Office of Diversity & Inclusion | |
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Hearth Memorial to the Enslaved Vessel Dedication
The Hearth Memorial to the Enslaved has become a gathering place for community reflection. This will be further enhanced with the installation of the symbolic vessel that will hold the fire central to Hearth.
The handcrafted vessel was installed March 18 and will be dedicated at a public ceremony on May 4 at 5:30 pm.
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William & Mary Campus Pride Index Ranking
William & Mary has improved its ranking on the Campus Pride Index (CPI), the national benchmarking tool for measuring a university’s commitment to LGBTQ+ safety and inclusivity on campus. W&M received a 4.5 out of 5, an increase from the 4.0 score received in 2022.
While the 4.5 rating from CPI is a reflection of W&M’s commitment to inclusive policies, practices, spaces, and programs, the increase in our overall score is a direct result of improvements in Academic Life, Housing & Residence Life, and the Student Health Center.
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Women's Network Book Chat
May 4, 2023
8:00 - 9:00 pm
Join William & Mary faculty and staff for a book chat of Nothing But The Truth by Holly James. The discussions are informal, there is no pressure to chat much or prepare anything, you can just listen, and all are welcome. The purpose is to talk about what we liked/did not like in a book, connections we felt or see in our lives, and check in with each other in general.
Click here to register.
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Save The Date!
Juneteenth Campus Celebration
Friday, June 16, 2023
3:00 - 6:00 pm
The Hearth
| Click here for more information about the celebration. | |
Gender & Single Occupancy Restrooms
As part of the university's efforts to provide an inclusive and respectful campus environment that is responsive to the needs of our community, at least one restroom in 90% of administration and academic buildings has been identified as All Gender.
A complete list can be found here.
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May 2023
Inclusion and Cultural Events Calendar
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Cinco de Mayo (U.S.) - Celebrated in the United States as a day of commemorating Mexican culture and heritage. May 5
Vesak - This day celebrates the birth, spiritual awakening and death of Buddha and is observed by Buddhists worldwide. May 5
Mother’s Day (U.S.) - A celebration honoring motherhood and the influence of mothers in society. May 14
World Day for Cultural Diversity - Celebrates the richness of the world’s diversity and highlights the need for intercultural dialogue. May 21
Memorial Day (U.S.) - A day to remember those who have died in military service to the nation. May 29
National Military Appreciation Month (U.S.) - The month of May includes Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 12), Armed Forces Day (May 20), and Memorial Day (May29). This month exists to pay special tribute to the United States Armed Forces and all who serve or who have died in the line of service.
Mental Health Awareness Month (U.S.) - A month to raise awareness about mental health and break the stigma surrounding the topic in your workplace.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (U.S.) - Celebrates the heritage, culture and pays tribute to the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. W&M as well as many other campuses around the country celebrate the month in April because of the academic calendar.
Haitian Heritage Month (U.S.) - Celebrates the heritage, culture and pays tribute to the contributions of Haitians in the United States.
Jewish-American Heritage Month (U.S.) - Celebrates the heritage, culture and pays tribute to the contributions of Jewish Americans in the United States.
Source: UCLA EDI Calendar
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Raymond A. Mason School of Business | |
Last month, the Raymond A. Mason School of Business participated in an experience titled “A Long Talk About the Uncomfortable Truth” designed to provide people with tools to combat racism. The program was open to all employees and Executive Partners (EPs) and had a condensed session for students. Employee and EPs were invited to a two-part series that started with a review of the history of racism and systematic practices that lead to oppression and inequity. Part two unpacked that history and illustrated how some of those same behaviors are still active today while providing participants with the ability to allow grace in conversations by asking questions aimed to help the sender of overt and covert racism to see the flaws in their thinking. The educators, Kamal Carter and Kyle Williams, started this conversation during the pandemic after discussing the events surrounding George Floyd and the effect these situations have on their children. They have taken this program to college campuses and to the boardrooms of major corporations with the message of dismantling racism while sharing the parallels of how the training is effective in combating sexism and other exclusive behaviors. It was a great event that hopefully gave people new perspectives and ways to aid in the dissolution of racism and other negative activities in our communities. | |
Reves Center for International Studies | |
Jessica Nabongo: Intentional Travel
The Reves Center for International Studies hosted writer, photographer, entrepreneur, travel expert, influencer and public speaker Jessica Nabongo on April 11. Jessica delivered the 2023 McSwain-Walker Lecture entitled "Intentional Travel: How Education, Empathy and Confidence will Help You Create the Life You Want to Live." She shared to the audience of around 100 students, faculty, staff and community member her journey as the first Black woman on record to travel to all 195 U.N.-recognized countries of the world in October of 2019. While in the area, Jessica was able to tour Colonial Williamsburg, the Bray School Lab and the Jamestown Settlement.
