Past Events
Unsettling Settler-Colonial Education, with Dr. Cornel Pewewardy

2023 Black History Month Webinar

Legal Perspectives on Dobbs v. Jackson and Beyond


The Power of Choice with Dawn Shaw
This presentation addresses how outside forces influence your choices, the importance of putting your own needs first, and how attitude affects perception and outlook. Through her personal stories and challenges, Dawn conveys how the choices we make determine our identity, including how we are seen by others. Accepting your uniqueness, understanding your value, and worrying less about what others think builds resilience and develops a stronger self-image, which helps prevent abusive relationships and combats the effects of bullying.

The Body is not an Apology with Sonya Renee Taylor

Liberation Conversation featuring Alok
This was an evening of readings and conversation with writer, artist, and performer, Alok (they/them) where we explored what does it mean for us to truly live in our joy and liberation. Presented by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, sponsored by DEIB, WGSS, Academic Success, Spencer Museum of Art, and SUA.

Land Acknowledgement Conversation
Join KU Natives along with NASS Coordinator, Kelly Walker, and the Kaw Nation Vice-Chair, James Pepper Henry, this was a lively conversation about the current state of Land Acknowledgments. The event was not recorded.

"Not a Girl”: Navigating Femme-Presentation and Nonbinary Identity
Join Dr. Rachael Cofield in exploring the history of non-binary gender expression, the academic conversations surrounding it, and real-world experiences and implications of living as non-binary.
The Loyola Project Documentary & Panel Discussion
The Loyola Project documents the 1963 Loyola Ramblers Men’s Basketball team as they broke racial barriers in route to a national championship all while navigating racial tensions connected to the Civil Rights Movement. Tickets available at the Lied Center box office.

Meditate with Mars
A new age twist on an ancient restorative method. The mission is to be able to offer these types of therapeutic services to those underserved and underprivileged parts of our society that can use and want the help but simply can't afford it. The goal is to bring the ancient restorative art of Mediation and Reiki to the new age.

The Ethics of Antiracism with Eddie Glaude

Candice Hoyes Performance | Black History Month

Loretta Ross - 2022 MLK Jr. Day
Loretta J. Ross is a Professor at Smith College in the Program for the Study of Women and Gender where she teaches courses on white supremacy, human rights, and calling in the calling out culture.
2021 Day of Persons with Disabilities
2021 Indigenous People's Day
Guest Lecturer Dr. Joshuaa Allison-Burbank, PhD, CCC-SLP (Diné and Acoma Pueblo) an Assistant Scientist from Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health.

2021 Native American Heritage Month
Alex Red Corn (Ed.D) is a citizen of the Osage Nation, where he is a member of the Tsi.zhu.wah.shtah.geh (Gentle Sky/Peacekeeper) clan, with family roots in the Wa.ha.xolin district near Pawhuska, Oklahoma (USA). Assistant Professor in the College of Education at Kansas State University.

