To encourage learning, we aim to create a climate of respect for the free exchange of knowledge and ideas dedicated to problem-solving in a diverse, rapidly changing, and increasingly technological global society. Additionally, we view UAB as more than a space to learn by simply accepting dictated knowledge; we understand our institution to serve as a laboratory to engage and reflect through your own experiences, interactions, and observations. Through our office, we will connect reflective, caring, and highly skilled practitioners and scholars to all those who engage us in hopes of challenging traditional ways of thinking and educational boundaries on a variety of topics and issues from history and pop culture to current events and politics. Afterwards, we encourage you to take the knowledge you have gained to enlighten others and ultimately change the world. We will provide learning opportunities through small to large group discussion series, service initiatives, trainings, workshops, and more.
Critical Conversation: Community Wide Civic Dialogue
Critical Conversations is a campus-wide civic forum series that provides a platform for civil discourse. The goal is to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community by using education and civil discourse as tools to encourage and empower UAB and its surrounding communities to engage, collaborate, and create solutions to social issues affecting our communities.
#TalkMatters: New Initiative to Focus on Critical Dialogues
#TalkMatters is an initiative to bring the UAB community together to address issues of inclusion, diversity, equality, and awareness through an education lens. #TalkMatters aims to facilitate open, and honest discussion about social justice and fairness and introduce knowledge and skills that strengthen the capacity of our campus community to drive structural inclusion for all groups.
Each month, ODEI will facilitate discussions around challenging topics like bias, microaggressions, predispositions and blind spots. Our hope is that participants gain a deeper understanding of differences and a greater respect for diversity as a strength and value added as we strive to build a more inclusive and welcoming community.
Cultural Lens Film and Speaker Series
Cultural Lens: Film & Speaker Series introduces films, scholars, authors, artists, and activists to campus to address various topics and how those topics are being defined and portrayed through the media. Using these illustrations, we aim to explore and drive discussion on the film’s accuracy, while addressing legitimized myths and barriers along the road to finding common ground.
Each semester, ODEI will host these screening events and facilitate conversations following the selected film. Panelists will discuss reflections and encourage a larger conversation through audience participation. Co-Sponsors are UAB Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs and Student Involvement.
Hip Hop Hour
Hip Hop Hour is an initiative designed to use Hip Hop culture and music to connect students to social justice issues, build self-efficacy, and support identity formation by creating culturally responsive curriculum that reflects the interests and popular culture of the students we serve.
Community Month
Throughout January, activities are planned to engage students, faculty, staff and the wider community in diversity programs that include lectures, cultural programs, film screening and games organized by various academic and support units across the campus. Many of these events allow departments and organizations to showcase their diversity efforts through presentations, lectures, and performances. Others will allow participants to take part in critical dialogues.
Multicultural Scholars Program
The Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP), formerly the Minority Scholars Program, is an academic enrichment and scholarship program designed to support the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students at UAB. The program has supported scholars for over 20 years and continues to thrive in assisting them to reach their educational and professional goals through knowledge investment and social development. The motto that best embodies this initiative and its focus is “each one, reach one.” As a cohort, all MSP scholars are encouraged to live by the motto of “Each one, reach one” by paying it forward in support and service throughout their communities.