May 1, 2024
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Multicultural Resource Center, spring 2022

The Empowerment Brunch, Celebrating Women, Non-Binary Folks and People of All Marginalized Genders, sponsored by Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies; the Professional Staff Senate and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, was held Sunday, March 27, 2022 at the University Downtown Center in Binghamton. A panel discussion moderated by Benita Roth, director and professor of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, was led by Yarrow Brown, founder of the Southern Tier Transgender Advocacy Group, licensed mental health counselor of the University Counseling Center Lesley Lopez, 4+1 Master of Human Rights student Jabari Randolph and youth activist Daphne Frias. The Empowerment Brunch, Celebrating Women, Non-Binary Folks and People of All Marginalized Genders, sponsored by Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies; the Professional Staff Senate and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, was held Sunday, March 27, 2022 at the University Downtown Center in Binghamton. A panel discussion moderated by Benita Roth, director and professor of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, was led by Yarrow Brown, founder of the Southern Tier Transgender Advocacy Group, licensed mental health counselor of the University Counseling Center Lesley Lopez, 4+1 Master of Human Rights student Jabari Randolph and youth activist Daphne Frias.
The Empowerment Brunch, Celebrating Women, Non-Binary Folks and People of All Marginalized Genders, sponsored by Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies; the Professional Staff Senate and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, was held Sunday, March 27, 2022 at the University Downtown Center in Binghamton. A panel discussion moderated by Benita Roth, director and professor of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, was led by Yarrow Brown, founder of the Southern Tier Transgender Advocacy Group, licensed mental health counselor of the University Counseling Center Lesley Lopez, 4+1 Master of Human Rights student Jabari Randolph and youth activist Daphne Frias. Image Credit: Jonathan Cohen.
March 29, 2022

Pathways to Inclusive Leadership

The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC), in collaboration with the Q Center and the UDiversity Educational Institute, have partnered with the Center for Civic Engagement, the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development, Residential Life and the School of Management to create the Pathways to Inclusive Leadership Program. The collaborative initiative was launched Feb. 6, 2022, and gives students an opportunity to explore leadership from a diverse and inclusive perspective.

The orientation event was held Feb. 6, and gave students an opportunity to engage in team-building activities and participate in the first core workshop, Foundations of Leadership. Twenty-three participants attended. The DEI core workshop was held Feb. 20 and allowed students to examine their social identities and learn about microaggressions, stereotyping, tips for effective intercultural communication and embracing queer identities. Participants then connected these topics to their understanding of leadership in a diverse world.

Black History Month

The MRC collaborated with several departments and student organizations for Black History Month events this semester. To start the month, the MRC collaborated with the Black Student Union to host its BHM Kickoff celebration in the Tillman Lobby. The MRC also worked with the Thurgood Marshall Pre-Law Society during its annual law week to co-facilitate a presentation on “Confronting Microaggressions in the Workplace.”

Additionally, the MRC participated in the Educational Opportunity Program’s (EOP) First-Year Plug event Feb. 17. This event provided a space for over 40 first-year EOP students to be introduced to campus resources from student affairs departments, student organizations and campus initiatives. The MRC also partnered with the Africana Studies Department to co-host “The New African Diaspora: The Intersection of Identity, Race and Culture” webinar. The event highlighted four faculty members from the University of Connecticut, SUNY Cortland, Lehman College and Howard University who shared their research and experiences regarding the intersectionality of identity and race in Black/African communities. More than 100 attendees participated in this webinar.

Lastly, the MRC supported two initiatives from Residential Life RAs on Feb. 25. The first program was a celebration of Black artists and a presentation of MRC resources. After this program, attendees were encouraged to attend the second program the MRC participated in, which was a screening of “Summer of Soul: Or When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised.” The MRC co-sponsored food from local Black-owned businesses.

Women’s History Month

The Multicultural Resource Center and the Q Center planned the 2022 Empowerment Brunch: Celebrating women, non-binary folks and people of all marginalized genders in collaboration with the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies program. Held Sunday, March 27, in the University Downtown Center atrium, the event rallied behind our shared struggles, and, in doing so, hopes to foster a sense of community within the Binghamton campus community and our larger network. The event included a moderated panel of local activists and community leaders with open discussion and Q&A. This year we highlighted three stellar members of our community who go above and beyond in areas of activism, community service, leadership and scholarship.

The MRC also planned an In-Reach program titled “Relaxation Hour,” which was designed to provide a safe, reflective space for women of color to come together and practice a variety of self-help activities with one another. The program provided facilitated demonstrations for students.

Continued mentorship

This quarter, the MRC hosted two New Student of Color Mentoring Program Mixers. The first mixer was Feb. 10 and the second mixer was held in March. The first mixer had 33 participants in attendance and the second 27 participants. Next quarter, the MRC is planning to have two more mixers to continue to build on relationships developed this semester. Furthermore, the MRC is seeking partnership with the NAACP campus chapter to include peer mentoring.

During this quarter, the B-College Bound mentors facilitated two workshops for mentees on Feb. 10 and Feb. 27. In these workshops, mentors provided tips on time management and study skills. The MRC hosted a mixer for the mentors and mentees on Feb. 17, and partners with Harpur Edge for the March 31 mixer.

In collaboration with The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier, the MRC coordinated a weekly volunteer reader program for grade-school students during the Discovery Center preschool and afterschool programs. There are currently five volunteer readers from Binghamton’s campus, representing three student organizations.

Additional programming/partnerships

Graduate Opportunity Panel (GOP) Panel: In collaboration with the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), the MRC planned the second GOP Panel for undergraduate EOP students interested in graduate school to be held March 25. The event began with an overview of GOP assistance in the SUNY system and how EOP students can apply for funding. After the overview, four current GOP recipients and graduate students at Binghamton answered questions about the process of receiving GOP, how they learned about it and any advice they could share with the students in attendance. Lastly, the participants had the opportunity to participate in a mock budgeting program.

Career Talks with Tiffany Soto with Fleishman: In collaboration with the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development, the MRC launched a biweekly career development service in the MRC Lounge with Tiffany Soto, the new diversity engagement specialist. This service gives students in the MRC the opportunity to ask career-related questions regarding resumes, cover letters, career exploration, finding jobs and internships, applying for graduate school and much more. The service launched in March and will continue through May 11.

The MRC received 10 collaboration requests during this quarter and seven were approved and completed. Three are pending. The MRC also participated in three campus-wide committees: Newing Collegiate Professor Search, Office of Student Conduct Code Review Committee, Late Nite Program Coordinator Search Committee.

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