Archived Events
June 19 – Juneteenth – is regarded as a Liberation Day for Black Americans. It is the day in 1865 that former slaves learned of their emancipation two and a half years earlier during the American Civil War. This coming June 18, 2021, I invite everyone in our community to reflect on this fact of our American history and consider joining in these activities.
Reflection Questions
- What does the significance of acknowledging Juneteenth as a federal holiday mean to you?
- In understanding the significance of Juneteenth, what’re you doing to embrace celebration, as well as find joy internally?
- What’re the next steps the community needs to take to support this progression?
- What would make you feel more seen within your community?
- How can KU create a space for you to feel seen and heard?
- What’re you actively doing to support the Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color community during the Juneteenth celebration? On a daily basis?
- How can KU help elevate your learning as an ally, in the midst of the Juneteenth celebration?
- How can you make your celebration and acts of solidarity go beyond simply being symbolic?
Share your responses on social media with #KUJuneteenth or tag us on Twitter, @ku_diversity.
Events & Resources
Representations Matter: Serving Native Students in Higher Education
Monday October 12, 2020 at 4pm on Zoom
Dr. Adrienne Keene (Cherokee Nation) will discuss the experience of Native students in higher education, using her own experiences at Stanford in dealing with mascots and misrepresentations, while providing context and statistics about the invisibility of Native students in college spaces.
Dr. Keene is a Native scholar, writer, blogger, and activist, and is passionate about reframing how the world sees contemporary Native cultures. She is the creator and author of Native Appropriations, a blog discussing cultural appropriation and stereotypes of Native peoples in fashion, film, music, and other forms of pop culture.
Events co-sponsored by: KU First Nations Student Association, Native Faculty and Staff Council, Indigenous Studies Program, Office of Diversity & Equity, CLAS Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, KU Libraries, Spencer Museum of Art, Office of Admissions, and Lied Center of Kansas.
Tuesday January 21 - Diversity University 101: Inclusion Training for Higher Ed Professionals
Wednesday January 22 - Finding Diversity/Equity in the Faculty Selection Committee Review Process
Thursday January 23 - Strategies in Minority Faculty/Staff Retention
Friday January 24 - Yield: Converting Graduate Admits to Enrolled Students
Jayhawk Room in the Kansas Union. Each day from 12 - 1pm.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
March Across Campus 12:15pm-12:45pm
Gather at Strong Hall Rotunda, walk along Jayhawk Boulevard to Kansas Union.
Roundtable Discussions
12:45pm, Kansas Union, Big 12 Room
Roundtable discussions will focus on the radical activism that was King's true legacy, including his fight against poverty, segregation, joblessness and his opposition to the Vietnam war.
Sponsored by the Office of Diversity & Equity and the Office of Multicultural Affairs
Thursday Nov. 14, 2019 from 5:30-7pm at the Lawrence Public Library
Hoping to find specific items or sizes? Please email us at diversity@ku.edu and we will do our best to locate items!
Sponsored by the KU Sexuality and Gender Diversity Faculty and Staff Council
Keynote Speech with Congresswoman Sharice Davids
- Tuesday, October 8, 2019 @ 6:00 pm Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union
Native American Faculty & Student Research/Scholarship Panel
- Tuesday, October 8, 2019 @ 3-5pm Watson Library
Quilling Demonstration by Dana Warrington
- Tuesday, October 8, 2019 @ 5pm, KU Union in the 4th Floor Lobby
Native American Leadership Symposium
- Thursday, October 10, 2019 @ 9am-2pm
- This event is for Kansas HS students only
Indigenous Animated Short Films Screening
- Thursday, October 10 @ 7:00 pm Lied Center Pavilion
- Featuring work by Amanda Strong, Christopher Auchter, Diane Obomsawin and others, this screening will highlight recent work in Indigenous animation. The films showcase distinct Indigenous stories, languages and animation styles, as represented in communities across North America—from Nunavut in northern Canada to Jalisco in southern Mexico. A panel with KU Indigenous film students will follow showing of short.
Indigenous Women Art Exhibit
- October 8 - 27 at the Spencer Museum of Art
Events co-sponsored by: KU First Nations Student Association, Haskell Indian Nations University, Native Faculty and Staff Council, Indigenous Studies Program, Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity & Equity, CLAS Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, KU Libraries, Spencer Museum of Art, Office of Admissions, KU Film & Media Studies, Lied Center of Kansas
MLK Panel: Intersectionality and Social Justice
- Monday January 21 at 3pm
- Lawrence Public Library auditorium (707 Vermont St.)
- Featured speakers include Charlesia McKinney, Dr. Joseph Erba, and Dr. Randal Jelks
- Sponsored by the Lawrence Public Library and the Office of Diversity and Equity
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast
- Monday, January 21 at 7:30am
- Maceli’s Banquet Hall
- Tickets $10 per person
- Sponsored by the Lawrence Ecumenical Fellowship and Jayhawk Breakfast Rotary Club
MLK March across Campus and Musical Celebration
- Tuesday January 22 at 12pm
- Words from the CLAS Dean Clarence Lang begin at noon outside of Strong Hall’s main entrance
- March from Strong Hall to Kansas Union.
- Group will proceed to the Kansas Union, 4th floor traditions area for free refreshments
- Closing remarks provided by Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Carl Lejuez
- Sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Equity
Lawrence Public Schools ONE DREAM Event
- Thursday January 24
