Cinco De Mayo Fiesta. For more infor- mation about the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services Check Out U.C. Eps on Facebook!

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1 S P R I N G S P R I N G M A Y 8, Cinco De Mayo Fiesta For more infor- On Friday, May 4, 2012, the Office of Ethnic Programs & Services, Latinos En Accion (LEA) and the Resident Hall Association (RHA) collaborated for the Cinco de over French forces at the Battle of Puebla and subsequently slowed the French army from approaching Mexico City on May 5, The Battle of Puebla was one of the together a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff to celebrate this national holiday by having fun in the boxing ring, gladiator jousting, and eating free Chipotle burritos. Check mation about the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services Check Out U.C. Eps on Facebook! Mayo Fiesta. The Cinco de Mayo Fiesta is an annual cultural event dedicated to educating the University of Cincinnati student population on the true historical significance of Cinco de Mayo. The true purpose of Cinco de Mayo is to celebrate the Mexican army's unlikely victory major battles leading to the end of French occupation and intervention in Mexico. This is contrary to the popular misconception that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration for the Independence Day of Mexico, which occurred on September 16, The Cinco de Mayo Fiesta brought out more pictures on the U.C.Eps Facebook page! To receive more information about Latinos en Accion, contact Yakaira Ramos at ramosyj@uc.edu. To see more about this click here: index.php/gallery/ cinco_de_mayo_festiviti es_5512

2 Cinco De Mayo

3 P A G E 3 Sigma Sigma Commons was bursting with life on Saturday, April 28, 2012, when over 400 students came out to celebrate the traditional Indian holiday, Holi. Holi is translated as the Festival of Colors to commemorate the arrival of the Spring season, during which the land comes alive again. During this celebration, colored powder called Gulal, made from plants and flowers, is thrown at everyone to color the face, hands, and body. Holi Festival Despite the looming rain clouds, people of all backgrounds came out to enjoy the delicious Indian food, classical Indian and Bollywood dance performances, color throwing, traditional Indian games, and the dance party at the end. The event was organized by Xiao Yan Huang, Saloni Hemani, and Shivam Kedia as part of the Worldfest week celebrating international cultures. The event was a collaboration between the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services, Asian American Association and Hindu Yuva and was emceed by Sunny Patel. The event began with food from local restaurant, New Krishna. Afterwards, there were three sets of dance performances. Ronak Makadia, and Puja Kedia performed first, followed by a Bollywood dance performed by Sofia Newaz, Toral Vaidya, and Samar Sheriff. The last classical dance was done by Mahima Venkatesh, Aanchal Srivastava, and Ahana Sen. After the vibrant performances, the 2012 Holi Festival continued on with gulal/color powder throwing. The crowd was separated into two teams and after a countdown, attacked each other creating a colorful cloud of powder. This year, there were nearly 500 bags of powder used. By the end of the festivities, everyone was completely covered in the colors of the rainbow. Following this, several traditional Indian games, such as Kho, were played, followed by a dance party. The general consensus about this year s Holi festival was that it was much bigger and better than the first year and everyone hoped the tradition will be continued here at UC. Students all felt that the event symbolized true diversity and sent the message that skin color does not change the fact we are all human and equal. With this said, we expect next year s Holi festival to be more colorful. By: Priya Srivastava

4 Holi Festival ETHNIC PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

5 P A G E 5 4 th Annual Diversity Conference: A Step Closer to Inclusivity 2012 Diversity Conference Keynote Dr. Helen Neville Preceding the events of Worldfest 2012, the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services held its 4 th annual Diversity Conference. Many students, professors and professionals alike gathered together to take part in this initiative to increase diversity and promote social awareness both within the college setting and society at large. The conference served as a much needed catalyst and reminder that diversity and inclusivity (whether it may be ethnic, cultural or gendered) are still issues that have been undermined and often times ignored. Relative to the issues of current events, speakers gave compelling presentations that probed attendees to develop strategies to incorporate diversity into their daily lives. When asked what diversity meant to the attendees, the prominent response was that it meant being more open-minded to another group that is antithetical to their own. With this being the overwhelming definition, one might wonder why this is harder to actually conceptualize than it is to theorize. The fact lies within the innate human nature to revert to what one has always been accustomed to and reject any notion opposing perceived standard of normality, a recurring point driven home throughout the conference. Students and staff were then asked to provide ways in which one could foster diversity, and the responses were varied ranging from creating avenues for open, and often time uncomfortable dialogue, to actively engaging in the culture of another. The objectives and goals of the conference were well articulated and fulfilled its duty in encouraging its attendees to become diversity leaders and create an environment that fosters a more just community. The success of this year s conference can be attributed to Co-Chairs, Dr. Brandi Elliot, Ms. Lisa Newman and all committee members. By: Ronique Morsby