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New Dean of Arts & Sciences Selected
William & Mary has named Suzanne Raitt as the next dean of the faculty of Arts & Sciences after a national search. Raitt, who holds a chancellor professorship of English at William & Mary, is an award-winning scholar, faculty leader, teacher and administrator. A member of the university community for over 20 years, she has served as acting dean of the faculty of Arts & Sciences since January 1, 2023.
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Featured Exhibit
Charting Diverse Pathways: The First Three Asian Ancestry Women at W&M Charting Diverse Pathways explores the lives of the first three Asian ancestry women to attend William & Mary: Hatsuye Yamasaki Kajiwara ‘37, Margaret Lee Masters ‘45, and Beatrice Fujiwara Sakai ‘53. This exhibit provides historical context to the experiences of these three women to understand the different realities faced by APIA students and the multitude of topics in APIA history. Undergraduate researchers on the Asian Pacific Middle Eastern Research Project team used a mixture of oral history and archival research to compile a holistic view of each woman’s life and experiences at W&M and beyond. On display until May 7, 2023 in the Swem Entrance Gallery.
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You Belong Here: "The Missing Piece"
The School of Education hosted a workshop, You Belong Here: “The Missing Piece,” facilitated by the Inner Peace Coalition. Ti’Juana A. Gholson, Laurence A. Gholson II, and Robin K. Butler lead the SOE community, including our online programs, through an exploration of how we feel when we belong, what drives us, how collaboration works, moving towards healing, celebrating differences, and improving climate. The workshop offered a much-needed chance to find moments of joy while critically reflecting on ourselves and how we interact within our roles at William & Mary. Collaboration with the Inner Peace Coalition will continue in the coming months as the SOE strives to build an inclusive, just community within education.
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Center for Student Diversity | |
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Cultural & Identity-Based Graduate Recognition
Khatalampay: Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern Ceremony and Reception
Sadler Center, Chesapeake Rooms
Thursday, May 18
6:30-8:30 pm
Lavender Graduation Ceremony
Sunken Garden Tent (Rain Location: Unity Hall)
Friday, May 19
9:00-10:30 am
Ceremonia Raíces: LatinX Graduation Ceremony
Sadler Center, Commonwealth Auditorium
Friday, May 19
11:00am-12:30 pm
Hulon Willis Alumni Association & Lemon Project Donning of the Kente Ceremony
Sunken Garden Tent (Rain Location: Unity Hall)
Friday, May 19
1:00-3:30 pm
Spiritual Celebration for the Graduates
Sadler Center, Commonwealth Auditorium
Friday, May 19
3:00-4:00 pm
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The Lemon Project: A Journey of Reconciliation | |
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Spring 2023 Lemon Project Genealogical
Research Roundtable
May 18, 2023
6:00 - 7:00 pm
The Lemon Project Genealogical Research Roundtable is an extension of the Genealogy Show & Tell sessions started as part of our first Sankofa Summer Workshop Series. The 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 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 W&M pre- and post-Emancipation.
The meetings will be informal, and everyone will be able to contribute. The meetings will be held virtually via Zoom, with potential in-person research sessions in the future. Register here to participate.
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Donning of the Kente 2023
The Lemon Project has opened registration for the Donning of the Kente 2023. All graduates (undergraduates, graduate, and professional) are welcome to participate in the ceremony and receive a free Kente stole.
Register now for Donning of the Kente 2023
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Africana Studies Zoom Speaker Series
May 5, 2023
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Dr. Nitisha Sharma
Northwestern University
“Hawaii is My Haven: Race and Indigeneity in the Black Pacific”
Register here
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Muscarelle Reads: Ninth Street Women
May 16, 2023
6:00 - 7:00 pm
As part of its spring Muscarelle Explorations series, Modern Masters at the Margins, join the Muscarelle for a virtual discussion of Ninth Street Women by Mary Gabriel, which chronicles the experiences of five women who dared to enter the male-dominated world of twentieth-century abstract painting — not as muses but as artists.
Museum Director David Brashear will be joined by Gary Ryan, Director and CEO of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, for a Zoom-based discussion of the book. No need to read the book in order to attend — bring your questions and enjoy the discussion!
Click here to register.
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This is the last issue of VOICES until September 2023.
If you would like to be included in the September newsletter, please send your information to the Office of Diversity & Inclusion (wmdiversity@wm.edu)
by August 15.
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