Incluza-Palooza Event Celebrates Diversity, Unity

Part variety show, part community action event, Incluza-Palooza is one big celebration about unity and diversity.

The once-a-year affair, orchestrated by the College’s Women’s and Gender Studies Program, will take place on Friday, April 13, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. in the Stern Center Ballroom. With a tagline of “celebrating unity through entertainment and action,” Incluza-Palooza aims to promote social awareness and empowerment.

Incluza-Palooza brings together local performers, community members, college students and activists for a fun and positive evening to honor the rich diversity that helps make Charleston such a cherished community. The entertainment portions of the evening will include music, dance, comedy and spoken word poetry.

According to psychology professor Lisa Thompson Ross, one of the event’s organizers, “When students, faculty and staff want to get more involved in the campus and/or community, they don’t always know what their options are. The agencies and groups participating in Incluza-Palooza this year are wonderful resources in our community. They can provide a sense of community connectedness, professional development, personal inspiration and interpersonal support.”

For Ross, it’s important to share our talents with others.

“In my classes, I require that students complete either a volunteer or an activism project,” she says. “And community impact goes both ways. Our students help out with schools, programs and agencies and become better people because of it. So, all of that is what underlies Incluza-Palooza. And what better reason to get together to celebrate diversity than that?”

The event is open to the public. Entry is free for students with a CofC ID. A $5 donation is requested from all other attendees.

Feature photo: performers from last year’s Incluza-Palooza.