February

CONNECTIONS





The Business of Relationships Diversity and Inclusion

Newsletter








































































[email protected] Issue 2, February 2017

A Note from the Chair Diversity Committee’s Mission

2017 is upon us and with it comes the promise of great growth and RCGC wishes to express its
change. As a nation and institution of higher learning, we continue to strong commitment to the goal
work toward and strive for full participation and equality of all citizens, of diversity, respect, civility and
upon whose shoulders the responsibility for upholding these principles inclusion on our campus. The
rests. America is a multicultural society dedicated to inclusive promotion and retention of a
participation in our democracy; our laws and our social policies have diverse faculty/staff and
evolved over time to reflect this strong commitment. RCGC’s Diversity student body is essential to the
Committee strives to build upon the diversity of our community to success of our institution as a
establish a more inclusive educational environment. We have published collective body as well as our
this first newsletter called “CONNECTIONS” to provide guidance, support, respective professional pursuits.
articles and updates on the Diversity Committee’s initiatives to promote Diversity brings to our campus a
an environment of “Respect, Civility and Inclusion.” broader and richer
environment, which produces
Colleges, Universities and other organizations have found that achieving
creative thinking and solutions.
real and sustained diversity and inclusion programs, initiatives, and As such, RCGC embraces and
committees is a multifaceted task– one that requires a more encourages diversity in all
concentrated approach. For this reason, the Diversity Committee aspects of its activities. RCGC is
considered it necessary to create a newsletter to help our community committed to creating and
navigate the difficult tasks encountered during the journey for maintaining a culture that
meaningful diversity and inclusion. This newsletter is designed with the supports and promotes diversity
goal of helping our campus foster a culture of inclusion that addresses and inclusion.
the multifaceted tasks facing colleges. “CONNECTIONS” aims to provide
resources necessary to establish, modify or maintain diversity efforts, Purpose & Intent
shift the instructional standard to include leadership models found in
Diversity Committee: serves as
diverse communities, embrace collective methods to outline a new and
a review advisory and
more inclusive institutional diversity standard, and to develop knowledge
recommending body to the
and capacity for greater diversity and inclusion success across all levels.
appropriate Vice President to
It is my sincerest hope that the RCGC community can attain significant promote diversity in all RCGC
and meaningful diversity and inclusion programs. activities- academic, co-
curricular and administrative.
Ya Vanca Brooks, Chair,
The Diversity Committee also
provides strategies for infusing
Diversity Committee
multiculturalism into all aspects
of the campus community and
encourages a respectful
workplace.



[email protected] Issue 2, February 2017

Black History Month Events 2017 learn about the lives of African
American leaders, the history
behind the Emancipation
Proclamation, and more. FREE

22 Wednesday
NJ RCGC’s Diversity Committee
College Center. Lower Level; The
Diversity Committee will sponsor
Black History Month activities to
acknowledge African Americans
who have left an indelible mark
Nine artists will bring their distinctive, elegant upon history between 10 am and 2
works to Rowan College at Gloucester County pm.
(RCGC) in celebration of Black History Month.
The show will run until March 3 in the Art
Gallery located in the College Center. The 24 Sunday
gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8 PA Out of Africa at the
a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For Kingsessing Library, Phila. Explore
more information, call 856-415-2122 African folktales and how they
https://www.rcgc.edu/News/Releases/Pages/Links-Black-History-Art-Show-at- impart wisdom & reflect a culture’s
RCGC-2017.aspx value FREE

25 Saturday
15 Wednesday
PA A Freedom To Go Forth at the
DE Stages of Discovery: Everybody's Hero: The Jackie Robinson Story at The
Historic Strawberry Mansion, Phila.
Grand, Wilmington. Kids in grades 3-8 watch the challenges and triumphs that
Items from the Lest We Forget
shaped Jackie Robinson's life play out on stage.
Slavery Museum and from Historic

Strawberry Mansion’s first builder
16 Thursday and occupant Judge William Lewis
PA African American Poetry Mashup at the Walnut Street West Library, Phila. will be on display. Curators will be
After reading famous African-American poetry, use the poets' words to create on hand to discuss the artifacts.
poems of your own. FREE PA Celebration of African
Cultures at Penn Museum, Phila.
17 Friday Includes traditional storytelling,
NJ “I Have a Dream” Open Mic Night at the South County Library, Atco. Ages 9 African drum & dance
& up write speeches in honor or King’s famous speech, then perform their words performances, gallery tours, kids'
to the audience. FREE activities and an African
marketplace.
18 Saturday
PA Black History Month Workshop at the Center for Architecture & Design,
Phila. Join the Handwork Studio to make a peace.
NJ Story Time: A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippen at the New
Jersey State Museum, Trenton. Read this award-winning picture book about the
artist’s life, and see one of his pieces in the museum.

19 Sunday
DE Fats Waller: A Man of Many Talents at the Johnson Victrola Museum,
Dover. Pay tribute to the jazz legend, view a clip of his performance and listen to
stories of his musical legacy. FREE
NJ Story Time: A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippen at the New
Jersey State Museum, Trenton. Read this award-winning picture book about the
artist’s life, and see one of his pieces in the museum.

20 Monday
PA The Story of We the People at the National Constitution Center, Phila.
Explore the museum’s African American interactive exhibits and programs to

[email protected] Issue 2, February 2017

What would YOU like to see
What are the Protected
included?
Characteristics...?
Send us your thoughts, comments,
publications, planned events, Age
announcements, and your campus
Race
wide Diversity initiatives.
Disability
CONNECTIONS will be circulated on the
nd
2 Monday of every month. Please Sex
st
make all submissions by the 1
Monday of the month to Gender Reassignment
[email protected]
Marriage & Civil Partnership

Pregnancy & Maternity
Religion of Belief & Sexual
Orientation





Dates for your Diary- February to
March 2017

1. February is Black History Month!
Diversity and Inclusion Resource Center
(https://asalh100.org/origins-of-
black-history-month/) The Office of Diversity and Equity has on-demand training
2. February is also International Boost material available to you. Just contact Almarie Jones at
[email protected] or x2154 or Joan Kuhar at
Your Self Esteem Month!
[email protected] or x2111 to borrow:
(http://www.pghhealthandhealing.
com/blog/2013/02/february-  Training Staff to Respond to Racial Climate
international-boost-your-self- Challenges (DVD, 1:30:42 length; handout material
included)
esteem-month)
 The Power of Respectful Language (Interactive, on-
3. Tu Bishvat – 2/11/2017
line from Workplace Answers, approx. 40 minutes.)
(https://www.timeanddate.com/ho
lidays/us/tu-bshevat) Peace and Justice Institute:
4. Mardi Gras – 2/28/2017
[email protected]/pji
(http://www.history.com/topics/ho
lidays/mardi-gras)
5. International Women’s Day – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; The Danger of a Single Story
3/8/2017
http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_da
(https://www.internationalwomens
nger_of_a_single_story
day.com/About)




[email protected] Issue 2, February 2017