diversity WORKS Magazine Summer 2018 Celebrating Diversity at Marist Photo by Desmond Murray Desmond by Photo

Marist alumni Calvin McCoy ‘12 (left) and Emelia Lartey ’15 (right) attended the 2018 Mon Afrique celebration on campus. Lartey initiated Mon Afrique at Marist in 2012. Our Staff

Katherine Tijerina, Photograoher

Desmond Murray, Editor Marika Cygert, Staff Writer

Peta-Gaye Thomas, Staff Photographer Raphael Beretta, Staff Writer

2 diversity WORKS Contents Summer 2018

Our Staff...... 2

Mon Afrique Legacy Continues at Marist...... 4

Black History Month Exhibit at Marist in Italy...... 5

Diversity is Forever Growing at Marist...... 6

Screening and Discussion Features Angy Rivera ...... 7

Michelle Alexander Discusses Her Book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness..... 8

Marist Administrator Attends TechDay in New York City...... 9

More Than 60 Students Inducted into Honor Society for High-Achieving Students with Disabilities...... 10

The Past, Present and Future of Black History – For The Culture...... 11

President Emeritus Dennis J. Murray Honored at 27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast...... 12

A Taste of Soul...... 14

Women in Technology...... 15

Editor: Desmond Murray | Copyeditor: Leslie Bates Production Coordinator: Deirdre Marsh

Diversity Works is published twice a year by the Marist College Diversity Council Marist College, 3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 845/575-3000 ext. 2477 | Find us on Twitter @MaristDiversity | [email protected] Mon Afrique Legacy Continues at Marist

By Desmond Murray, Editor

n April 2018, hundreds of guests including Marist faculty, Istaff, students, and members of the outside community attended Mon Afrique in the James J. McCann Recreation Center.

Mon Afrique is a formal gala presented by the Marist Blackout for African Awareness committee featuring music, food, and speakers all aimed at celebrating Africa and expanding understanding of the continent.

Emelia Lartey ’15, one of the speakers at the event, told the audience about the history of the event and why it is so important to continue the tradition at Marist. Lartey, a Ghanaian alumna from London, England, saw a need at Marist for greater awareness of Africa, from the diversity of its countries and cultures to political issues and its emerging role in global affairs. The organization aims to celebrate Africa, educate the campus community, and support African students at Marist.

The theme for the 2018 Mon Afrique event was “Our Heritage.” Highlights of this year’s program included a fashion show featuring custom outfits by an African designer, Photos by Desmond Murray poetry, and dance. Hundreds of guests including Marist faculty, staff, Mon Afrique was initiated by Lartey in 2012 and first held students, and members in the Student Center. What began as a small project of the outside community has now blossomed into a grand celebration. The event is attended Mon Afrique in supported April in the James J. McCann Recreation Center. by the Center for Multicultural Affairs, Student Affairs, the Gospel Choir, and the Office of the President.

4 Growing anti-immigration sentiment in Italian politics concur- Black History Month rent with consistently large numbers migrating from Northern Africa makes the intercultural dialogue BHMF seeks to foster Exhibit at Marist in more important than ever. These “conversations” between an Italian people entrenched in centuries of rigid tradition and a Italy scattered African population often displaced by political and economic turmoil have grown increasingly sour in the public By Raphael Beretta, Senior Writer Abroad forum.

“There has currently been racially motivated violence directed at refugees in Italy,” Enriquez said. “Many people here do not attered posters adorning the facade of a decrepit building accept refugees. Images such as these might make people have in Florence, Italy, gave Marist students and passersby alike T a change of heart.” rare glimpses into the hearts of migrants recently. The exhibit became the centerpiece of a discussion by students in Florence Black History Month Florence has brought new perspectives in a course on ethics and migration. and started important conversations since its inception in 2016. Peekskill, NY’s Justin Randolph Thompson, an artist and The display, a series of photographs, was presented by the a professor at Lorenzo de’ Medici in Florence, founded the organization Black History Month Florence on the walls of the organization in order to form “a community dedicated to chal- former Sant’Orsola convent. “Black is the Color of My True lenging flattened narratives about African and African diasporic Love’s Hair” featured the works of several photographers cultures and disseminating culturally diverse programming,” including Martina Bacigalupo, Joana Choumali, Adji Dieye, according to BHMF’s mission statement. Kevin Jerome Everson, Délio Jasse, and Tommaso Tancredi. The pieces explored the social implications and psychological For more information, visit www.blackhistorymonthflorence.com/ ramifications of identity documentation and legal status.

