Straight Outta Africa

The African Student Union presents Straight Outta Africa at 7pm on Saturday, November 14th. The event will include a fashion and talent show. Held in the EUC Auditorium, doors open at 6:30 pm. $5 for UNCG students, $7 for non-UNCG students.

For more information please contact asuuncg@gmail.com

Spartan Stories: Dark Shadows, Deep Closets: A LGBT History Month S...

Spartan Stories: Dark Shadows, Deep Closets: A LGBT History Month S...: When reflecting upon events that serve as vehicles for social consciousness, a library book display is unlikely to rate as an impactful m...

The Status of Black Women and Girls in the U.S.

The African American & African Diaspora Studies (AADS) program at UNCG will host a Conversation with the Community on “The Status of Black Women and Girls in the U.S.” on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 6-7:30 p.m. in the UNCG Curry Auditorium, Room 225. Join a discussion on the status of Black women and girls in the United States. Students, faculty, and community members will discuss the social, economic and cultural forces that shape the lives of Black women and girls, and how they are responding to these forces.

Deaf Kiss-Fist this weekend

On Sunday, Sept. 20 from 2-4 p.m. in the EUC Auditorium, enjoy the popular annual event  “Deaf Kiss-Fist,” where individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing come to perform various genres in American Sign Language literature that are unique in the Deaf community. Read more here.

Save the Date!

Save the date for the Asian Autumn Festival coming to UNCG Saturday, October 3rd!

African American Institutional Memory Update - TODAY!

You may be familiar with the African American Institutional Memory project, which focuses on conducting oral history interviews with African Americans who attended Women's College/UNCG in the 1960s. What you may not know is that, thanks to the hard work of recent UNCG graduate Lisa Withers (M.A., museum studies), we have added 16 new interviews to the collection since May!

Join us in the Hodges Reading Room TODAY, August 11th at 2pm to learn more about Lisa's work with the AAIM project this summer. We'll also demonstrate ways in which we're increasing access to these interviews through the use of the Oral History Metadata Synchronizer, and we'll talk a bit about the future of the project and of our institutional memory oral histories in general.

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) University Libraries Diversity Timeline

We are glad to share with you this timeline of important activities and milestones in diversity in the UNCG community, campus community, and beyond.

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) University Libraries Diversity Timeline

Celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Month

June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) month. "LGBT Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. The Stonewall riots were a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as “Gay Pride Day,” but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the “day” soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBT Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally."*

In June 2011 President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. This will link to list of LGBT resources compiled by the Library of Congress.

Walt Whitman, 1819-1892

Celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month

May is Asian Pacific Heritage Month. APA Heritage Month was first established in 1977 when Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Mineta and Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced resolutions asking the President to declare the first ten days of May (the month when the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the U.S. in 1843) as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week. In 1978 President Carter made it an annual event and in 1990, President George H.W. Bush proclaimed the entire month of May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Source: http://www.asian-nation.org/heritage.shtml




Below are links to sites where you can find out additional information on Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, and about the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander contributions to history.

http://www.infoplease.com/asian-pacific-american-heritage-month/

http://asianpacificheritage.gov/

http://asianpacificheritage.gov/about.html

Being Indigenous In North Carolina

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration

University Libraries Diversity Fund

Last month, the UNCG University Libraries gathered to celebrate Gerald Holmes, Reference Librarian and Diversity Coordinator, for being named the American Library Association Achievement in Library Diversity Research Honoree for 2014.  The University is further honoring Gerald by establishing the University Libraries Diversity Fund.  This restricted fund will be used to help with the mentorship and professional development of our diversity librarian residents.  If you are interested in donating to the University Libraries Diversity Fund, you can donate online here or stop by the University Libraries Administration Office for a paper form.

Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness month and April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. Several sites and landmarks will "light it up blue" (including Niagara Falls, the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota, the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, and the roof of CenturyLink Field where the Seatlle Seahawks play) on April 2 in an attempt to increase awareness of autism. Below are links for information to help you increase your knowledge on autism:

https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/world-autism-awareness-day

https://www.autismspeaks.org/

Diversity Residents at ACRL

Former UNCG University Libraries Diversity Resident, Natalie Blas (2012-2014), and current Diversity Resident, Orolando Duffus (2014-2016), meet up at the Association of College and Research Libraries Conference in Portland, OR

Ingrid Ruffin, Emily Mann, and Nataly Blas presented a Poster Session at the Association of College and Research Libraries Conference in Portland, OR

Upcoming Event - The History of Women's Physical Education at UNCG: 1892-1963

Where: Hodges Reading Room, Jackson Library

When: Wednesday, March 25^th from 2:00-3:00

Founded in 1892, the State Normal and Industrial School was a pioneering institution in the history of higher education for women. Among the most interesting aspects of our University’s history is the early focus on the physical education of women. In honor of Women’s History Month, join Kathelene McCarty Smith as she presents on the history of women’s physical education at this institution prior to becoming a co-educational campus.

