West Virginia University’s 2014 Diversity Week will kick off with rapper Chuck D as part of a Festival of Ideas and include annual events such as the Women of Color Luncheon.

Chuck D, co-founder of rap group Public Enemy and inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will talk as part of the David C. Hardesty Jr. Festival of Ideas on Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre of the Creative Arts Center.

Later in the week, the Speak Up (!) Diversity Poetry Reading will feature award-winning slam poet Pages Matam as the master of ceremonies on Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mountainlair Gold Ballroom. The microphone will be open to audience members to share in reading poetry. Matam is an author with Write Bloody Publishing, educator, host and father.

The 27th annual Women of Color luncheon “Celebrating, Honoring and Empowering all Women” will be held Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. The keynote speaker is state Delegate Charlene Marshall. Tickets can be purchased online at http://cwc.wvu.edu

“The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is pleased to sponsor Diversity Week,” said David M. Fryson, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion. “This year we are using Diversity Week as a springboard for our year round diversity event schedule. We ask that you join us as we celebrate the rich diversity of our University community during Diversity Week and through the year. We encourage you to attend as many events as possible now and throughout the year as we celebrate together as one West Virginia University.”

The week continues with panel discussions that range from discussing gender and sexuality in the show “Orange is the New Black,” as well as sessions that showcase experiences of international students.

A Wednesday, Oct. 1, session at 7:30 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms titled “Finding My Place at WVU: A Multicultural Involvement and Awareness Kickoff” is for individuals interested in learning more about African, Latino or Native American student organizations.

The Rules of Engagement: Relationship Forum is slated for Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. in the Mountainlair Blue Ballroom will feature communication techniques, developing standards and more for healthy successful relationships.

Friday evening concludes the week’s events with the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Pi Mu Chapter at the Waterfront Place Hotel. Live entertainment will be provided by the Hubbs Groove Band from Cleveland, Ohio. The special guest speaker will be Basheer Jones, author, poet and news radio personality. The mission of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. is to develop leaders, and promote brotherhood and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy in communities.

A complete schedule of events can be found online http://diversity.wvu.edu/di/diversity-week

-WVU-

dm/9/23/14

CONTACT: Sharon Mallow, Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
304.293.5600; Sharon.Mallow@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.