A student organization fair, a literacy drive, a town hall with law enforcement and a candlelight vigil are among the activities on tap for West Texas A&M University’s annual Diversity Week.

The week, which will run Sept. 21 to 25, offers the full WT community the chance to interact through empowering messages, said Angela Allen, WT’s chief diversity and inclusion officer.

“In these challenging times, it’s helpful and hopeful for the broad spectrum of WT’s diverse community to come together to learn from each other,” Allen said. “Part of the University’s mission is to advance diversity, equity and inclusivity by providing the campus opportunities just like this.”

Planned activities include:

Town Hall with law enforcement to discuss social and racial issues with representatives from local agencies at 6 p.m. Sept. 21 in Jack B. Kelley Student Center Legacy Hall and via Zoom;
Night of Healing for Social Injustice candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. Sept. 21 on the Charles K. and Barbara Kerr Vaughan Pedestrian Mall;
“We Are One” Diversity Talk featuring Xcel Energy employees discussing women in STEM at 12:15 p.m. Sept. 22 via Zoom;
Student Diversity Organization Fair featuring children’s book drive from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Pedestrian Mall;
“Making an Impact through Literacy” discussion featuring Leaders Readers Network and Solidarity Isn’t Silent at 6 p.m. Sept. 23 via Zoom;
And “Finding Your Voice in a Diverse World” discussion led by Gary Conner of CRUX at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in WT Senate Chamber Room in the JBK Student Center or via Zoom

Social distancing protocols will be followed, and face coverings are required inside all WT buildings and in outdoor spaces where 6 feet of physical distancing is difficult to reliably maintain.

Conner developed CRUX (Cultural Racial Understanding and Exchange) in 1990 and has presented workshops and training on issues of race, communication across cultural lines, and culture at universities, businesses, community action groups and, lately, churches. Injecting humor into his research, education and life experience, he challenges audiences to think deeply then share with their thoughts and feelings in a direct but non-threatening manner in an effort to provide a realistic, positive, productive learning paradigm.

The children’s book drive will benefit students at Hamlet Elementary School and North Heights Elementary School in Amarillo, and is the brainchild of DeAnn Murry, vice president of Diversity Ambassadors and president of Black Student Union.

“I’m dyslexic, so being able to help other students get books and build their reading skills and imagination is very important,” Murry said. “Reading builds character, it builds self-esteem, it gives them something to dream about.”

WT’s mission to be reflective and responsive to the diverse needs of its community is part of the University’s long-term plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

-West Texas A&M University