6 P A G E 6 To participate in future events or have ideas for new International Fashion Show Models strutted their stuff on the runway to celebrate cultural diversity during Worldfest week at the University of Cincinnati Wednesday. Ethnics Programs and Services hosted an International Fashion Show in the Tangeman University Center Great Hall. The fashion show was part of Worldfest Week a week of events celebrating various cultures and ethnicities throughout the world. Students modeled clothes from countries around the world, including Lebanon, Somalia and India. Third-year biomedical engineering student Andrew Kordahi participated in the fashion show as a model. He walked the runway while wearing a traditional Palestinian robe. I just love seeing all the diversity on the stage, Kordahi said. Modeling wasn t the only thing happening at this fashion show. The show began with a performance by D.Y.D. (Do Your Dance), a hip-hop/rap group based out of Cincinnati. They performed two songs before the modeling took place, and closed the show with another performance. In addition to a musical performance, the audience was also entertained by a Bollywood dance. Two performers acted out a storyline while dancing to songs like Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO. Overall, it was a great show, said Logan Brooks, a second -year biomedical engineering student. I got to see a lot of different styles from different countries and cultures which was very interesting. Other countries represented in the show included Nigeria, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Pakistan, Mexico, China, Vietnam, China, the Philippines and Peru. gallery/ international_fashion_show_ By: Tia Garcia diversity events, us at

7 P A G E 7 Breakfast of Champions On the morning of April 26, 2012, we celebrated faculty members that have made an impact on our academic success here at the University of Cincinnati. The Breakfast of Champions is an annual event held by the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services and the Darwin T. Turner Scholarship program in which all 116 Turner Scholars nominate a faculty member who has been instrumental in their success at the university. At the event, students and faculty members join to have breakfast and recognize those who have been very gracious and helpful throughout the year. Breakfast of Champions allows students and faculty members to engage in conversation over breakfast. This gives students the opportunity to get to know faculty members outside of the classroom. At this event I was able to meet other faculty members at my table and get to know a couple of the upperclassmen Turner Scholars I had not gotten a chance to meet before. Breakfast of Champions was a great start to my day. I was able to have a great meal, talk amongst friends as well as professors all before class began. My experience at Breakfast of Champions was very enjoyable and I look forward to it next year! By: Akilah Patterson

8 P A G E 8 You See Potential Conference Come visit Ethnic Programs and Services in Steger Student Life Center Room 555! University of Cincinnati students Adele Edmonds, Brandon Reynolds, James Avant IV and Dominick Haralson, along with Co- Founders Stanley Wells (Miami, Florida) and La- Vandez Jones (Guangzhou, China), hosted the 8 th annual Richard Grote You See Potential Leadership Conference. Over the past eight years, this private social impact organization has provided professional and college exposure to over 200 inner city high school students. This year, twenty-seven high school students attended the two-day conference from April 20 to April 21, Students were actively engaged through a wide array of seminars and workshops hosted by prominent local and national corporate leaders. Some of the prominent speakers brought to the conference include CEO of General Cable, Greg Kenny, Detroit Lion s Defensive Tackle, Andre Fluellen, and UC s own Dr. Mitchel Livingston. With the goal of this year s conference bring centered on the students developing an understanding of the importance of Personal Branding & Goal Setting, students crafted a long-term list of their personal goals. Upon the creation of their own personal plans, the students were then placed into groups with the task of creating a product, service or organization that would not only benefit themselves, but their communities as well. Through the YSP conference, student s lives have been transformed, as many of them have been able to secure internships and fullride scholarships to college as a result of attending the two-day program By: Brandon Reynolds