The faces of several subjects embellishing the walls were blocked out by white rectangles, representing the superseding of migrant identities with document papers. Other parts of the building presented a myriad of real identity-document photo- graphs taken of people before and during their migration process.

Students enrolled in the Ethics and Migration Honors seminar taught by Marist School of Liberal Arts professor Dr. Sasha Biro visited the exhibit in conjunction with their class. The visit was to spark interest in the topic, incite discussion, and stimulate attempts to empathize with groups of people undergoing very different struggles than the students.

Led by Biro, the students convened in front of the building in early February. They discussed the potential relevance of themes presented by the artists to the topics explored in their course: immigrant identity crises, forced assimilation, and documentation.

Janet Enriquez, a member of the Marist Freshman Florence Experience, was among the students. The exhibit, she said, Black History Month exhibit on the walls of the former “can make others more aware of the different circumstances Sant’Orsola convent in Italy. migrants go through. Not everyone is happy to leave their hometown or is able to carry all of their belongings with them. Photo by Raphael Beretta It was really impactful.”

5 Affairs, the Diversity Council, Student Activities, the Student Diversity is Forever Government Association, the Appreciating Races and Creating Opportunities club, Black Student Union, and the Student Growing at Marist Programming Council. The organizations and clubs collaborated on planning, hosting, and funding events such as Open Mic By Marika Cygert, Staff Writer Night and Hispanic Culture Corner during Hispanic Heritage Month, the Indian Culture Celebration and Film Screening, the “Sending Smoke Signals: Representations and Realities of Native America” talk, and several more. ibrant colors, unique patterns, and intricate embroidery surrounded the audience. A white dashiki with detailed V Ruiz-Grech believes that this year Marist focused on observing stitching of green and gold tribal patterns, representing West Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting several events that truly Africa, was the first traditional clothing showcased in the Global celebrated Hispanic/Latino culture such as “Who We Are,” Fashion Show at Marist. To loud music, a female Marist student which examined how Hispanic stereotypes affect individuals fiercely strutted down the runway in a shoulder-draped emerald and society as a whole. During this month of celebration, satin dress, showcasing her Rwandan culture. As the audience students also had the opportunity to dance to the Mikata watched intently for the next country to be announced, a Salsa Band with its repertoire of hard-hitting salsa, merengue, female student wearing a fiery red and gold kosode walked the bachata, and many more traditional Hispanic tunes. runway, representing Japan. Events like these were not the only milestones that are helping The show was one of many events held by the Center for promote diversity on campus. Earlier this academic year, Marist Multicultural Affairs and other organizations this past academic welcomed award-winning novelist Reyna Grande who delivered year to better represent the student body and promote a lecture about her life before and after illegally emigrating from diversity on campus. “Diversity has always been at the forefront Mexico to the United States. Grande shared her inspirational of our institution,” said Iris Ruiz-Grech, director of the Center coming-of-age story about the pursuit of a better life which was for Multicultural Affairs. “The fact that there are more events highlighted in her memoir, The Distance Between Us. Similarly, and opportunities for students and faculty to be aware and Marist also welcomed Syrian refugee Sana Mustafa to deliver a celebrate diversity is commendable.” lecture titled “Refugees in Our Community.” Ruiz-Grech believes that diversity is extremely important at a Addrain Conyers, a member of the Diversity Council, leader in college campus. She is not the only one who thinks so. “There academic diversity initiatives and a criminal justice professor at is a lot of conformity at Marist, but Marist can continue to grow Marist, believes that “promoting diversity is a priority because it and add to the diversity of our students by recruiting more produces a more well-rounded educational experience.” Marist students internationally,” said junior Brittany Colatosti, who has also diversified its academic offerings with classes such as modeled in the fashion show. Race and Ethnicity, Race in America, Royal Arts of Africa, and Diversity in Media. Sophomore Ornella Mihigo, another student model, defined diversity as “anything that is out of the norm. The norm at “Marist College has been very proactive in promoting Marist, the majority of people represented are white straight diversity for an institution that is historically homogeneous,” non-disabled Americans, mostly from the East Coast, so every said Conyers. “We have many professors who have taken on person out of that box is diverse in a way.” Although she said leadership roles to spread awareness on topics such as but that Marist is not the most diverse school, she believes that not limited to race, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender, and things are changing in a positive way. religion.” Diverse organizations, clubs, and programs such as Appreciating Audience member Tyler Schulz, a junior, said that diversity is Races and Creating Opportunities, Black Student Union, Asian very important to him because “we should all be united on Alliance, the Higher Education Opportunity Program, the Liberty campus.” Partnership Program, Ally Training, and the Diversity Council have all contributed to the increase in diversity at Marist. Marist continued to promote diversity through events organized by Student Affairs, the Center for Multicultural The statistics of the Marist study body speak for themselves.