Irish-American History Month

More than 40 million Americans are of Irish-American descent.  Since our nation's inception and throughout our history, brave men, women and children yearning for freedom and opportunity made the journey to the United States in search of a better life. The State of North Carolina recognizes Irish Americans throughout our history who have made great strides: James Polk, 11th President of the United States, was born in Pineville and Andrew Johnson, 17th President of the United States was born in Raleigh. 

James K. Polk

Andrew Johnson

This month and throughout the year, the State of North Carolina is proud to recognize the achievements of Irish Americans and to encourage citizens to learn more about the role Irish Americans have played and continue to play in North Carolina history, economy and culture. During the month of March and throughout the year, the State of North Carolina recognizes our Irish-American legacy.

Women's History Month

Governor Pat McCrory has proclaimed March 2015, as Women’s History month in North Carolina. The 2015 national theme for Women's History Month is "Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives." Throughout our nation's history, women have contributed in very special ways to literature and the State of North Carolina is home to women dedicated to creativity and whose expertise makes significant contributions to telling our history and way of life. The State of North Carolina recognizes women throughout our history who have made great strides in writing: Kathryn Stripling Byer, first female North Carolina Poet Laureate.

Kathryn Stripling Byer

 Several of Ms. Stripling Byer's books are in are the general collection as well as in the Libraries' Creative Writing Collection, including Wildwood Flower: Poems, Black Shawl: Poems, and The Girl in the Midst of the Harvest. 

The state also recognizes Harriet Jacobs, whose book, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (in our collection both in print and as an ebook), was one of the first accounts of slavery from a female point of view.

Harriet Jacobs

Rescheduled Event - LGBT History of UNCG Presentation

Where: Virginia Dare Room, Alumni House

When: Friday, March 6^th from 12:30-1:30

  

Although our University enjoys the benefits of a culture promoting equality and inclusivity, UNCG’s reputation for embracing diversity as an educational foundation was constructed over decades by student and staff advocacy. Among the more hidden stories of Civil Rights struggles at UNCG is that of the formation of a university-acknowledged student organization for LGBTQ students. As part of the Safe Zone Lunch and Learn Series, Stacey Krim is presenting on the LGBT history of UNCG.

Green Zone Training

As UNCG is known as veteran-friend university, Green Zone training has been developed to assist faculty and staff in better understanding the needs of our returning soldiers. Green Zone training is for faculty and staff desiring to learn more about the military affiliated student experience. Its goals are to train members of the UNCG community to know more about the issues and concerns faced by military affiliated students and to identify individuals who are available to assist this population. These individuals are not expected to be experts who can "solve problems." They are individuals who can lend a sympathetic ear and help the student veteran identify and connect with the appropriate resources. Signup for the Green Zone workshop is available here: http://workshops.uncg.edu/workshops-by-category.jsp?cat_id=77002993

Diversity and Global Engagement Expo

(Below is a post by Leah Amick, a UNCG student who attended the Diversity and Global Engagement Expo.)

Selfie!  Leah is pictured on the right, next to her conversation partner, Ali, on the left.
 She signed up for the Conversation-Partners Program at the Diversity and Global Engagment Expo at UNCG.

I had a grand time at the Diversity and Global Engagement Expo, held at UNCG Jackson Library. There was food, discussion, prizes, lively chatting and socializing- it was a fun, and educational event. Everywhere you looked, there was multicultural learning going on! Needless to say, I was excited to attend the event. UNCG is so diverse, and that is something we take pride in. The UNCG community, along with the international and exchange students I have met here over the years inspired me to study abroad in England last semester (it was an amazing, eye-opening experience!). Engaging with others who are different from us is something that we do not always stop and take the time to do, so it was really nice to have an event like this to bring us all together.

