Diversity conference planned for Oct. 11

The first campus-community diversity conference sponsored by the Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute (CVCHI) will be hosted by Fresno State on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Faculty and staff are invited to participate and asked to encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity.

This full-day conference, entitled, “Culture and Community Building: Transformative Practices,” will feature more than 30 workshops offered by Fresno State faculty, staff, students and community members. Music and dance performances by Carmencristina and others are planned.  A Cultural Expo and Cultural Marketplace will add to the wide spectrum of cultural experience.

Featured speakers will be: 

• William C. Rhoden, African-American sports writer for the New York Times, jazz critic and author of “Lost Tribe Wandering: The Peril and Promise of African American Athletes.” The lecture is co-sponsored by Associated Students.

• Sergio Arau, MTV award-winning director, and acclaimed actress Yareli Arizmendi, co-creators of the film “A Day Without a Mexican,” a politically charged work of wit, irreverence and social commentary. Their appearance is in collaboration with the University Lecture Series.

Pre-conference activities include a three-day Train the Trainer Seminar that will instruct participants in how to conduct NCBI “Welcoming Diversity” workshops and a one-day “Beyond Diversity” Workshop that is designed to help teachers, parents and administrators consider the implications of racism, exclusion and prejudice on student learning.

Some sponsored registrations are available for faculty and staff.  Please check with your department chair or manager.  Interested students may contact CVCHI at ext. 8-6946 to apply for conference scholarships or stop by the Women’s Resource Center, UC 125.

Registration fees are $75 general/$40 students for the full-day conference, $75 general/$40 students for the one-day “Beyond Diversity” workshop, and $300 general/$100 students for the  Train the Trainer Seminar.

A brilliantly colored poster advertising the Conference is available for posting upon request by interested departments.  It was designed by Fresno State student Marie Jacques under the guidance of professor Martin Valencia of the art department.  Suitable for framing, the poster will also be available for sale at the conference.

For more information about the conference and for registration forms contact CVCHI at 8-6946 or visit the Web site at www.csufresno.edu/tapestry.