Past Events

It is important to keep an easily accessible record of the events that have happened on campus. This page serves as both an archive and resource for continued learning.

Upcoming Events

Questions? Contact DEIB

Unsettling Settler-Colonial Education, with Dr. Cornel Pewewardy

Dr. Cornel Pewewardy (Comanche-Kiowa) spoke during the 2023 KU Indigenous Cultures Festival. His lecture about the Transformational Indigenous Praxis Model is now available.
Event title in dark blue on a mustard color background

2023 Black History Month Webinar

Veronique L Porter facilitated the 2023 webinar titled: Did you Know? BHM Edition. This virtual event was held on February 8 at 3:30pm Central Time.
Graphic for 2023 Black History Month Webinar.

Legal Perspectives on Dobbs v. Jackson and Beyond

View the forum from Friday, 7/8, 3-4PM, with legal experts on campus, who provided background on the law, and addressed potential future legal developments. Following remarks, the speakers took community questions.
Image of gavel and stethoscope on blue background. Reads: Legal Perspectives on Dobbs v. Jackson and Beyond. Panel and Q&A. Fri, July 8th 3-4PM. Kyle Velte, professor of law Rick Levy JD Smith Distinguished professor of constitutional Law. Sponsored by University Governance, The Commons, Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and the Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

Juneteenth 2022

Learn more about Juneteenth, its history, and local celebratory events.
Yellow word Juneteenth on background of three color blocks of red, black, and green. KU DEIB logo below in white over translucent blue image of Strong Hall

The Power of Choice with Dawn Shaw

Wednesday May 4, 2022 from 12:00 - 1:00pm

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.
Duplicate event information listed on a black background with photo of Dawn Shaw.

The Body is not an Apology with Sonya Renee Taylor

Sonya Renee Taylor is the Founder and Radical Executive Officer of The Body is Not An Apology, a digital media and education company promoting radical self-love and body empowerment as the foundational tool for social justice and global transformation. Talk and Q&A followed by book giveaway (in-person only).
Full screen image of Sonya Renee Taylor a black bald woman who is wearing a peplum shirt made from red, blue, and yellow ankara fabric. The left side of the image has event details in black text on a yellow background.

Liberation Conversation featuring Alok

Tuesday April 19, 2022 from 1:00 - 2:15pm
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.
Advertising image with photo of Alok and event information

Land Acknowledgement Conversation

Tuesday April 5, 2022 - 6:00pm
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.
Poster with mustard yellow and white text on a dark blue background with event details. Right side has image of KU campanile in front of a vibrant sunset.

"Not a Girl”: Navigating Femme-Presentation and Nonbinary Identity

Monday March 28, 2022 from 1:00 - 2:15pm
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

Tuesday March 8 @ 6:30pm.
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.
Poster with black and white image of basketball team in a huddle. White text on dark blue background.

Meditate with Mars

February 28, 2022

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.
Image of Mars Bradley, a black man wearing glasses, with text reading guided meditation session

The Ethics of Antiracism with Eddie Glaude

February 25, 2022 at 4:30pm. For Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr., anti-racism isn’t about making a list of action items and then checking off some boxes. It is a highly ethical position — the reflection of a committed, moral choice to reject the idea that some people should be valued more than others.
Right side of the image has a dark blue background. Cursive red, blue, and yellow text reads "save the date." Under, white bold sanserif font gives the title of talk with Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. Text on top of a blue bar at the bottom gives date, time, and location of event. On the left side of the image has Eddie Glaude is looking at the camera with a straight face. He is a black man with short dark hair, wearing blue square-shaped eyeglasses, a dark blue suit jacket, white shirt, and silver/blue striped tie.

Candice Hoyes Performance | Black History Month

February 15, 2022 at 7:30pm - Swarthout Recital Hall. Candice is a 2020 winner of the inaugural NYC Women’s Fund for Film, Music and Media. She has performed with, opened for and recorded with artists ranging from Lin Manuel Miranda to Chaka Khan to Wynton Marsalis. Candice was commissioned by the National Black Theater and Michelle Obama's When We All Vote to co-create a new work to empower Black voters leading into the 2020 US Presidential election. Collaboration with KU School of Music.
Textured blue background with an image of Candice Hoyes in a tan suit. Read Distinguished speaker series an evening with Candice Hoyes Swathout Recital Hall. This event is sponsored by the School of Music, American Studies, African and African American Studies and KU DEIB. February 15, 2022 |7:30 PM Central Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/c/KUSchoolofMusic/live

Loretta Ross - 2022 MLK Jr. Day

Calling in the Calling Out Culture. January 20, 2022, at 11am via Zoom.

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

Dr. Jean Hall presents: Understanding Health Disparities Among People with Disabilities. On Friday December 3, 2021 via Zoom.

2021 Indigenous People's Day

Cultural Competency, Decolonization, & Indigenous Knowledge Systems.

Guest Lecturer Dr. Joshuaa Allison-Burbank, PhD, CCC-SLP (Diné and Acoma Pueblo) an Assistant Scientist from Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health.
On the left side is a picture of Dr. Allison-Burbank outlined in yellow. He is wearing a blue shirt with a Native pattern on the right sleeve and a Native white and turquoise necklace. On the right side is white and yellow text with the title of the talk and event date, time, and location.

2021 Native American Heritage Month

Liberating Sovereign Potential in Indigenous Education: Building Capacity and Confronting Colonial Entanglements.

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.
Black and white photo of Dr. Alex Red Corn who is wearing a suit jacket, gingham button up shirt and patterned bow tie. In in the upper left corner is white writing on a red background, and lists event date, time and location. On the right, in yellow writing on the red background is the title of Dr. Red Corn's presentation.

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).