Continued on page 11

6 Screening and Discussion Features Angy Rivera

Photo Essay by Katherine Tijerina

ngy Rivera, a Colombia-born New York-raised Aundocumented immigrant, was at Marist in February 2018 for a screening and discussion of the PBS POV documentary about her life, Don’t Tell Anyone (No Le Digas a Nadie). The screening was held in the Lowell Thomas Communications Center.

Don’t Tell Anyone is a film about courage, facing insurmountable obstacles, and the determination to fight for justice. In an environment where silence is often seen as necessary for survival, 24-year-old Rivera stepped out of the shadows to share her journey of being both undocumented and sexually abused, an ordeal all too common in her community.

In the documentary, viewers follow Rivera’s personal story from poverty in rural Colombia to the front page of the New York Times as she became a beacon in a movement for national change. Through vérité footage and candid interviews, Angy Rivera talks with students. viewers witness the reality faced by more than 11 million Photo by Katherine Tijerina undocumented people in America today, many of whom have no options for a pathway to citizenship.

Rivera entered the United States with her mother at the age of four. Since high school, Rivera had always been involved in her community. During her senior year of high school, Rivera first heard about the Dream Act and the New York State Youth Leadership Council. She joined the organization in 2009 and in 2010 came out as undocumented in a public way for the first time. Rivera started the country’s first undocumented- youth advice column, called “Ask Angy.” Rivera inspired her undocumented mother, Maria, to speak openly about her own Angy Rivera visited Marist for a status as well. screening and discussion of the PBS The presentation was sponsored by the Marist World Film POV documentary Program and the Department of Modern Languages and about her life, Don’t Tell Anyone (No Le Cultures, with the support of the Center for Multicultural Digas a Nadie). Affairs/HEOP.

