CULTURAL AWARENESS & COMMUNITY BUILDING
Cultural Awareness
CCI recognizes the significance of holding space to affirm the complexities of identities and celebrate the richness of cultural heritages, as well as the importance of examining and naming the ways that underrepresented communities have been marginalized in society, both historically and presently. We do not relegate any cultural heritage to only a single month. Rather, we acknowledge and appreciate cultural heritages every day with programs and services that support equity and inclusion. This deliberate practice facilitates the university's strategic vision as a place for all. Heritage months are essential to Georgia State’s effort to build a community of care where the campus community feels a sense of value, belonging and opportunity to thrive.
Panther Welcome Events
Open House
The Student Center Open House invites the Georgia State community to come meet our student organizations, departments within the Division of Student Success and more!
Welcome Receptions
Welcome Receptions/ Mixers are bi-annual affinity-affirming events that invites members of diverse communities. Our signature events include, but are not limited to:
- The American-International Student Mixer
- CCI (Cultures, Communities & Inclusion) Fest
- LGBTQ+ Welcome Reception
- Womxn of Color Welcome Reception
Join us for free coffee, cocoa or tea, coupled with conversation about cultures, communities, and inclusion. Connect with others around identity, intersectionality and intercultural engagement. Bring a friend for a chance to win giveaways and prizes!
Heritage & History Month Celebrations
What Are Heritage Months?
- Heritage and History Months celebrate the customs, values, and traditions of different cultures, examining the issues and struggles of different communities as well as affirming their contributions to society. Heritage/History months are important in providing intentional space for teaching, learning and reflection. Each month, we celebrate the identities and histories of members of Georgia State’s global communities through vibrant performances, lectures and activities that celebrate our rich cultural diversity and help us understand our shared history.
How to get involved?
- ATTEND: Attend heritage month Kickoff events and programs. Events are listed in PIN.
- ENGAGE: Get involved with registered student organizations. RSO’s are listed in PIN.
- LEARN: Access resources and recommended readings from the Multicultural Center library
- HIGHLIGHT: We are looking to celebrate the rich diversity across Georgia State by acknowledging student leadership, scholarship, and involvement. Nominate yourself, a peer, or a student organization.
- FOR THE CULTURE: What does this heritage month mean to you? Submit your art, affirmations, photos, reflections, and/or tell us about cultural events that are occurring in the community to [email protected]. Submissions may be selected to be featured in our newsletter and on social media platforms.
- LEAD: All students, faculty and staff are invited to volunteer on a heritage month planning committee(s) and participate in monthly activities. Monthly activities can be found in PIN.
Planning Committees
- Each Heritage Month is planned by a committee comprised of students, faculty and staff volunteers. Students are an integral part of our heritage/history month planning committees, which meet to organize events for the equity, education, empowerment, and engagement of the campus community.
- Interested in serving on a Heritage/History Month Committee? Students, organizations, faculty and staff are welcome to volunteer on any of our upcoming heritage month planning meetings either in person or virtually.
- Events can be submitted through PIN or through a contribution form at the Belonging@GSU website.
Oversight & Support
- The Cultures, Communities, and Inclusion (CCI) team assists with the leadership oversight, coordination, budgeting, marketing and hosting of heritage month celebrations.
The Multicultural Center is committed to celebrating and recognizing the history, culture, experiences and contributions of diverse cultures and identities. As part of this celebration of diversity, we host a variety of programs and initiatives that educates the general public, fosters community- building and enriches the overall campus experience for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the larger Atlanta community. Our signature events include Latinx Heritage Month, LGBTQ History Month, American Indian Heritage Month, Black Heritage Month, Womxn’s HERstory Month and the Asian-Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month.
Latinx Heritage Month: September 15 - October 15
LGBTQ+ History Month: October 1-31
Native American Heritage Month: November 1- 30
Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration: (Last two weeks in January)
Black History Month: February 1 – 28
Womxn's HERstory Month: March 1 – 31
Asian-Pacific Islander-Desi/American Heritage Month: May 1 – 30
Cultural Observances
Cultures, Communities & Inclusion recognizes the significance of holding space to affirm the complexities of identities and celebrate the richness of cultural heritages, as well as the importance of examining and naming the ways that underrepresented communities have been marginalized in society, both historically and presently. We do not relegate any cultural heritage to only a single month. Rather, the university acknowledges and appreciates cultural heritages every day with programs and services that support equity and inclusion. This deliberate practice facilitates the university's intentional commitment to infusing equity-mindedness, cultural responsiveness, and inclusive excellence throughout the campus fabric. Heritage months are essential to Georgia State’s effort to build a community of care where the campus community feels a sense of value, belonging and opportunity to thrive.
Religious Observances
The guide includes significant religious observances of the major faiths represented around the globe.
*Note that Bahá’í, Jewish and Islamic holidays begin at sundown the previous day and end at sundown on the date listed.
Calendar System
The dates of secular holidays are based on the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly used for civil dating purposes. Many religions and cultures follow various traditional calendar systems that are often based on the phases of the moon with occasional adjustments for the solar cycle. Therefore, specific Gregorian calendar dates for these observances will differ from year to year. In addition, calculation of specific dates may vary by geographical location and according to different sects within a religion.
Agnosticism
Atheism
Baha'i
Buddhism
Christianity
Humanism
Hinduism
Islam
Jainism
Judaism
Rastafarianism
Shintoism
Sikhism
Zoroastrianism
Wicca/Paganism
Cultural Observances
It is important to acknowledge the diverse religious and cultural observances that occur throughout the year. This diversity of religious and cultural beliefs, like other forms of diversity, enriches our university community and the work and learning that occurs here. Our CCI Calendar is here to help you celebrate a wide variety of inclusive events and observances as they occur.
Contact Us
Multicultural Center Office
Location: Student Center East, Suite 206
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-1584
Gender and Sexuality Resource Center
Student Center East, Suite 207
Phone: 404-413-1745
Multicultural Center Staff
Associate Director- Cultures, Communities & Inclusion (CCI)
LaTia Sinclair, M.S.
Program Specialist
Tonya Cook, MS-HRD, CLC
Coordinator of Student Engagement, Global Communities
Chrissonia McCall, M.S.
Coordinator of Student Engagement, Gender & Sexuality Education
Kai Taylor-Deak
Business Manager
Jasmine Ferrell
Graduate Administrative Assistant
Rejess Marshall
Graduate Administrative Assistant
Jayla Day
Mailing Address
Multicultural Center
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3973
Atlanta, GA 30302-3973
Overnight Shipping Address
Multicultural Center
Georgia State University
Student Center East, Suite 206
55 Gilmer Street
Atlanta, GA 30303