With the theme of “Race and Culture in the 21st Century,” °IJʿ Diversity Week, Sept. 15-19, will feature intellectual discussions, lectures, and cultural activities on campus as well as in the village of Hamilton, where a community festival will cap off the series of events.
“The goal of the inaugural Diversity Week is to recognize diversity initiatives on campus and create additional dialogue aimed at building a more inclusive community at °IJʿ and beyond,” said Keenan Grenell, vice president and dean of diversity.
Free and open to the public, Diversity Week events begin at 7 p.m., Sept. 15 in Persson Auditorium with a lecture by Ernest H. Adams, author of From Ghetto to Ghetto: An African American Journey to Judaism. Adams will share his perspective on the current American dialogue about race.
Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, will deliver the Diversity Week address on Thursday, Sept. 17.
Steele’s lecture, “Unity and Diversity: Common Ground in the 21st Century,” will be at 4:15 p.m. in Memorial Chapel.
He is expected to meet with a range of students and faculty during his time on campus, including several multicultural student organizations and the College Republicans.
In addition, Diversity Week activities will serve as a learning tool for Hamilton Central School students.
Artist Brian “Bydeeman” Joseph will collaborate with students to create a mural designed to exhibit inclusion in a positive, colorful way and talk about his personal experience as someone who lives with a disability.
From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, arts and crafts vendors, ethnic food booths, and musical acts will fill the Hamilton Village Green for The International Blast Festival: Different Rhythms, Same Drum. Starting at noon, “Bydeeman” will lead a parade through the village, kicking off the multicultural community festival.
Featured performers include Taiko-Masala, a Japanese martial arts and drumming group, and Aurora & Zon del Barrio, known for delighting audiences with eclectic varied genres of Latin music.
For a complete schedule of events, visit .