Upcoming DEIB Resources & Events | Fall 2023
Resources
KU Community
Get Involved! Join Faculty & Staff Councils
KU offers several self-governing councils for staff and faculty to network, find support, and advocate for their needs at the university. Find out more about each group and how to participate:
- Asian & Asian American FSC
- Black Faculty Staff Council
- Faculty Staff Council for Disability Inclusion
- First-Generation Faculty Staff Council
- International Faculty & Staff Council
- Jewish Faculty Staff Council
- Latinx Faculty Staff Council
- Native Faculty Staff Council
- Sexual & Gender Diversity Faculty Staff Council
- Women of Color Support Network
Apply for DEI Training Funds Through Staff Senate
Would you like to sharpen your professional skills or expand your knowledge, including within the DEI space? Staff Senate offers funding for external conferences, webinars, and other educational opportunities. Most awards range from $250-$500, and you must have been employed by KU for at least six months at the time of application. Learn more!
Request a Career Coach Through KU’s Human Resources Management
KU’s Human Resources Management team now offers free coaching services to help you achieve your career goals. Coaching topics include communication, conflict resolution, decision-making and problem-solving, goal setting and strategic thinking/planning, leadership and team development, organization and time management, and teamwork and relationship building. These one-on-one sessions can be held in person or via Zoom. Note: Some assessments related to coaching needs may charge fees. Contact hrdept@ku.edu or 785-864-4946 for more information.
Heritage Months
Throughout the year, certain identities and backgrounds are amplified and celebrated. The Office of DEIB offers this list to “amplify the KU community's understanding of the intersectional nature of cultures, histories, scholarship, and people.”
Lawrence Community
Sunrise Project
1501 Learnard Ave, Suite E
Sunrise Project serves Douglas County by providing space and opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to build an equitable community through education, good food, and social connection.
Community Meals are on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 5-7 p.m. Stay and dine-in or take your meals to-go. Donations accepted, but never required. Everyone is welcome! Need a delivery? Please email melissa@sunriseprojectks.org or text/call 785-865-1618.
The Porch Pantry is always open and always free. Take what you need, leave what you can. No questions asked.
Ballard Center Pantry
Ballard’s Pantry services are FREE and available to anyone and everyone, providing clothing (including a professional closet), food, and household basics. Call 785-842-0729 to make an appointment to access services, or complete the Volunteer Interest Form to volunteer at the Pantry.
Honor Moon Period Pantry
1312 W. 6th Street (Pantry #1) and 616 Kentucky Street (Pantry #2)
Honor Moon is an inclusive period pantry providing free access to menstrual products. It's accessible for anyone and everyone who menstruates to get the products they need, free of judgment and charge. Both pantries are filled regularly and accessible 24/7. If you are looking to benefit from Honor Moon in donations of larger amounts, reach out to us by email at honormoonlfk@gmail.com
Events
November
“The Invention of Colonialism” with Dr. Sebastian Sobecki
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 4 p.m. CT
Hall Center Conference Hall
“No Place Like Home: The Struggle Against Hate in Kansas” Documentary Screening & Panel
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. CT
Jayhawk Welcome Center (next to Adams Alumni Center)
Pancakes and Partnerships
Thursday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. CT
Kansas Union, Kansas Room
This networking event will consist of guided discussion between KU faculty, staff, and Lawrence community-based organizations in an informal space to explore potential connections around what drives us to build vibrant and increasingly just communities.
Liberation Lunch (Topic: Rainbow Camouflage)
Thursday, Nov. 9, 12 p.m.-1 p.m. CT
Kansas Union, Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity Office (Room 435)
Bring your lunch and discuss articles, books, current events, and more related to queer and trans liberation. A limited number of box lunches are available for first arrivals.
The Feminist Files: Black Women Shaping Feminist Thought
Thursday, Nov. 9, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. CT
Solidarity Library at Ecumenical Campus Ministries (ECM) AND via Zoom (passcode 981279)
Monthly reading group exploring feminist texts and featuring FREE book giveaways. Please note that the Emily Taylor Center encourages people to engage with the texts to at least some degree prior to the meeting to make for an informed discussion. However, attendees are not required to do the recommended reading and/or viewing to attend and participate in our conversation. See the reading list.
Community Resource Fair
Saturday, Nov. 11, 12-3 p.m. CT
Lawrence Public Library Auditorium, 707 Vermont Street
Stop by to check out the many services, supports, and resources available in our community including those related to affordable housing, childcare, healthcare, legal aid, and more!
Diwali Storytime
Sunday, Nov. 12, 3:30-4:30 p.m. CT
Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont Street
Celebrate Diwali at the Lawrence Public Library on November 12! Listen to a presentation and a story, and then have some fun making diyas (we'll be making paper version of these lanterns) and rangolis (stenciled designs with powdered chalk and flowers). Munch on Indian snacks and drinks while crafting!
