Diversity Initiatives

Kent State Stark is committed to providing an environment that recognizes the value of bringing together people from all cultures and backgrounds. To this end, the Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) is responsible for creating opportunities for the campus community to get together and experience diversity in all its forms by:

Sponsoring events that celebrate diversity
Inviting speakers that focus on diverse topics
Developing strategies for bringing diversity into the classroom
Increasing efforts to recruit students, faculty and staff with a diverse background

2013 Diversity Events

The Black List
Volume I - Wednesday, Feb. 6 | 12:30 - 2 p.m.
Volume II - Wednesday, Feb. 13 | 12:30 - 2 p.m.
Volume III - Wednesday, Feb. 20 | 12:30 - 2 p.m.
Library Conference Room

Photographer/filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and public radio host, journalist and former New York Times critic Elvis Mitchell produced video portraits of some of todayâ€™s most prominent African Americans from the areas of arts, sports, politics, business and government. The series provides insight on identity, diversity and race in America. Each video will be followed by a moderated discussion.

An Evening with NFL Hall of Famer Willie Brown
Wednesday, Feb. 20
6 p.m.
The University Center

Willie Brown, a cornerback from the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders, tallied 54 interceptions during his AFL/NFL career. Perhaps his most famous moment came when he returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown in the Raidersâ€™ Super Bowl XI victory. Don't miss out on this unique educational seminar as Willie Brown shares his story about the American Football League and playing professional football during the tumultuous 1960s.

Electric Blues by the Wallace Coleman Band
Featuring an opening performance by Jody Getz & Friends
Thursday, Feb. 28
6 p.m.
Main Hall Auditorium

Wallace Coleman, a 10-year veteran of the Grammy Award-winning Robert Lockwood Jr. Band, started his own band in 1996. Four years later, he established his own record label, Pinto Blues Music. Since then, he has released five CDs, including Repossession Blues with UK bluesman Dave Thomas and his latest release, Blues In The Wind, Remembering Robert Jr. Lockwood. Coleman has won a Living Blues Award for fan favorite, as well as garnered two nominations for outstanding harmonica. He has been named an Ohio Heritage Fellow. His performance embodies an American art form that has all but disappeared from the African-American music landscape and is certain to captivate blues lovers of all ages.

Denise Russell: My LIfe Under the Lavender Lights
Thursday, March 7
3:30 p.m.
Main Hall Auditorium
Sponsored by the LGBT Faculty Committee & SPECTRUM

Denise "The Voice" Russell is an entertainer from Northern Ohio who is known for her live vocal comedy and impersonations. With more than 30 years of experience, she is the only female impersonator to have performed in Nashvilleâ€™s Grand Ole Opry. She was an emcee for the Cowboys LaCage, was on cast at the Parliament House in Orlando, and worked
in casinos in New Orleans, Atlantic City, San Diego, Lake Tahoe, Albuquerque and Biloxi. A former national title holder, Denise has earned numerous pageant accomplishments, including Miss Continental Plus 1992, Miss Gay USofA @ Large 1990 and Miss Pittsburgh Big Beautiful Woman 1989. In 2009, she released her CD, The Best of Denise Russell. She is currently an emcee at the Jewel Box Revue in Canyonville, Ore.

African-American Women Pioneers in Sports
Tuesday, March 12
1 p.m.
Main Hall Auditorium

The presentation by Kent State Stark Associate Professor of History Leslie Heaphy highlights African-American women who have made significant contributions and achievements in sports. This event is co-sponsored by the Stark Campus History Club.

Cheryl Bowman: Northeastern Ohio's Role in Space Exploration
Wednesday, March 13
4 p.m.
Main Hall Auditorium

Cheryl Bowman, Ph.D., a materials research engineer in the Structures and Materials Division at NASA Glenn Research Center, has worked at NASA since 1988, in various capacities. Dr. Bowman has performed research in development and structural characterization of metallics, intermetallics and polymer matrix composites for a variety of aerospace applications. Mechanical testing and material property characterization is her specialty. She has spent six years as a technical lead for space power materials development for various fission power missions. This project entails designing and testing hardware for space nuclear power plant systems. While working at NASA, Dr. Bowman has mentored many students, from high school through Ph.D. candidates. She is also active in the Cleveland Chapter of ASM International, a materials engineering professional society.

This event is sponsored by the Kent State Stark Womenâ€™s History Committee. Light refreshments will be provided.