by Fatima Rodriguez Johnson | May 20, 2024 | Staff
The 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Canisius University will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2024. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to share in a day of solidarity in honor of our African American community. This year’s event begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Science Hall Commons with a welcome by President Stoute and concludes with lunch. All are welcome and encouraged to participate, and we ask that you RSVP by Friday, June 7th.
In collaboration with Juneteenth Inc. of Buffalo, Canisius will host a Sankofa Day for the city-wide recognition. Sankofa means to “go back and get,” it recognizes the past while focusing on the future. The celebration includes workshops and service projects.
Juneteenth commemorates the anniversary of the date when news of emancipation finally reached most enslaved African Americans in Texas, and Canisius is proud to honor this day. It was on June 19, 1865, when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger along with more than 1,800 federal troops, arrived in Galveston, TX, to take control of the state from the Confederate rebellion, nearly two months after the war’s last major battle. Gen. Granger issued an order confirming the freedom promised in President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and denied them by the Confederate government.
Canisius’ Juneteenth celebration hopes to inspire conversation, action, and hope in our ongoing work toward anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion.
Members of the university are also invited to attend activities held throughout the month. For more details on events and opportunities to volunteer for the city of Buffalo Juneteenth Celebration, please visit Juneteenth Buffalo.
Educational Resources are available below:
Juneteenth with Annette Gordon-Reed
The National Museum of African American History & Culture
Juneteenth Reading List
Submitted by: Fatima Rodriguez Johnson, Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion, Academic Affairs
by Fatima Rodriguez Johnson | May 13, 2024 | Staff
Dear Campus Community,
On May 14, 2022, a tragic mass shooting occurred in Buffalo, NY, specifically targeting African Americans. This act of hate claimed the lives of 10 individuals and physically injured 3 others. This year, instead of organizing a prayer service of remembrance, we would like to share opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to participate in programs and services being offered in the community:
- Memorial Tree Planting & Clean Up, Tuesday, May 14, 4:15 p.m., Agape AME Church, 224 Northland Avenue
- A Time to Reflect and (w)Rite, Tuesday, May 14, 12:00 p.m., Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue
- Mental Health Advocates of WNY, Tuesday, May 14, 12:00 p.m., Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue
- BestSelf Recovery Community & Outreach Center, Tuesday, May 14, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue
- Community Rock Garden Painting: Words of Hope, Healing, and Love, Tuesday, May 14, 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue
- 5/14 In Our Own Words, Tuesday, May 14, 5:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue
Considering the numerous tragic events impacting communities both locally and nationally, we hope these experiences will offer hope and healing.
Submitted by: Fatima Rodriguez Johnson, Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion, Academic Affairs
by Fatima Rodriguez Johnson | Feb 23, 2024 | Staff
Canisius University is excited to continue its 55-year history of serving New York State residents through the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program.
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) will provide $1,000,358 annually to support 95 students each year, totaling $5,001,794 for the 2024‐2029 cycle.
Canisius was one of the first private institutions to receive funding from the New York State Education Department to create the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), which supports individuals who face academic and financial challenges. Like HEOP, Canisius believes in the potential for all students to be successful. The NYS HEOP program has become a national model for access; significantly increasing the number of Black and Latinx students attending higher education. There are over 40,000 graduates of HEOP across the country.
Special thank you to Academic Affairs, Canisius Opportunity Programs for Education, Enrollment Management and the Office of Sponsored Programs for assistance during the submission process.
Submitted by: Fatima Rodriguez Johnson, Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion
by Fatima Rodriguez Johnson | Dec 20, 2023 | Staff
On Wednesday, December 13, Canisius was recognized for its continued partnership with Juneteenth Festival Inc.
Beginning in 2021, the university joined communities across the nation in commemorating this holiday. For the past three years, the campus has come together for a day of education, solidarity and service. The goal is to inspire conversation and action in our ongoing work toward anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Fatima Rodriguez Johnson and Bennie Williams (pictured above), co-chairs of the Juneteenth Recognition event, were on hand to accept the certificate of appreciation.
Submitted by: Fatima Rodriguez Johnson, Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion
by Fatima Rodriguez Johnson | Nov 8, 2023 | Faculty
The Office of Diversity & Inclusion and the Multicultural Student Center would like to invite international faculty and staff to participate in the Global Griff Mentor Program.
The purpose of the Global Griff Mentor Program is to connect new and returning international students with international faculty and staff. Mentors will meet with mentees at least twice a semester and serve as a resource for a graduate or an undergraduate student adjusting to Canisius University and the United States.
If you are interested in serving as a mentor for an international student (undergraduate or graduate) for the 2023-24 academic year, please consider signing up as a Global Griff Mentor. If you have questions, please contact Fatima Rodriguez Johnson, rodrig23@canisius.edu or Bennie Williams, willi100@canisius.edu.
We would like to thank both Peace Action and Women & Gender Studies Clubs for hosting the International Student Panel during the Spring 2023. Your voices have guided this effort!
Submitted by: Fatima Rodriguez Johnson, Associate Dean, Office of Diversity & Inclusion