One of the most exciting parts of the event was, of course, the food! The food came from different countries- candy from Turkey, sweet plantain chips from Costa Rica, and my favorite- coconut biscuits from Jamaica. Wow, they were good. I found out where to purchase those sweet, crunchy biscuits. There were talented musicians playing beautiful songs from instruments that I have never seen. There were well decorated tables representing different clubs for different ethnic groups and countries. I saw some friends manning the tables and said “hello!” The International Society Association table and The Office of Multicultural Affairs were represented. The International Programs Center had a study abroad table (I felt a sense of pride at being able to say "I've done that!"). I also saw the Interlink table, which caught my eye. To describe briefly, Interlink is a program that our university has for internationals who take English courses to improve their English. I learned more about Conversation-Partners Program - something that any UNCG student can sign up for if they want to make a new friend and help them practice English. I immediately signed up and have been partnered with a student from Kuwait, named Ali. I enjoy our often culture-centered conversation. Also, he is even teaching me some words in Arabic! We have only met once so far, but already it has proven to be a fun, worthwhile experience.

Cultural learning is fun and exciting, and I am so happy that Jackson Library held this event. They also did a great job of promoting the event which led to a great turnout. The library is also a place where you can read about a different country or rent a foreign flick. I am a proud student worker here in the library, and I want to recognize the fact that the library staff who headed up the event did a great job! There are also so many people, organizations, and clubs that took their time to be there and inspire others. I am so grateful that UNCG has a diverse and globally engaged community – it is respectful, caring, and exciting. I am proud to call it my community.

Upcoming Event - The History of African American Students at UNCG

Where: Hodges Reading Room, Jackson Library

When: Thursday, February 12^th from 2:00-3:00

The history of our University represents a microcosm for the struggle for African American civil rights. In celebrating African American History Month, join Erin Lawrimore as she discusses the transformation of the State Normal and Industrial School for white women into one of the most diverse campuses in the University of North Carolina system.

Black Power Forum, UNCG, 1967
http://libcdm1.uncg.edu/cdm/ref/collection/CivilRights/id/2113

The Library as an Incubator of Multicultural Awareness

January 15, 2015 marked the inaugural Diversity and Global Engagement Expo. The University Libraries’ Diversity Committee and Orolando Duffus, the Diversity Resident Librarian, were the main catalyst behind the event. The delicious food and exquisite pineapple punch were jointly sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Library staff display diverse collections

The cold 30⁰F day of January 15, 2015 was eclipsed by the warmth, flare and excitement that permeated Jackson Library’s Reading Room. The library’s main floor Reading Room was transformed into a multicultural oasis that attracted students representing all inhabited continents. The buzzing atmosphere was bursting with curious patrons; some came out for cultural enrichment and exposure, while others merely stumbled upon what one participant described as “a day of delights.” Some international students even hinted that the event organizers did an astonishing job of identifying and selecting authentic foods that are popular in their native lands. 

Sampling food from different cultures

The well attended multicultural awareness exposition was highly rated by participants and is regarded as a “must-go” event for coming years. There were eleven multicultural organizations in attendance promoting their products and services to the dozens of students that were in attendance.  Many of the participants indicated that the diversity expo enhanced their awareness of different cultural practices. Some of the activities included sampling different foods and sharing interesting facts or common misconceptions about some cultures.

Representatives from eleven multicultural organizations speak with students

Live music provided by an acoustic guitarist was well received and it certainly set the tone for the event. The melody of the guitar was earthy; it captivated the attention of the audience without interrupting the continuous exchange of information. The conversations ranged from study abroad opportunities to the difficulties of Muslims living in the United States of America.

Panel discussion

The event concluded with a panel discussion where students, student leaders and members of UNCG’s administration and faculty convened to discuss social justice and human rights issues globally. The panelists included Dr. Penelope Pynes (Associate Provost, International Programs), Dr. Mark Villacorta (Assistant Director, Office of Multicultural Affairs), Mr. Curtis Tarver (Associate Director, Campus Activities and Programs), Dr. David Nelson (Director, Quality Enhancement Plan), Edna Chun (Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources), Mr. Joseph Graham (Vice President, Student Government Association), and other student leaders. The discussion was moderated by Omar Ali (Associate Professor, African American & African Diaspora Studies).

The Diversity and Global Engagement Exposition was a part of a cultural enrichment initiative that aims to provide access to culture so that every Spartan, regardless of national origin or domicile, may exude a high level of intercultural competence. Based on the success and campus-wide support of this event, we plan to propose another Expo for the next academic year. 

--Written by Orolando Duffus

Safe Zone training

Safe Zone Training for interested faculty and staff will be held on January 23, 2015, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SafeZone Training will be held in the Wellness Center Training Room. Here is the link to access the sign up sheet: http://goo.gl/PIjTlp.