9 The University of Cincinnati celebrated the 2012 Worldfest with a dynamic lineup of events during the month of April to give tribute to UC's many cultures with performances, fashion show, read-ins and, of course, plenty of free food. Worldfest kicked off officially during an opening ceremony at 4 p.m. Monday, April 23, in the Great Hall of Tangeman University Center. A new UC Worldfest event, the opening ceremony will feature flags representing more Parade of Flags than 100 countries, music, entertainment, free desserts and free appetizers catered by Island Frydays, New Krishna, Emanu East African Restaurant, Song Long, and Areti s Gyros. "This year we felt it was important for Worldfest to have an opening ceremony celebration in order to welcome faculty, staff and students to join in the weeklong excitement of programming," said Nicole Ausmer, assistant director of Student Activities and Leadership Development and event organizer. For more information about Worldfest, contact Dr. Nicole Ausmer at smithno@uc.edu. Tacos on Tuesdays In the spirit of Worldfest and our love of diversity, the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services and Latinos En Accion, an organization that aims to unify Latino students at the University of Cincinnati, hosted the traditional Tacos on Tuesday to educate the student body about Latino culture while providing a fun and festive atmosphere for staff, students and faculty. Bringing the liveliness of Latin music through the halls of Steger Student Life Center, over 300 students joined in celebrating Latin heritage through the traditional food catered by local restaurant, Fiesta Brava. Students had a choice of marinated chicken, grilled beef, slow cooked pork, seasoned rice, salsa, freshly made tortillas, chips, and more. The crowning glory of the event however was the sopapillas made by the restaurant. Sopapillas are fried pastries served in Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Uruguay. They are traditionally made with wheat dough, deep fried, and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. LEA, currently advised by Yakaira Ramos, program coordinator for the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services, led the group into a very successful outreach opportunity. By: Ronique Morsby

10 Midwest Dhamaka For more pictures click here: om/media/set/? set=a &type=3 Desi Beats. Indian Spices. Colorful Costumes. A celebration of Indian culture and customs in effort to help those who are not as fortunate as us. Midwest Dhamaka, a Bollywood fusion dance competition sponsored by the Asian American Association, took place on March 31 st, The festival not only inspired the community with its use of traditional Indian customs through dance, but it also allowed us to learn and be inspired by contemporary Indian dance and style. With over 700 people in attendance, Midwest Dhamaka allowed the community in the Tri-State area to meet and give back to the community. Midwest Dhamaka donated all proceeds toward mpowering, a nonprofit organization that is pioneering the use of mobile technology to empower the world s poor those living on less than $2 a day their goal is essentially to attempt to break the multigenerational cycle of poverty. Midwest Dhamaka was not any ordinary Bollywood Fusion Competition. There was a unique twist in the competition and eight teams competed for the grand cash prize, however, they had to conquer two difficult rounds of competition to succeed. During the first round, all eight teams performed their own individual routines. Then, the judges picked the top three teams and one wildcard spot was chosen by the audience (University of Michigan). After the top four teams were selected (Boston University, University of Michigan, The Ohio State University, and Northwestern) they each moved on to the second and final round of the competition. During this round, the teams performed a different routine to an all new mix. The music of this routine was preselected by the Midwest Dhamaka Coordinating Committee and the teams had the opportunity to create their own mix to the required songs. After this, the judges crowned the Ohio State University, the champion of Midwest Dhamaka. In essence, this competition was very entertaining and it allowed us to unite as a community, since this competition brought all cultures together. Serving as a member of the Midwest Dhamaka staff, I was really able to see the time and effort the executive board of the Asian America Association put into hosting the inaugural Midwest Dhamaka I was truly proud to be a part of such a tremendous effort and very excited to be a part of the Sold Out event. Not only did Midwest Dhamaka impact the lives of everyone participating, planning, and attending the event, but it also touched the lives of those struggling with poverty. I am truly looking forward to next year s show and I cannot wait to see the impact it will make! By: Priya Chawla