Multicultural Resource Center, summer 2023

Collaborations

This quarter, the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) had over 16 collaborations with student groups, staff, faculty and campus departments.Of the collaborations, many were hosted in the center, while others were hosted across campus and in the Binghamton community.

Although Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (AAPHM) is in May, the MRC provided programming in April and May due to Commencement and the end of the academic year. The MRC hosted several events and collaborated with new partners.

● In March, the MRC hosted an Asian Cultural Game Day with the International Language Association (ILA). Approximately 40 students, faculty and staff learned traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean board/card games. This was the MRC’s first collaboration with ILA.

● The MRC participated in the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Cultural Showcase with Bartle Library on April 13, with over 50 participants.

● On April 14, the MRC hosted an event for more than 20 participants of the Origami Club to highlight this traditional Asian art form.

● On April 21, the MRC collaborated with Sulpoong for a traditional Korean drumming event for 14 attendees in the Korean Student Center.

● The largest APAHM event took place on April 27 in collaboration with Chinascope. More than 100 participants made their own boba tea and drinking jar.

● The MRC also supported a Japanese Rice Bowl Making event with the Department of Asian and Asian American Studies on May 2.

The MRC worked with the Graduate African Student Organization (GASO) for the first time on “African Cultural Night.” This April event brought together the MRC, GASO, Asian Student Organization and Africana Studies Department to develop a program for graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, staff and community members highlighting personal experiences across multiple African countries. The program included live music, networking and discussions on Pan-Africanism. The event hosted over 60 attendees and featured Africana Studies Department Chair Titilayo Okoror and New York State Sen. Lea Webb.

The MRC worked with new partners this semester promoting new and enhanced collaborations. The MRC hosted a discussion and activity about Redling with the Education Minor DEI Committee, part of its DEI Bearchat initiative. The April 20 event had 34 attendees. The MRC presented Intercultural Communication and Microaggressions to the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce on April 19. The MRC also supported the Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies field trip to NYC to see the Whitney Museum of American Art’s exhibition, “No existe un mundo poshuracán: Puerto Rican Art in the Wake of María,” and the Repertorio Theatre’s adaptation of Isabel Allende’s Eva Luna. The MRC also participated in Admitted Students Days on April 15 and April 22.

Signature events

The second annual Men of Color Summit took place Saturday, April 15, in the Innovative Technologies Complex at Binghamton University. More than 90 people attended. This year’s summit included three new institutions: Corning Community College, Elmira City Schools and Borough of Manhattan Community College, and featured several distinguished alumni speakers. Welcome remarks were provided by Josué “JQ” Quiñones ’10, ’12, followed by a midday keynote by Lakim Desir ’15, and closing out the day with an address by Julius Johnson ’05, MS ’09.

During this quarter, the MOC Summit committee received notice of an honorable mention nod for the Association of College Unions International’s (ACUI) “Steal this Idea” Award for the 2022 MOC Summit social media campaign. The 2022 MOC Summit had previously received the ACUI’s Shirley Bird Perry Staff Driven Program of the Year Award and the Region VII Dr. Teresa D. Drummond Memorial Award.

On Thursday, April 27, the Multicultural Resource Center hosted its Fifth Annual Cultural Recognition Ceremony, “Walk Around the World.” The awards ceremony recognized individuals and student organizations for leadership, impact and fidelity to the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s core values: identity, unity and excellence. Student performances by acapella group Undivided and dance group Moda X helped kick off the awards-style ceremony. Derek Jorden, resident director at Newing College, performed master of ceremonies duties.

Student organizations and individuals were nominated and selected by the MRC community, and the top organizations received funding for programming initiatives. More than 60 students received red, green and black cords to wear at their school Commencement ceremonies. These colors are from the Pan-African flag (also known as the Marcus Garvey flag), a symbol of the African diaspora or Black liberation. There were over 75 attendees. The vice president of multicultural affairs and their office were a consistent participating partner in the event.

De-stress events

The MRC participated in the University’s Stress-Free Bing initiative to close the semester. The MRC hosted two de-stress arts and crafting events. On May 3, 35 attendees attended the painting event, and the May 4 event had 15 attendees. The MRC also extended open hours to 10 p.m. during finals week.

Mentoring and leadership programs

The MRC continued the B-College Bound and New Student of Color mentoring programs. The final mixer of the semester was held April 13 in the MRC Lounge with 30 attendees. B-College Bound hosted end-of-year workshops and mixers on April 17 (attendance: 16) and April 24 (attendance: 20). The final workshop focused on self-care, and the mixer took place in The Union’s bowling alley. The Pathways to Inclusive Leadership Program hosted its final celebration on April 21 in the MRC. Eleven participants completed the program and received recognition from the participating departments. The concluding event also featured keynote addresses from Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Karen Jones and Vice President of Student Affairs Brian Rose.

Committees

The MRC’s assistant director remained active on the Homecoming Planning Committee and participated in three search committees: University Counseling Center senior counselor, MRC assistant director, and speech and debate assistant cirector. The MRC AD also participated in the Lois DeFleur Scholarship Selection Committee and the Strelzyn-Witt A-OK Acts of Kindness Scholarship Selection Committee.