EDUCATION & TRAINING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES
The Multicultural Center offers educational programs that are interactive and aim to create an inclusive campus climate where individuals and communities feel welcome, valued, affirmed and respected. These activities are delivered in the form of presentations, workshops, lectures/speakers and discussion-based programs designed to educate and engage students on various diversity and inclusion topics. Participants will become more culturally competent members of the Georgia State University community.
Working Definition: Social Justice
The concept of social justice — central to the efforts of Social Justice Initiatives — is a process as well as a goal. According to Adams, Bell and Griffin in Teach for Diversity and Social Justice, Social justice envisions a “society in which the distribution of resources is equitable, and all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure. We envision a society in which individuals are both self-determining and interdependent.”
The process of attaining the goal of social justice, we believe, should also be democratic and participatory, inclusive and affirming of human agency and capabilities for working collaboratively to create change.
The Multicultural Center strives to provide interactive educational experiences that heighten the university’s commitment to diversity, difference, multiculturalism and cultural competence. In partnership with several key offices and academic units, the center offers the following to meet this mission:
Conversations on Contemporary Issues:
These discussions will address contemporary issues affecting societal needs while drawing connections between multiculturalism and diversity and everyday events and experiences that range from the personal (i.e., campus events) to the national and the global. The formats for discussion forums will vary, from small lunch time gatherings to larger campus wide events.
Multicultural Competence and Peer Education (MAP) Ambassadors:
Ambassadors strive to cultivate new world and community leaders through program development and facilitation of workshops and trainings focused on cultural competence.
Safe Zone:
Safe Zone creates a network of allies who promote a campus environment that is open and welcoming to all LGBTQIQA students.
Workshops and Class Presentations:
The Multicultural Center offers workshops which create safe spaces for students to engage in meaningful experiences and dialogues. These workshops are designed for various audiences and can be tailored to fit any group whether it is for an inside or outside the classroom presentation.
The Multicultural Center offers several formats for classroom presentations, including an overview of the work of the Multicultural Center, an introduction to issues surrounding multiculturalism and diversity and more in-depth presentations related to multicultural and diversity topics. Additionally, the Multicultural Center would be happy to adapt any of the general workshops to the particular needs of faculty and courses.
Cultural Conversations
These discussions will address contemporary issues affecting societal needs while drawing connections between multiculturalism, diversity and everyday events and experiences that range from the personal (i.e., campus events) to the national global. The formats for discussion forums will vary from small lunch time gatherings to larger campus wide events.
Pop Talks
Pop in each Wednesday at noon for the Multicultural Center’s weekly discussions about pop culture, national/global news, trigger-warning topics and/or anything related to diversity and inclusion. This peer-facilitated dialogue series provides a safe space to engage in critical thinking, explore diverse identities, examine privilege and understand systematic oppression. Just bring your topics and a willingness to think critically about the world! Visit our Programming page to join Pop Talks each week!
Storytellers: A Social Justice Speaker Series
“Storytellers” is a cultural conversation series that has a focus of education and social justice awareness. This intimate conversation invites key social justice community leaders to discuss a range of topics including their work, ambitions and personal lives with a moderator. “Storytellers” allows for participants to engage with and learn the perspectives of social justice community leaders.
Talk Tuesday
“Talk Tuesday” is a virtual series of workshop conversations that provides a forum that amplifies the voices of marginalized and underrepresented communities around various topics centered of intersectionality and social justice.
The series plans to serve as a catalyst to:
- promote, celebrate, and increase cultural awareness at Georgia State
- encourage cross-cultural dialogue & engagement and
- advance global/intercultural fluency and cultural competency.
Each workshop topic is uniquely designed and expertly facilitated to create a safe environment for authentic conversation, varying viewpoints and cultural exchange. Selected guest speakers help to shift personal paradigms and facilitate learning and understanding through their scholarship, service and storytelling. The topics and speakers presented do not represent the views of the Multicultural Center or Georgia State, but are intended to reflect contemporary social concerns.
All are welcome to take part in these cultural conversations.
Multicultural Awareness & Peer Ambassadors
Multicultural Awareness Peer (MAP) Ambassadors are students who take an active role in educational, cultural, social, and leadership opportunities for students on campus as it pertains to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. The overall goal of the program is to promote multicultural awareness that assists with engaging cultures and bridge across difference. Ambassadors are responsible for facilitating and implementing cultural programs, educational workshops, and supporting new student orientation.