Photo by Katherine Tijerina

7 as “racial and social control instead of crime prevention.” She Michelle Alexander illustrated this through an experience that forced to her “wake up” at a time where minorities and those who were being Discusses Her Book targeted by the police needed to be fought for. The New Jim Crow: Alexander shared that while she was working as a civil rights lawyer, racial profiling was not believed to be a valid or real concept. She received thousands of calls on a hotline to report Mass Incarceration discrimination by the police and she aimed to document patterns of police discrimination. After interviewing one in the Age of man who came forward, Alexander had more than enough documentation on police discrimination and racial profiling Colorblindness to put up a fight against the system. However, as soon as he revealed that he was a felon, she told him that she could not By Marika Cygert, Staff Writer represent him. She remembers his reply to her vividly: “You’re no better than the police. The second I tell you I’m a felon, you arist College welcomed Michelle Alexander, highly stop listening.” Macclaimed civil rights lawyer, social justice advocate, and legal scholar, March 1 to discuss the topic of her best seller, The The conversation then led to the topic of how racism has New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. changed over the years. She shared that although some might The discussion in the Nelly Goletti Theatre took the form of think that racial bias has increased because we see it more, it has an interview between Alexander and faculty members Dr. Tia not; it is simply coming to light more. Alexander also said that Gaynor, assistant professor of public administration, and Dr. after Barack Obama was elected president, “we conquered, but Jocelyn Smith Lee, assistant professor of psychology. In the now we are at a very different point. Our current political system conversation, Alexander examined the role of the criminal justice is not designed for poor people or people of color.” She said that system in perpetuating racial hierarchy. because of this unfortunate reality, important conversations like this one are a necessity. Alexander expressed that systemic racism in the American prison system reveals how mass incarceration has come to replace Alexander also spoke on the importance of narratives and how segregation; it has become “the new Jim Crow.” In Alexander’s they shape our perceptions. eyes, the criminal justice system’s motive can be better defined “Stereotypes about African Americans are used to normalize the system of mass incarceration in the United States,” Alexander said. “Stereotypes about minorities and immigrants Marist College continue to make us welcomed Michelle perceive the world in a Alexander, highly certain way.” She shared acclaimed civil rights that even though data lawyer, social justice shows that immigrants advocate, and legal scholar, March 1 to are less likely to commit discuss the topic of crimes than U.S. citizens, her best seller, The stereotypes and narratives New Jim Crow: Mass perpetuate the racial Incarceration in the atmosphere and profiling. Age of Colorblindness.

Alexander then spoke Photo by Carlo de about the power people Jesus have to fight injustice. “Each and every one of us

Continued on page 9

8 Continued from page 8 has value and dignity. Each and every one of us is deserving of stand to change them,” said freshman Benjamin Czuprinski. basic human rights.” “Ms. Alexander’s words left me with the powerful realization that even if an issue like this hasn’t been present in my own Students found the presentation powerful. “The lecture given life, or been at the forefront of media attention, it certainly by Michelle Alexander opened my eyes to the seriousness does not mean these issues do not exist and require immediate of the racial disparity in our criminal justice system,” said action by everyday people like ourselves.” sophomore Ashana Neale. “It made me understand the importance of raising awareness on this national issue.” Alexander closed with these words: “Remain awake through this social revolution.” “In listening to Michelle Alexander speak, I was stunned by the The students in the audience thanked her for her visit and she depth and variety of issues facing the criminal justice system, received a standing ovation. but so grateful that there are brave women and men taking a

Marist Administrator Attends TechDay in New York City By Desmond Murray, Editor

esmond Murray, associate direc- Dtor for the employer experience and editor, Diversity Works Magazine, attended TechDay May 10 at Pier 94 in New York City. The event gave at- tendees an exclusive look into today’s latest and greatest tech, offering direct access to startup founders, directors of accelerator programs, and employers.

TechDay drew representatives from more than 500 startups and ap- proximately 20,000 attendees. The attendees consist of investors, users, developers, and job seekers,

Representatives from Flatiron Health, one of the leading tech companies in the fight against cancer, spoke with job seekers concerning internship and full-time job opportunities. Head- quartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco, Flatiron Health Ahmadu Gidado of Flatiron Health (left) speaks with Desmond Murray, associate director has nearly 500 employees including for the employer experience and editor, Diversity Works Magazine (right), concerning oncologists, nurses, data scientists, internship and full-time opportunities with his organization. engineers, and researchers. Flatiron’s vision is to build a connected technol- ogy platform that enables the devel- opment of actionable insights that can help cancer researchers and care providers learn from every patient’s experience.

