Northern Michigan University will host the Uniting Neighbors in the Experience of Diversity (UNITED) Conference Tuesday and Wednesday, March 8-9. UNITED is a conference focused on personal stories and experiences of diversity, as well as opportunities for self-growth and practical workshops to promote diversity on campus.
The hybrid format includes both in-person and virtual activities. Events are free and open to the public. Masks are required at all times while inside NMU facilities.
The March 8 events begin with rock painting from 4:30-6 p.m. in the Art and Design Building. A children's story reading will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Olson Library on campus. The evening will also include a virtual talk from multimedia artist Sawsan AlSaraf titled “Rihla (Journey),” sponsored by NMU's DeVos Art Museum.
March 9 will open with a 9 a.m. breakfast, followed by a presentation by Phyllis Braxton-Frierson of PINK Consulting titled “How are You Experiencing Cultural Differences? A Conversation to Explore Diversity, Inclusion & Equity on our Campus.” Lunch will be provided, along with an interactive discussion on the causes and consequences of implicit bias. Three parallel workshop sessions will be held from 1-3 p.m.
The conference's closing presentation, to be screened virtually at 3 p.m. in the Northern Center, will be delivered by Melina Laboucan-Massimo, an internationally renowned advocate for climate justice, indigenous sovereignty and women's rights. Her talk is titled “Justice, Gender Equality & Indigenous Rights.”
For more information visit, https://nmu.edu/united/programs.