Responsibilities:
- Celebrate diverse cultures and help to build community on campus
- Facilitate programs and workshops around social justice issues
- Help to foster an inclusive campus by creating safe and brave spaces
Benefits:
- Gain marketable leadership skills needed to work on a diverse team for future internship and employment opportunities
- Increase your cultural understanding of self and others
- Monthly compensation
Requirements:
- MAP Ambassadors must facilitate at least two programs per semester.
- MAP Ambassadors should complete one program each semester in conjunction with another university department or a student organization.
- MAP Ambassadors are expected to help plan and facilitate at the annual Social Justice Retreat and/or Social Justice Summit.
- MAP Ambassadors should complete other duties necessary.
Compensation:
- MAP Ambassadors, who are NOT eligible for Federal Work Study, will be compensated $100 per month for a maximum of 3 office hours a week. Hours should not exceed a total of 12 hours per month.
- MAP Ambassador, who are qualified for Federal Work Study (FWS) may work up to 20 hours a week. Hours will be contingent on their award letter.
- MAP Ambassadors, who have successfully completed trainings and responsibilities, will be awarded a certificate of completion and letter of recommendation.
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- For more information on the MAP Ambassador program, please contact us at [email protected]
Workshops & Presentations
Multicultural Center General Workshops
About the Multicultural Center
Learn all about the Multicultural Center and what we have to offer the campus.
Allyship 101
This workshop will help participants explore what it means to be an ally both in word and in action.
Social Justice Jeopardy
This interactive workshop is a beginners workshop for social justice terminology.
Circles of My Multicultural Self
In this interactive workshop, participants will have the opportunity to better understand their multicultural selves and the multicultural identities of others. Stereotypes are discussed and dismantled through statements that heal and empower us.
Cross the Line
This interactive, activity-based workshop focuses on the personal experiences of participants and examines how our trials and tribulations shape the people we are today. Empathy, connectedness and healing are at the core of this introspective workshop experience.
Off the Wall – A Workshop on Microaggressions
Microaggressions have been defined as brief everyday exchanges, often unintentional and automatic, that send negative messages to individuals because of their group/identity membership (i.e. due to race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, etc.). Participants of this session will examine phrases like “That’s so gay,” “That’s ghetto,” “That’s retarded,” etc., to better understand their harm and identify ways to confront these microaggressions so that we create a more inclusive campus environment.
Power and Privilege
Participants in this interactive, activity-based workshop will be able to define “power” and “privilege,” can identify and examine some of their own privileges, learn from one another through shared personal experiences, and identify ways to use their privilege to dismantle oppression
If you would like to schedule a workshop, please fill out a workshop submission form by clicking on the link provided: Workshop & Class Presentations.
In the (State) Zone Trainings
- THEMES: Allyship, Advocacy, Systems of Oppression
- PARTNERS:
- POUNCE PILLAR: U- Understand Ethics & Integrity
- DESCRIPTION: Join the Multicultural Center for an interactive webinar on allyship. This webinar will go over the basics of allyship, its importance to building equitable societies, and how we are able to use our privilege to motivate and create change!
IN THE (STATE) ZONE: iCARE: BIAS AWARENESS & BYSTANDER INTERVENTION
- THEMES: Bias, Consent, Domestic Violence
- PARTNERS: ODOS (TBD)
- POUNCE PILLAR: U- Understand Ethics & Integrity
- DESCRIPTION: Want to learn how to be active in the face of difficult or harmful situations? Learning and becoming aware of bystander intervention can save lives and impact social change. Join the Multicultural Center and the office of the Dean of Students as we discuss how to avoid being a bystander in harmful situations ranging from basic intervention to sexual misconduct.
IN THE (STATE) ZONE: SAFE ZONE: LGBTQ+ AWARENESS & ALLY TRAINING
- THEMES: LGBTQ+
- PARTNERS:
- POUNCE PILLAR: U- Understand Ethics & Integrity
- DESCRIPTION: Join the Multicultural Center for an interactive workshop on allyship and advocacy for the LGBTQIQA community. In this workshop, you will learn the history, common vocabulary and lived experiences of LGTBQIQA communities and how you can best advocate creating a more equitable society!
