Champions for Change
In a room full of champions for social justice at the Diversity Council’s Annual Meeting on January 21st, three people stood out as recipients of this year’s Champion of Diversity Award: Terri Allred, Robert Banks, and Roger Peterson. All three award winners were recognized for demonstrating an outstanding level of dedication to the Diversity Council’s mission of creating an inclusive and welcoming community. Read more
You Can Help Win the Race to End Racism
RACE: Are We So Different? is a traveling exhibition that is being hosted by Mayo Clinic and the Rochester Public Library from May 17 to September 4 at the library. This exhibit helps communities understand what race is and what it is not, and offers visitors tools to recognize race and racism in their own lives.
Your
help is needed to make the exhibit a success! Many volunteers
are needed to lead discussions or act as docents. Training
will be provided for all volunteers. More
information and job descriptions. You
can either apply online or print an application and mail it in. Also,
please share this information with anyone who might be interested
in this opportunity to serve the community. Questions regarding
the positions may be directed to Heidi Saffert, Volunteer Coordinator,
phone (507) 284-0567 or email saffert.heidi@mayo.edu
Can You Still Feel the Heat?
The theme of our 2010 Annual Meeting was Get Ignited, and on January 21, that’s exactly what about 225 guests did! The evening, enthusiastically emceed by Mitch Stevenson, began with a bang as Mitch’s brass quintet brought the crowd to their feet with a rousing rendition of “Stand By Me,” and that mood was sustained throughout the evening.
Highlights included our Champion of Diversity awards, a performance of the play “RACE: To the Finish Line” performed by JoEllen Brenny and Fred Douglas, live music by Michael Garner and Jaymi Wilson, and an address by Diversity Council Board President Steve Lehmkuhle encouraging us all to take advantage of teachable moments to gain new perspectives on diversity. Guests also enjoyed 8th grader Abryelle Terrill’s reading of her winning entry from our annual poetry contest.
Many thanks to Chad Koehler and Doubletree Hotel Rochester for the generous donation of time, space, food and other services as host of our event. The evening was full of energy and good vibes. As Post-Bulletin managing editor Jay Furst wrote in his blog: “[It] was a terrific event—both fun and substantial.” Thanks to everyone who volunteered, participated, and attended for making it so!
Read
Steve Lehmkuhle’s address (it’s short!)
Read
Post-Bulletin coverage of the event
Congratulations to our Winning Poets!
Congratulations to the winners of our 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Poetry Contest! First, second and third place winners from three age groups read their winning pieces at our second annual Poetry Slam at Rochester Civic Theatre. Picture from left to right, back row: Jacob Gehrking (3rd place, grades 6-8), Bridget White (3rd place, grades 9-12), April Dennison (2nd place, grades 9-12), Joy Harris (1st place, grades 9-12). Front row: Emma Pankratz (2nd place, grades 6-8), Jarod Rhudy (2nd place, grades 3-5), Aman Abdirizak (1st place, grades 3-5), Geena Burgess (3rd place, grades 3-5), Abryelle Terrill (1st place, grades 6-8). Read the winning poems!
January Highlights
A month-long Celebration of Diversity and Inclusivity, learning from Rochester's African immigrants, and more... Details
Upcoming Events
Rochester Reads events focusing on Africa, A Portrait of Kenya, Interfaith Youth Core events, the Kitchen God festival, Winterfest, Mardis Gras, International Mother Tongue Day, Muhammed's birthday, and much more!
Census Jobs
The Census Bureau is hiring 1,000 people for jobs in the 13-county area surrounding Rochester. Bilingual applicants are especially needed. You must be a U.S. citizen or have a work visa. U.S. driver's license also required. You will be reimbursed for mileage, and the hours are flexible. Interested? Call 1-866-861-2010 or visit www.2010censusjobs.gov.
Performers and Volunteers Wanted for World Festival
The 34th annual World Festival is set for April 9 & 10. Ethnic music and dance performers are being sought for the Friday evening talent show. Volunteers are also needed for children's activities, the cafeteria, and more. Interested? Contact Herta Matteson at 280-8319 or hmatteson@hotmail.com.
Just For Fun!
February is Black History Month. What would YOUR life be like without black people? Hip hop artist D. Mawl takes you on a tour of life without the products invented by African Americans in his song "All Over the Place." Watch it on YouTube. Then you can learn more about these and other African American inventors here. And check out our events page for ways to celebrate Black History Month, including "A Portrait of Kenya," a theatrical and musical performance.
Diversity Council Featured on NBC Today Show!
(Note: Video may not play on Netscape browsers.)
Learn more about Spark (formerly Prejudice Reduction Workshops)