9 More Than 60 Students Inducted into Honor Society for High-Achieving Students with Disabilities

By Susan Jenkins, Learning Specialist/Interim Assistant Director, Office of Accommodations and Accessibility

ore than 60 high-achieving Marist students became awareness to the hours of hard work and determination we Mmembers of the Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Soci- all have to succeed,” said Welsh. “It also helps the faculty ety on Feb. 21. Members of Delta Alpha Pi identify themselves and staff to understand more about the effort and pride that as honor students who also have a disability, representing the students with disabilities put into their studies.” richly diverse learning community at Marist. Welsh encouraged the inductees by relating her personal experience. Parents and members of the Marist community, including “Looking back at high school, I was embarrassed to let anyone Executive Vice President Geoffrey Brackett and Vice President know about my disability,” explained Welsh. “But when I came for Student Affairs Deborah DiCaprio, were on hand for the to Marist I realized that there are so many people like me, induction ceremony, applauding these students for their high who learn differently . . . Upon arriving at Marist I realized that academic achievement. there are people who care and who want me to be the most successful person I can be — disability or not.” Meghan Welsh, president of the Marist Chapter of Delta Alpha Pi, addressed the inductees, encouraging them to embrace Senior Professional Lecturer of Law Annamaria Maciocia who they are and to have confidence in themselves. Welsh is a served as the keynote speaker for the event. Maciocia is the senior majoring in fashion merchandising. recipient of the Faculty Awareness Award, which recognizes a faculty member who has made Marist a more accessible “It’s important for Marist to have an honor society that learning environment. recognizes students with disabilities because it brings

10 The Past, Present and Future of Black History – For The Culture

By Marika Cygert, Staff Writer policies are written in a certain way that in turn affect more people of color than not.” n celebration of Black History Month, the Center for The speakers stressed the importance of communication in IMulticultural Affairs held the #ForTheCulture event to shed the ability to fight injustice. Dr. Brandow said words have the light on the past, present, and future of black history. The event “ability to shape dominant ideology and culture,” that words took shape as an interactive conversation guided by special help represent and shape race relations, class definitions, world guests Dr. Crystal Brandow, an adjunct professor and research views, ideas of beauty, and so much more. assistant at SUNY Albany, and Jasmin Brandow, the cofounder of the HumanKind Workshop. The audience of about 50 To illustrate that everyone has their own story, the speakers students, faculty, and staff of different backgrounds discussed led the “Privilege Walk” activity. It began with a large group of ways race, ethnicity, and identity have been and continue to be students, faculty, and staff forming a straight line in the front of communicated in society. the room. The speakers read statements representing people’s experience. If the statement applied to them, they were to The Brandow sisters highlighted the importance of the power follow the instruction associated with it. Some examples of of communication. They briefly covered black American statements were “If English is your first language, take one step history from 1619 to 2018 and then led a discussion about to the left” or “If you have experienced depression or isolation, representation, the importance of people’s stories, and what step to the right.” The activity allowed the audience members to conversations need to take place in our society. see how different they were from each other.

Jasmin Brandow explained that stories and narratives are The audience members appreciated the #ForTheCulture event important because they “shape our perceptions and our whole for its representation of and celebration of black history as well reality.” She cited the murder of Emmett Till as an example of a as the inclusion that it promoted. “Conversations like these are story that mattered because it was the “exposure and depiction important to have,” said sophomore Janice Alcantara, adding of the story through images that forced the public to no longer that she felt more represented in that room than she previously avoid racial violence.” had at Marist.

The guest speakers also conducted a conversation with the The Brandow sisters believe that opportunities such as their audience about how stereotypes affect everyday life for presentation shift perceptions and can shift a culture over time. people of different backgrounds, but especially minorities and “Young people are leading us right now, like they always have— people of color in mass imprisonment. “Although five times from middle schools to college campuses,” said Jasmin Brandow. the number of white people use drugs, 10 percent more black “I think it behooves the rest of us to listen to the future.” people go to jail,” Jasmin Brandow said. “Because of bias, some

Continued from page 6

Ethnic diversity in the student body has increased in all Is Marist really doing enough? “Nobody is doing enough,” ethnicities over the past few years. From 2006 to 2016 the said Ruiz-Grech. She believes that promoting diversity is a black student population has increased from 2.6 to 3.7 percent, challenge, and achieving greater diversity at Marist is a “work the Hispanic/Latino student population from 5.2 to 9.6 percent, in progress.” and the Asian student population from 2.6 to 3.1 percent. These increases are not major, but they are steps towards “Marist is on the right track to promote diversity,” Conyers said. achieving a more culturally diverse student body. “But we have a lot more to do.”