IN THE (STATE) ZONE: SAFE ZONE II: TGNC AWARENESS & ALLY TRAINING
- THEMES: Trans and Gender Non-Conforming identities
- PARTNERS:
- POUNCE PILLAR: U- Understand Ethics & Integrity
- DESCRIPTION: Join the Multicultural Center for an interactive workshop on allyship and advocacy for the Trans and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) community. In this workshop, you will learn the history, common vocabulary and lived experiences of TGNC communities and how you can best advocate creating a more equitable society!
IN THE (STATE) ZONE: AACE ZONE: ABILITY AWARENESS & ALLY TRAINING
- THEMES: International Day of Disabled Persons (12/3)
- PARTNERS: AACE (TBD)
- POUNCE PILLAR: U- Understand Ethics & Integrity
- DESCRIPTION: The Access & Accommodations Center and the Multicultural Center invite you to an intimate webinar that teaches how to serve as an ally for the disability community. In this webinar you will learn about the various identities within the disability community, appropriate language, and how to best advocate for this community.
IN THE (STATE) ZONE: FAITH ZONE: INTERFAITH AWARENESS & ALLY TRAINING
- THEMES:
- PARTNERS: INTERFAITH YOUTH CORE (IFYC)
- POUNCE PILLAR: U- Understand Ethics & Integrity
- DESCRIPTION: The Multicultural Center invites you to an intimate webinar focused on providing you with the skills to understand and engage religious, spiritual, and secular identities on campus.
IN THE (STATE) ZONE: RACE ZONE: RACIAL JUSTICE AWARENESS & ALLY TRAINING
- THEMES: Racial justice, understanding cultural differences
- PARTNERS: BSA, AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES, CENTER FOR AFRICA & THE DIASPORA
- POUNCE PILLAR: U- Understand Ethics & Integrity
- DESCRIPTION: This training is designed to provide students, faculty, and staff with a core awareness of the structures of racism, its role in interpersonal relationships, and empower allies to elevate the voices of underrepresented communities. Open to students, faculty, and staff.
IN THE (STATE) ZONE: DREAM ZONE: UNDOCUMENTED STUDENT AWARENESS & ALLY TRAINING
- THEMES: lived experiences of DACA recipients, advocacy, allyship
- PARTNERS: LASSO, LASA,
- POUNCE PILLAR: U- Understand Ethics & Integrity
- DESCRIPTION: The Multicultural Center invites you to a powerful and insightful training in how to be a resource to undocumented students on campus. We will provide comprehensive training regarding immigration legislation, understanding DACA & administrative relief, resources for DACA students and narratives of undocumented students.
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
Social Justice Initiatives
Social Justice Initiatives
Social Justice Retreat
The Social Justice Retreat is an opportunity for student to immerse in experiences that focus on building cultural competence and community building. The retreat enhances student’s awareness of social justice issues and equips them with strategies and resources to effectively address and respond to them. By attending the retreat, attendees have an opportunity to build coalitions across cultural barriers, strengthen advocacy, and support the promotion of an equal, equitable campus culture and climate at Georgia State and beyond.
By participating in the Social Justice Leadership Retreat, students will:
Tunnel of Oppression
Tunnel of Oppression will be an interactive experience. Participants will walk through different spaces designed to display oppression of marginalized groups. The event will end with a debrief facilitated by the MAP Ambassadors and Multicultural Center Staff.
Summit on Culture
The Multicultural Center collaborates with the Counseling and Testing Center for the annual Summit on Culture (formerly known as the Cultural Competency Summit). In this collaboration, the Multicultural Center will provide students the opportunity to engage in an event that centers diversity, inclusion and social justice concerns. Our goal is to prepare them for global citizenship by fostering cultural humility and providing inclusive leadership development. The Counseling and Testing Center will continue to focus primarily on professional development, specifically addressing multicultural competence in the health and clinical communities. Together, we aim to advance the mission of the university and uphold our commitment to a culture of care.
Solidarity & Social Justice Weeks (Solidarity September/ Social Justice January/ Social Justice Summer)
The Multicultural Center creates opportunities for students, faculty and staff to deepen their understanding of the experiences of others and raise awareness of the individual and collective injustices that confront many in our society. Working from an intersectional and intercultural framework, the entire campus community will be challenged to explore, take action and educate (yourself and others) through a series of events and training focused on shifting conversations of oppression toward a framework that emphasizes solidarity and social justice.