultural ruptures, and supporting healthy learning habits among diverse student populations. The summit is offered both in-person and virtually.
Registration & info #mentalhealth #ProfessionalDevelopment
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International Women’s Day Event
To honor International Women’s Day, the School of Education is partnering with local community organizations to host a day-long conference focused on empowerment and community. The day will start with a “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” panel, which will feature multiple, diverse women who are the first in their respective roles or honors. Sessions will include affinity spaces for intersecting identities (e.g., religion, race/ethnicity, sexuality), health screenings, and vendors. The event is hybrid, with in-person and virtual options, taking place on March 8th, 2024 at 8:30am - 6:00pm and will be followed by a reception. Please register here.
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Indigenous Scholar in Curriculum & Instructions
On November 8th, Dr. Brittany Hunt discussed the use of narratives and myths in education that promote cultural erasure of Indigenous communities. Dr. Hunt also provided ways that we, as educators and community members who work with youth, can combat these oppressive practices, discuss the historical context of Indigeneity in education with children, and provide counter storytelling.
Check out Dr. Hunt’s children’s book Whoz Ya People? as an example!
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Workshop: Blackness as a Conceptual Frame for Critical Leadership | |
Dr. Wilson Okello will be presenting a two-hour workshop on Blackness as a Conceptual Frame for Critical Leadership from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm on February 5th, 2024 in the School of Education. The workshop will include in-person and virtual options. Light refreshments will be provided. You can register here.
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Civic & Community Engagement | |
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Apply for $1,000 Community-Engaged Faculty Accelerator
The CE Faculty Accelerator provides training, cohort-based learning, and a minimum of $1,000 stipend to five faculty to strengthen their community-engaged teaching, learning, or scholarship. Complete the brief application (five questions, <500 words total) by February 19. View full details.
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January 2024
Inclusion and Cultural Events Calendar
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New Years Day - The first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar celebrated world wide with gatherings and rituals symbolizing good fortune in the coming year. January 1
Martin Luther King Day - A federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., observed annually on the third Monday of January each year. Martin Luther King is celebrated for his work as a chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism and a champion of the Civil Rights Movement. January 15
Tu B'Shevat - The Jewish holiday celebrated as an ancient earth day typically commemorated annually with tree planting. January 24
Source: Diversity Resources Interfaith Calendar
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February 2024
Inclusion and Cultural Events Calendar
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Black History Month - The month of February is recognized annually in the United States, Canada, and many other countries to highlight the achievements and contributions of important people and notable historic events throughout the African Diaspora.
Ground Hog Day - A popular tradition in the United States & Canada on this day, a groundhog emerges from its burrow, and its behavior is believed to predict the weather for the coming weeks. February 2
Chinese New Year - This celebration of the new year on the lunisolar Chinese Calendar is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. It also influences the Lunar New Year celebrations of nearly 56 other ethnic groups, including Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. February 10
Ash Wednesday - This day marks the start of Lent, a period of approximately 40 days of fasting, reflection, and penance observed by many Christians leading up to Easter. February 14
Valentine's Day - A cultural and religious day celebrating romance and love in many regions of the world, originating from a commemoration day for martyred saints named Valentine. February 14
Parinirvana - This holiday is known as Nirvana Day in Mahãyãna Buddhism, honoring the death of Buddha and his attainment of final nirvana. This event is considered to be the culmination of the Buddha's teachings and his release from the cycle of birth and death. February 15
President's Day - Presidents' Day, also known as George Washington's Birthday, is a federal holiday in the United States that honors the birthdays of George Washington and, in some cases, Abraham Lincoln. The holiday is observed on the third Monday of February each year and is a celebration of all United States Presidents. February 19
Sources: Diversity Resources Interfaith Calendar; Wikipedia
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March 2024
Inclusion and Cultural Events Calendar
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Women's History Month (U.S.) - An annual observance that honors women as critical agents of historical change and celebrates contributions they have made in history and contemporary society.
International Women’s Day - The celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women worldwide and throughout history. March 8
Ramadan (begins) - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. March 11
National Deaf History Month (U.S.) - A month of awareness dedicated to honoring key events in deaf history and celebrating contributions by the deaf community. March 13 – April 15
Saint Patrick’s Day - A celebration of Irish heritage, rooted in the traditional feast day of the patron saint of Ireland. March 17
Holi - A Hindu spring festival also celebrated by non-Hindus, such as Jains, Newar Buddhists, and Sikhs. Originating from the Indian subcontinent has also spread to other areas of Asia and parts of the Western world. The holiday is also known as the "festival of colors" or the "festival of love.” March 25
Good Friday - This Christian holiday honors Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Many different Christian denominations observe this holy day. From noon to 3:00 pm, it is known as the Service of the Great Three Hours’ Agony, where it is believed Jesus died at the cross. The holiday is also known as Great Friday, Holy Friday, Great and Holy Friday, and Black Friday. March 29
Cesar Chavez Day (U.S.) - A day to honor Mexican-American activist, Cesar Chavez. A federal commemorative holiday in the United States, this day pays tribute to the progress Chavez made for farm workers and Hispanic Americans. March 31
Irish-American Heritage Month (US) - Celebrates the heritage and culture and pays tribute to the contributions of Irish-Americans in the United States.
Source: UCLA EDI Calendar
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Do you have news or an event that you would like us to share?
Send your information to the Office of Diversity & Inclusion (wmdiversity@wm.edu)
by the 15th of each month.
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