11 President Emeritus Dennis J. Murray Honored at 27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast By Desmond Murray, Editor

r. Dennis J. Murray, president emeritus of Marist, was one Dof four honorees at the 27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast sponsored by Catharine Street Community Center.

Murray was recognized for his dedication and support of Catharine Street Community Center. Two youth were also honored as well as Adrian “Butch” Anderson, sheriff of Dutchess County.

Maurice DuBois, award-winning broadcast journalist and anchorman with CBS-2, delivered the keynote address at this fundraising event which draws as many as 600 attendees each year. DuBois’s accolades include the New York Association of Black Journalists’ Trailblazer Award, five Emmy awards, and honors from the Associated Press and the New York State Dennis Murray, president emeritus of Marist (left), Maurice DuBois, Broadcasters Association. award-winning broadcast journalist and anchorman with CBS-2 (center), and Freddimir Garcia, special assistant to the president for diversity, inclusion, and community engagement (right), pose at the The Richard K. Wager Inclusive Champion Award went to the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY, after the 27th Annual Latin American Motorcycle Association, Empire State Chapter. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast sponsored by Catharine Street Community Center. On that same day, DuBois visited Marist. He met with faculty, staff, and students in the Student Center to discuss news and Photo by Desmond Murray current events and later had lunch with members of the Marist community.

Maurice DuBois, award-winning broadcast journalist and anchorman with CBS-2 (center, in suit and tie), met with Marist faculty, staff, and students to discuss news and current events

Photo by Carlo de Jesus

12 A Taste of Soul

Photo Essay by Peta-Gay Thomas

he Valley Cafe (Sodexo) in conjunction with the Black Month in February. Marist faculty, staff, and students were TStudent Union sponsored a Taste of Soul food menu in able to sample various dishes related to African American the Murray Student Center Cabaret during Black History culture.

13 Resources for Ethnic, Racial, and Cultural Diversity at Marist College By Desmond Murray, Editor

he Marist community is comprised of people from all •Marist College Weiss Language Center - Provides Tcultures and backgrounds, and we believe the College is teaching resources for current and aspiring teachers of world at its best when it reflects the great diversity in our nation languages and resources for research and grants. and the world. From the annual Mon Afrique and Diwali Academic Opportunities: celebrations to guest speakers like Cornel West and Reyna •Modern Languages and Cultures Department - The Grande, Marist is a mosaic of traditions, ideas, and lived Modern Languages and Cultures Department within the experiences. As a community of learners, we are stronger School of Liberal Arts offers a diverse selection of programs because of our diversity, the educational experience is richer, designed to enhance and enlighten students’ experiences and students are better prepared to take their place as leaders with both language and culture, including Spanish, Latin in today’s complex society. American and Caribbean Studies, Arabic, German, Chinese, Global Studies, and more! Resources at Marist: •Race and Gender Reading Group (RGRG) - The •Center for Multicultural Affairs - Plans and Race and Gender Reading Group (RGRG) aims to contribute implements educational, cultural, social programs on diversity to the campus discussion of these issues by providing an to facilitate cross cultural dialogue for the entire campus. interdisciplinary setting in which students and faculty can look The CMA houses resources for racial, ethnic, and cultural at readings together and engage in discussion of the points education. they raise and related topics.

14 Women in Technology

StudySoup is offering a $1,000 Women in Technology Scholarship to an outstanding female student who is plan- ning a career in the field of computer science and/or computer programming.

Scholarship Eligibili ty: •Applicants must be at least 18 years of age •Currently attending high school or equivalent •Currently attending a college or university

Graduate and Undergraduate students are welcome to apply How to Apply: Please go to https://studysoup.com/scholarships/women-in-technology-schola rship?msID-a4d87031-bc7e-47b5-bee l -c3cedc273ffe & fill out the application

Deadline: September 14th 2018

15 diversity Marist College WORKS 3399 North Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

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