The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will once again host the Midwest Culturally Inclusive Conference Feb. 27-28, 2020 in Velzy Commons, Ullsvik Hall. The conference offers an opportunity for college students, faculty and staff, community members, K-12 teachers, and others – from throughout the Midwest – to strengthen their capacity to understand, support and elevate their identities and the identities of others. The conference was held consecutively from 2011-2014, drawing, at times, nearly 1,000 attendees from across the Midwest.
“The Department of Campus Climate is excited to re-introduce this conference to the Southwest Wisconsin region,” said Emily Stier, UW-Platteville Campus Climate coordinator. “We hope to bring inspiring keynotes, educational breakout sessions and invaluable community-building opportunities throughout.”
The theme of this year’s conference is “Upholding Humanity and Dignity of All,” and keynote speakers include:
- Lakota Harden, a highly respected organizer, community leader and elder who has been part of Native American struggles for the past four decades.
- Tou Ger Xiong, a Hmong artist and activist who created Project Respectism, an educational service project that uses comedy, storytelling, and hip hop to bridge cultures and generations.
- Dashka Slater, the author of “The 57 Bus,” which is this year’s selection for UW-Platteville’s Campus Climate Book Club.
- Dr. Yusef Salaam was one of five teenagers, collectively known as the “Central Park Five,” who were wrongly charged with murder in 1989. In 2002, his sentence was overturned. He now shares his story with others and speaks out against injustice.
- Sonya Renee Taylor, the founder and radical executive officer of The Body is Not an Apology, an international movement and organization committed to radical self-love and body empowerment as the foundational tool for social justice and global transformation.
- Yosimar Reyes, a nationally-acclaimed poet and public speaker. Born in Guerrero, Mexico, and raised in Eastside San Jose, Reyes explores the themes of migration and sexuality in his work.
- LeDerick Horne, the grandson of one of New Jersey’s most prominent civil rights leaders and uses his gift for spoken-word poetry as the gateway to larger discussions on equal opportunity, pride, self-determination and hope for people with disabilities.
In addition to the keynote speakers, breakout sessions will allow participants to further explore more topics in diversity, equity and inclusion. The conference committee is accepting proposal submissions for the breakout sessions until Dec. 2.
For more information on the conference, registration, and proposal submission, visit Midwest Culturally Inclusive Conference.