- Doors open at 5:30pm, ceremony begins at 6:30 pm
- Southwest Middle School (2511 Inverness Drive)
- Sponsored by USD 497 Lawrence Public Schools
Spring KU Common Book Discussion
- Tuesday January 29 at 3:30pm
- The Spencer Museum of Art
- Sponsored by the Office of First Year Experience
Restoration Over Retribution Peacemaking as a Path Forward
Speakers: Provost Carl Lejuez, Ron Brave & Shawn Watts
October 8, 2018 from 12 - 1pm in the Big 12 Room of Kansas Union
Light Refreshments Provided By The Office Of The Provost
MLK March Across Campus and Musical Celebration
- Monday, January 15, 2018
- Time: 1:00-2:30 pm
- Location: Strong Hall rotunda; Kansas Union 4th floor Traditions Area
- Sponsored by: Office of Diversity and Equity
KU Common Book Discussion for Incoming Students
- Wednesday, January 17, 2018
- Time: 3:30-5:00 pm
- Location: Spencer Museum of Art Teaching Gallery
- Sponsored by: Office of First Year Experience
Building Communities of Care and Justice: Our Local Work
- Wednesday, January 17, 2018
- Time: 7:30-9:00 pm
- Location: Lawrence Public Library Auditorium
- This event qualifies for credit for the Arts Engagement certificate.
- Sponsored by: Office of Diversity and Equity
Approaches to Teaching and Learning African American History with Pero Dagbovie
- Thursday, January 18, 2018
- Time: 1:00-3:00 pm
- Location: The Commons, Spooner Hall
- Sponsored by: Office of First Year Experience
Lawrence Public Schools ONE DREAM Event
- Thursday, January 18, 2018
- Time: 5:30 pm
- Location: Free State High School
- Sponsored by: USD 497
Representations of African American History in U.S. Politics and Popular Culture with Pero Dagbovie
- Thursday, January 18, 2018
- Time: 7:00-8:30 pm
- Location: Lawrence Public Library Auditorium
- Sponsored by: Office of First Year Experience & Langston Hughes Center
Showing of “Moonlight” film
- Monday, January 22, 2018
- Time: 8:00-9:30 pm
- Location: Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union
- This event qualifies for credit for the Arts Engagement certificate.
- Sponsored by: Office of Multicultural Affairs & Student Union Activities
Celebrating the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.”
Gospel Music Celebration
- Sunday January 15th; 6:30 pm
- Free Methodist Church
- 3001 Lawrence Ave
- Sponsored by Free Methodist Church
10th Annual Jayhawk Rotary Club Breakfast
- Monday January 16; 7:30 am
- Maceli’s Banquet Hall
- 1031 New Hampshire St.
- Sponsored by Jayhawk Rotary Club
Candlelight Vigil and March
- Monday January 16; 4:30 pm
- Strong Hall Rotunda
- Sponsored by The Office of Diversity and Equity
Reception and Panel Discussion
- Monday January 16; 5:00 pm
- Kansas Union Ballroom
- Sponsored by The Office of Diversity and Equity
Civil Rights Activism
- Art Showcase
- Gallery Space, Kansas Union
- Sponsored by The Kansas Union
KU Common Book Community Conversation: Between the World and Me
- Tuesday January 17; 3:30-4:30 pm
- Spencer Museum of Art
- Sponsored by The Office of First Year Experience
CREATE: Arts Education Lesson
- Tuesday January 17; 4:15-5:30 pm
- Ballard Community Center
- 708 Elm St
- Sponsored by The Center for Community Outreach
Brother Outsider Screening
- Wednesday January 18; 5:30-7:30 pm
- Big 12 Room, Kansas Union
- Sponsored by The Office of Multicultural Affairs
CREATE: Arts Education Lesson
- Wednesday January 18; 4:15-5:30 pm
- Ballard Community Center
- 708 Elm St
- Sponsored by The Center for Community Outreach
Tea @ Three: MLK Speech Screening
- Thursday January 19, 3:00-4:00 pm
- 4th Floor, Kansas Union
- Sponsored by Student Union Activities
A space to meet others from across campus, take a break from studies, & build a stronger ku community.
First Wednesday of every month from September—May (except January)
11:30-1PM Anschutz Library
Catered by Ramen Bowls
Co-sponsored by: The College, KU Libraries, School of Architecture & Design, School of Business, School of Education, School of Engineering, Graduate Studies, School of Journalism & Mass Communications, School of Law, School of Music, School of Pharmacy, School of Social Welfare
A Gathering for Diverse Graduate Students
Light refreshments - and a child-friendly activity - will be provided.
A strong network of professional and social support is critical to your academic success and overall well-being -- regardless of your fields or stage of study. Please join us for this event sponsored by the Office of Diversity & Equity and the Office of Graduate Studies.
- September 24, 2019 @ 5 - 6pm. Kansas Union Ballroom
- October 25, 2018 @ 5 - 6pm. Office of Multicultural Affairs Lobby
- April 13, 2017 @ 4:30 - 6:30pm. Hancock Ballroom & Library in the Oread Hotel
- September 6, 2017 @ 4:30 - 6:30pm. Hancock Ballroom & Library in the Oread Hotel
- October 26, 2017 @ 4:30 - 6:30pm. Hancock Ballroom & Library in the Oread Hotel
- September 15, 2016 @ 4:30 - 6:30pm. Hancock Ballroom & Library in the Oread Hotel
One Dream: Educate – Empower – Elevate
Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 17th
- 6:30 p.m. Gospel Musical Explosion | Free Methodist Church, Lawrence, KS
January 18th
- 7:30 am Community Breakfast with Dean Neeli Bendapudi Speaking | Maceli’s Banquet Hall, Lawrence, KS
- 4:30 pm KU MLK Candlelight Vigil & Walk | Strong Hall Rotunda
- 5:15 pm Presentations and performance by Genuine Imitation | Kansas Union Ballroom, Level 5, Kansas Union
January 20th
- 7:00 pm KU Women’s Basketball | Allen Fieldhouse
January 21st
- 3:00 pm SUA Tea @ 3 with “I Have A Dream” speech screening | Traditions Area, Level 4, Kansas Union
January 21st
- 4:30 pm Throwback Thursday – Freedom Songs | Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center
- 6:30 Lawrence School District MLK Awards Event | South Middle School, Lawrence, KS
Center Community Outreach volunteer activities January 25-29 with CREATE (Ballard Community Center), GROW (select local elementary schools) and CAA (Lawrence Community Shelter).