Ukrainian Folk Dance Workshop
Monday, Nov. 13, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. CT
Kansas Union Ballroom
Free and open to the public. No dance experience necessary. Wear clothes and shoes that are easy to move in.
“Garden City” Film Screening & Discussion
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. CT
Alderson Room, Kansas Union
2023 Bilingual Interdisciplinary Virtual Symposium: “Druze Studies – Past, Present, and Future”
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. CT-Thursday, Nov. 16, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. CT
Via Zoom; registration required
Studying the Druze communities in the Middle East has captivated scholars and researchers from various fields and backgrounds. In the last two decades, there has been an increased interest and English publications on the Druze, but mainly regarding the Druze in Israel and, to a lesser extent, the Druze in Lebanon. The symposium will host online panels of original research on the Druze, and a round table discussion of scholars will speak to the status of Druze Studies. The keynote speaker will provide insight on publishing in English medium journals by multilingual scholars, and a film screening with discussion will complete the event. Arabic and English interpretations provided.
Liberation Lunch (Topic: Chosen Family)
Thursday, Nov. 16, 12 p.m.-1 p.m. CT
Kansas Union, Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity Office (Room 435)
Bring your lunch and discuss articles, books, current events, and more related to queer and trans liberation. A limited number of box lunches are available for first arrivals.
Indigenous Law Panel
Thursday, Nov. 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m. CT
Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont Street
Join the Lawrence Public Library in partnership with local indigenous voices, leaders, activists, and Willow Domestic Violence Center to hear about the realities of violence experienced in our Indigenous Communities. We’ll have local indigenous voices speak to the work they are doing to combat violence on local, state, and federal levels, and opportunities for community members to support this work.
Science on Tap: Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe / Sacred Red Rock Project
Thursday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. CT
Free State Brewing Company Beer Hall
The Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe / Sacred Red Rock Project is focused upon the return and relocation of Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe, the red Siouxan quartzite boulder currently located in Robinson Park, Lawrence, Kansas to the Kaw Nation, who have a centuries’ long relationship with the Rock and value it as a sacred item of prayer. Dr. Johnson's presentation will provide a brief overview and update on the progress of the project, specifically covering research into the Rock’s journeys.
Daniel Wildcat: On Indigenuity
Friday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. CT
Raven Bookstore, 809 Massachusetts Street
Join distinguished Haskell professor and local writer Daniel Wildcat as he launches his new book, On Indigenuity. Books will be available for sale and signing!
ISS Atlas Series: Pakistan
Tuesday, Nov. 21, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. CT
Watson Library, 3 West Reading Room
Learn about Pakistani culture from members of the Pakistani Student Association here at KU! Following the presentation, we'll have the opportunity to engage in a brief interactive experience and try some Pakistani food and drink. All are welcome.
Liberation Lunch (Topic: November Book Club – The Four Profound Weaves, by R.B. Lemberg)
Thursday, Nov. 30, 12 p.m.-1 p.m. CT
Kansas Union, Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity Office (Room 435)
Bring your lunch and discuss articles, books, current events, and more related to queer and trans liberation. A limited number of box lunches are available for first arrivals.
Artist Talk: Fahamu Pecou on Creating Oya's Dream
Thursday, Nov. 30, 4 p.m.-5 p.m. CT
Spencer Museum of Art, Perkins Central Court
Join artist Fahamu Pecou as he discusses his painting Parable of the Sower: Oya’s Dream, this year’s KU Common Work of Art. Commissioned by the Spencer Museum, the work symbolizes the new beginnings that emerge when one embraces the inevitability of change.
Learning from Gordon Parks
Thursday, Nov. 30, 6:30-8 p.m. CT
Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont Street
We’re celebrating the 111th birthday of the great African American author, photographer, and filmmaker Gordon Parks. Parks was well known for his documentation of American life and culture. In this presentation, photographer Ann Dean discusses the impact and inspiration found in Parks’s books: The Learning Tree, A Choice of Weapons, and Half Past Autumn.
December
The Black Lawrence Open Mic
Friday, Dec. 1, 7-9 p.m. CT
10th & Mass Studios, 1000 Massachusetts Street, Suite D
BLACK Lawrence is excited to host monthly open mics on the first Friday of the month in collaboration with the Lawrence Arts Center!
Liberation Lunch (Topic: End-of-semester wrap-up)
Thursday, Dec. 7, 12 p.m.-1 p.m. CT
Kansas Union, Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity Office (Room 435)
Bring your lunch and discuss articles, books, current events, and more related to queer and trans liberation. A limited number of box lunches are available for first arrivals.
Inclusive Holiday Market
Saturday, Dec. 16, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. CT
Lied Center of Kansas
Get ready to experience a festive extravaganza filled with joy, laughter, and unique treasures. This in person event is your one-stop-shop for all your holiday shopping needs. The Inclusive Holiday Market is more than just a shopping experience. It's a celebration of diversity and inclusivity. We are proud to showcase a variety of vendors from different backgrounds and cultures, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and represented.