The College of Charleston’s Office of Institutional Diversity and Student Government Association will host the College’s first Student Diversity Conference under the theme, “From Social Identities to Social Justice.” The conference will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Tate Center (5 Liberty Street).
Reverend Robert Arrington, the conference keynote speaker, will speak about his experiences as a social justice advocate in communities confronting the effects of HIV and AIDS. Arrington is affiliated with SONG (Southerners on New Ground) and is the pastor of Unity Fellowship Church of Charleston, an open and affirming church. Arrington was born in Harlem, New York and received his B.A. in religious studies from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
The event will include morning and afternoon dialogue sessions and a student “Speak Out” at lunch highlighting the social justice work of campus student organizations. The day will conclude with a challenge to students to develop Engaging Diversity community projects to be showcased at next year’s conference. All dialogue sessions and activities will be facilitated by student Diversity Advocates, College of Charleston faculty and local community activists.
“We have invited all students to this conference to engage in meaningful, interactive, facilitated dialogues around issues of racism, sexism, homophobia, class inequality and other forms of discrimination affecting access and opportunity,” says Dr. Kristi Brian, director of diversity education and training in the Office of Institutional Diversity. “The intent is to allow students to sharpen their awareness and increase their capacity to build stronger communities through effective intergroup dialogue and social change work.”
For more information, contact Marlene Johnson, outreach initiatives and special projects coordinator in the Office of Institutional Diversity at 843.953.5079 or oid@cofc.edu.
