by Bennie Williams | Apr 14, 2023 | Faculty
The ALANA Student Center would like to invite the entire campus community to celebrate the ALANA graduating class of 2023 on Thursday, May 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center.
The ALANA Graduation honors and recognizes the accomplishments of both undergraduate and graduate students of color. Students will receive a special stole that they can wear on commencement day.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Bennie D. Williams, assistant dean of students, at willi100@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: Bennie D. Williams, Assistant Dean of Students
by Bennie Williams | Mar 8, 2023 | Faculty
On Monday, February 27, 2023, students from Dr. Secil Ertorer’s SOC 341 Race and Ethnicity class visited the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. Participants were given a tour and were told authentic stories of Underground Railroad freedom seekers and abolitionists in Niagara Falls that inspire visitors to recognize modern injustices that stem from slavery and take action toward an equitable society. The class was joined by Bennie D. Williams, assistant dean of students.
To learn more about the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, please visit here: https://www.niagarafallsundergroundrailroad.org/about/.
Submitted by: Bennie D. Williams, Assistant Dean of Students, ALANA Student Center
by Bennie Williams | Feb 3, 2023 | Faculty
Canisius College will hold its annual MLK Celebration on Wednesday, February 8 at 3:30 p.m. in the Regis Room of the Richard E. Winter Student Center. The keynote speaker is Dr. Tara Jabbaar-Gyambrah, CEO of TMJ Consulting.
Dr. Jabbaar-Gyambrah will discuss Passing the Baton: Lessons from MLK on Resilience for the NEXT Generation.
The late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. started a revolution that has forever changed us. It wasn’t just a movement to unite people across the country regardless of race, creed, color, gender, sexuality or religion but to change hearts and mindsets so that systems of inequality could be eradicated. He remained resilient in the face of opposition and forged ahead with hope for the community.
This keynote asks the simple question: what lessons can we learn from MLK that can be passed onto the NEXT generation of leaders?
The event is sponsored by the ALANA Student Center and the Office of Diversity & Inclusion. Please direct any questions or concerns to Bennie Williams at willi100@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: Bennie D. Williams, Assistant Dean of Students, ALANA Student Center
by Bennie Williams | Feb 1, 2023 | Faculty
Writer, director, Buffalo native and Canisius alumus Tarabu Betserai Kirkland will present his award winning documentary film “100 Years From Mississippi“ in a special showing today, February 1 at 6:00 p.m. in the Regis Room of the Richard E. Winter Student Center.
The documentary shares the story of Tarabu’s mother, Mamie Lang Kirkland, who fled Ellisville, Mississippi in 1915 to escape an approaching lynch mob, moved to Buffalo and lived to be the city’s oldest citizen at 111. Mamie vowed she would never return to Mississippi, however 100 years after she fled, she was convinced to return to Ellisville to confront her childhood trauma and begin to heal.
“100 Years From Mississippi” is directed and produced by Tarabu Betsarai Kirkland and producer Gina Rugolo Judd. Executive producer and well-known TV and film actor Barry Shabaka Henley adds powerful poetic voice over narration along with masterful editing by Cassandra Chowdhury and an emotionally powerful score by Derek Nakamoto with songs by the incomparable Keb’Mo’.
This event is sponsored by the ALANA Student Center, the Afro American Society and the Diversity Committee of the Undergraduate Student Association. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Bennie Williams at willi100@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: Bennie D. Williams, Assistant Dean of Students, ALANA Student Center
by Bennie Williams | Jan 25, 2023 | Faculty
The ALANA Student Center invites the campus community to visit its space on Thursday, January 26 from 2:00 -5:00 p.m. The ALANA Student Center is located in the lower level of the Student Center, Room 003.
During the meet and greet, the community can enjoy food, games and learn more about what the center has planned for the semester. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact asc@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: Bennie D. Williams, assistant dean of students, ALANA Student Center
