Though specific events and speakers change annually, our commitment to diversity programming does not. The list below provides a sampling of the kinds of events students can expect at McDaniel
Global Issues Colloquium: “Migration and Communities in the U.S. and Beyond”
This community-wide, interactive discussion of global migration provided participants the opportunity to come to a greater understanding of the forces that drive migration and how immigration shapes communities in the U.S. and in other countries.
National Coming Out Day Celebration
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion, in collaboration with the McDaniel College Gender Sexuality Alliance, celebrates National Coming Out Day.
Alina Fernandez: Daughter of Fidel Castro
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Alina Fernandez shared her first-person, intimate account of growing up in Cuba, and the many, broad sweeping changes effecting Cuba today and into the future, as a result of Obama era politics and social and political reforms.
C. Anthony Muse: “Race, Faith and Politics”
Mr. Muse is a Baltimore native who earned a Doctorate from Howard University, currently the Senior Pastor of Ark of Safety Christian Church and serving his third term as a senator representing Maryland's 26th Legislative District. He discussed the intersection of Race, Faith and Politics.
National Museum of the American Indian: Weekend Blitz Trip
In celebration of American Indian Heritage Month, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in collaboration with the Office of Student Engagement sponsored a trip to the National Museum of the American Indian. The focus of the trip was to attend the exhibit: Return to a Native Place: Algonquian Peoples of the Chesapeake.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Wellness Center and McDaniel College Gender Sexuality Alliance observed Transgender Day of Remembrance. There was a vigil to honor and remember all of the transgender individuals who had died this year and various other events for students, faculty and staff to observe this day.
Ernie G, Empowerment Comedian
Ernie G is one of the hottest, multi-talented, young Latino entertainers in the country today. Ernie has developed his own unique form of Comedy he calls “Latino Edutainment – Educating and Entertaining with a Latino Flavor!” and has performed for many of the country’s top organizations and corporations, including Disney, Pepsi-Co, General Mills, U.S. Armed Forces, National Council de la Raza, Latin American Educational Foundation and the Hispanic College Fund. Co-sponsored by League of League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Ernie G, Leadership Workshop
Ernie G facilitated a Leadership workshop for students to increase and maximize their leadership potential. Co-sponsored by League of League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Enzo Silon Surin, Poet, Educator, publisher and social advocate
Enzo Silon Surin, Haitian-born poet, educator, publisher and social advocate, and the author of two chapbooks, A Letter of Resignation: An American Libretto (2017) and Higher Ground (2006). He is recipient of a Brother Thomas Fellowship from The Boston Foundation and is a PEN New England Celebrated New Voice in Poetry. Enzo’s talk “We Are The Ones We Have Been Waiting For” focused on reclaiming our past in order to liberate and empower our present. Co-sponsored by Black Student Union. (Part of Black History Month celebration)
Kavindu Jointe, Spoken Word Poet
"As a Black Transgender Queer person, Kavi bridges the intersections of personal and political identity, with poems that focus on a range of topics, such as street harassment, sexuality, class, gender, race, love, relationships, grief and hope." Co-Sponsored by McDaniel College’s Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
Phenomenal Women Awards Banquet
In Celebration of Women’s History month, ODI honored a student and faculty/staff member that exemplified what it is to be a McDaniel College woman. The program was based off the Maya Angelou poem “Phenomenal Woman”. Co-sponsored by Phenomenal Women and Part of Women’s History Month celebration.
Storm Smith: The Untapped Gold Mine of Adversity that Virtually No One Knows About
This presentation invited the audience to experience the powerful story of Storm Smith, a Deaf woman of color and acclaimed creative filmmaker/visual storyteller. They learned all about her transformative journey from growing up in Los Angeles, to constantly making the ultimate decisions as a Psychology student in Washington D.C., to unexpectedly landing a dream career at a top advertising agency in New York. Co-sponsored by the ASL Program.
1st Generation Student Panel
Office of Diversity and Inclusion sponsored a 1st generation student panel to hear from faculty, staff and students that identify as a 1st generation student. The panel discussed what they have gone through as a 1st generation student, what were some of the obstacles and how to overcome these challenging barriers. Co-sponsored by Palabras 2 Words.
Henry Navarrette Méndez
Henry’s presentation depicted his journey that took him from El Salvador to the United States. Henry walked the audience through his encounters with cartels; ending up in a Mexican juvenile detention center and eventually getting the opportunity go to college in the U.S.
Inclusive Excellence Award Ceremony
ODI proudly celebrates McDaniel College’s graduating seniors who have demonstrated inclusive excellence during their career here at McDaniel College.