Dear Darden,
Welcome to October! As a small reminder we are in the midst of Hispanic Heritage Month. If you have not yet had an opportunity to peruse it, UVA Libraries has curated a collection of works focusing on Hispanic/LatinX Heritage. October 20th also ushers in International Pronouns Day, the purpose of which is to make the sharing of pronouns commonplace, create an inclusive environment, and highlight the existence and rights of intersex, trans, non-binary and gender nonconforming people. Join Pride at Darden later this month for a Pronouns First Coffee.
We’re also excited to formally extend an invitation to our Belonging Book Club Series! Monthly conversations mediated by members of the Darden community focused on culture, belonging, and diversity, and featuring a book or movie to explore themes. Sign up for a session here. Our next meeting will be on October 25th, from 4:00pm -6:30pm, where we will be airing the documentary Disclosure.
Lastly, October 11th 2021 is Indigenous Peoples Day throughout the Commonwealth, paying homage to the original custodians of the land. We also encourage you to visit the Global Flag Hallway where tribal flags of members of our community are represented.
Resources of Interest This Month:
Interactive Indigenous Territories, Languages, and Treaties Map
Additional Events of Interest
First Generation Grad Student Coalition Kick-Off and Social
Thursday, 10.7, 3:00pm -5:00pm EST
This event, sponsored by the First Gen Grad Student Coalition will bring together First Gen UVA Grads to celebrate and connect students to each other and to allies in the community. President Ryan and VP of Student Affairs Robyn Hadley will be present to welcome students and the community.
Friday, 10.8, 1:00pm -2:15pm EST
Professor Bensimon invented the Equity Scorecard to help higher education leaders, practitioners, and faculty use data and the methods of participatory critical action research to “see” how racialization is embedded in their thinking, their language, their practices, and their outcomes. The Equity Scorecard tools were designed to engage teams of leaders, faculty, and staff ask the question: In what ways do our practices maintain racial inequity? In what ways can we center racial equity in our practices? The tools that comprise the equity scorecard support critical race sense-making of student outcomes, hiring practices, policies, resource distribution, and teaching artifacts.
Black Business Expo – IX Art Park
Saturday, 10.16, 2:00pm-9:00pm EST
Our 5th annual exposition for local Black business owners makes its in-person return! Panel discussions kick off at 2pm before the business pitch contest at 5pm. DJs spin throughout the afternoon and live music begins at 5:30. Presented in partnership with Lifeview Marketing, WTJU 91.1 FM, the University of Virginia Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Community Investment Collaborative, and United Way of Greater Charlottesville.
Monday, 10.25 4:00pm-6:30pm
In this documentary, produced by actress and activist Laverne Cox, leading trans creatives and thinkers share heartfelt perspectives and analysis about Hollywood’s impact on the trans community. Join Christie Julien for a discussion on the power of representation in the media, and a candid unvarnished look at the history of trans performers in Hollywood and beyond.
Notable Dates/Observances:
Global Diversity Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
World Mental Health Day – October 10th
Indigenous Peoples Day – October 11th
National Coming out Day – October 11th
Dasara – October 15th
International Pronouns Day – October 20th
What We’re Reading/Watching/Listening to This Week:
First-Generation College Grads Face More Hurdles in the Job Market
Adversity, Grit Led Duo to Create First Generation Graduate Student Coalition
How To Be a Trans Ally at Work
It’s a New Era For Mental Health at Work
