Celebrate Diversity Day at BBC Oct. 20

When slam poet Jason Carney was an 18-year-old self-described “skinhead,” a gay man reached out and changed his life.

Jason Carney. Photo courtesy of TheCollgeAgency.com.

Carney had met the man, who was dying from AIDS, in a rehab center, and the encounter struck him to his core. Using poetry to redefine his world, he transformed the hate and ignorance that permeated his southern upbringing to educate and participate in honest conversations about race, class and gender.

The performer will have one such conversation with the FIU community when he delivers the keynote speech of Diversity Day 2011 at Biscayne Bay Campus on Thursday, Oct. 20, in the Wolfe University Center.

The day of activities will kick off at 10 a.m. with the Diversity Fair and Breakfast in Panther Square.

Carney’s address – titled “One Act of Kindness” – will begin at 11 a.m. in the WUC Theatre, followed by lunch at noon in the WUC Ballrooms, followed by a panel discussion on the topic of religion and homosexuality between 1-2 p.m.

Now in its 11th year, BBC’s Diversity Day is organized by a committee of volunteers from several university units, including the Student Government Association and Campus Life-BBC. Committee members include Craig Cunningham, Valerie Morgan, Diann Newman, Sabrena O’Keefe, Camille Perkins, Ivey Siegel, Lisa Zuniga, and is always welcoming new members.

“Our goal is to increase awareness, tolerance and appreciation of diversity,” said Diann Newman, assistant dean for Student Services at the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

“When our students listen to someone speak about personal experiences with discrimination or intolerance, it helps to increase their compassion and sense of connection to others. We bring great speakers to campus and serve a delicious lunch. It’s definitely a program worth attending!”

For more information about Diversity Day 2011, call the Office of Campus Life at BBC at 305-919-5804 .