EDIDA Awareness Month 2024
Equity Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Accessibility Awareness Month 2024 Schedule - King's and Fanshawe Events
EDIDA Awareness Month is a collaboration between Western, King’s, Huron, Fanshawe, Schulich, and London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). The goal is to model unity in this work and bring a week of powerful learning and awareness to our campus communities and the City of London at large concerning decolonization, Indigeneity, equity, diversity, and inclusion. The theme this year is Working On Knowledge, Empowerment, and Education.
Tuesday, October 1
Bangishimo Art Exhibit – The Medicines We Carry
Cardinal Carter Library, King’s University College
The exhibit will be available from October 1 – October 4
The Medicines We Carry features intimate portraits of community members interwoven with connections to seven medicines: birchbark, cedar, sage, strawberries, sweetgrass, sunflowers, and tobacco. Through these portraits, Bangishimo disrupts colonial lineages, inscribing Black and Indigenous futurities into public memory, and emphasizing relationships to the land. The exhibit flows throughout the library and can be viewed during library operating hours from October 1 - October 4.
Library hours: Monday – Thursday – 8 am – 10 pm. Friday – 8 am – 6 pm.
Celebrate Rosh Hashanah!
3 pm – 4:30 pm – Vitali Student Lounge, Wemple
ASL Interpreter provided
Celebrate the Jewish New Year with honey, apples, and challah from our local vendors. Learn about the holiday from King's Religious Studies Chair and Professor, Dr. Chaya Halberstam.
Rosh Hashanah for Hebrew Year 5785 begins at sundown on Wednesday, 2 October 2024, and ends at nightfall on Friday, 4 October 2024. Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew: ראש השנה), (literally “head of the year”), is the Jewish New Year. It is the first of the High Holidays or Yamim Noraim (“Days of Awe”), celebrated ten days before Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah is observed on the first two days of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. This two-day festival marks the anniversary of human creation—and the special relationship between humans and God, the creator.
Wednesday, October 2
10 am – 11:30 am - Vitali Student Lounge, King’s University College
When God Became White with Grace Ji-Sun Kim
Webinar link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7jwQheGUTAivbKk4amjp6Q
ASL Interpreter provided
When Western Christians think about God, the default image that comes to mind is usually white and male. How did that happen?
Christianity is rooted in the ancient Near East among people of darker skin. But over time, European Christians cast Jesus in their own image, with art that imagined a fair-skinned Savior in the style of imperial rulers. Grace’s book, When God Became White, explores the historical origins and theological implications of how Jesus became white and God became a white male. The myth of the white male God has had a devastating effect as it enabled Christianity to have a profoundly colonialist posture across the globe.
Grace’s talk will examine some of the roots of the distortion, and its harmful impact on the world, and show what it looks like to recover the biblical reality of a nonwhite, nongendered God. Rediscovering God as Spirit leads us to a more just faith and a better church and world.
Q and A to follow.
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Fanshawe Innovation Village
1001 Fanshawe College Blvd, London, ON
Empowering Voices: A Celebration of Deaf Talent and Leadership
Hybrid Link: https://fanshawec-ca.zoom.us/j/94692700616?pwd=CMxgNLVWimx0rJiXQgjUNfrU4oUnSp.1
ASL Interpreter provided
Part 1: A Celebration of Deaf Talent and Leadership
Part 2: A Celebration of Student Success
Join us for an inspiring evening that celebrates the remarkable achievements and contributions of two members of the Deaf community. This unique event highlights the dynamic presence of Deaf actors, the mentorship of American Sign Language (ASL) educators, and the leadership of influential advocates.
Following that, refreshments will be served during a short break.
The second half of the evening will feature two inspirational Fanshawe College students who will share their individual stories of overcoming barriers, navigating a physical and virtual student landscape and their personal and professional journey toward success.
Thursday, October 3
7 pm – Prayer
7:30 pm – Countering Islamophobia Panel
The Joanne and Peter Kenny Theater, King Student Life Centre, King’s University College
Join us for a profound and important panel discussion on Countering Islamophobia. This conversation will bring together four insightful panelists and a skilled moderator to address the challenges and impact of Islamophobia in London and explore effective strategies for combating it.
Our distinguished panelists will share their expertise and experiences, fostering a thoughtful dialogue on ways to promote understanding, inclusivity, and solidarity within our community. This discussion aims to raise awareness, challenge prejudices, and inspire collective action against Islamophobia.
Your presence and participation are vital as we work together to build a more inclusive and respectful community.
Refreshments will be provided.
Friday, October 4
10 am – 11:30 am – Vitali Student Lounge, King’s University College
The Sacredness of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island with Liz Akiwenzie
Webinar link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nys5xwVkQ7a6t_Xl5_d6eg
ASL Interpreter provided
Indigenous Cultural Knowledge Keeper, Liz Akiwenzie will talk on the Sacredness of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island. Liz brings her captivating storytelling to King’s and helps us understand her ancestors and how they lived on Turtle Island.
Celebrating Black Joy
The Joanne and Peter Kenny Theatre, King’s University College
Webinar link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n9CTEDPNRKyUk8JIV84wjQ
Free parking available in P2 and P3
5 pm – 7 pm – The Joanne and Peter Kenny Theatre
5 pm - 5:30 pm - London Kids Community Gospel Choir (LKCGD)
Closing out the first week of EDIDA Awareness Month is a celebration of Black Joy! You will hear the African American-inspired melodies and harmonies with the London Kids Community Gospel Choir! Music will include contemporary and traditional gospel music and songs.
5:30 pm - Words of welcome from the Director of EDID, Jennifer Slay
5:45 pm - 6:15 pm - Saidat!
Saidat is the first black Canadian female children's entertainer, speaker, community leader and artistic director. To this day, Saidat has impacted over 700,000 children and youth across Canada. From a desire to make people smile and a wish to build confidence in the younger generation, Saidat's message of encouragement, self-worth, and community-mindedness is also a motivation for a global audience. She presents a powerful message from the heart that "One person can make a difference, together we can change the world!"
Register for this event.
Garron Lounge, King Student Life Centre at King’s University College
6:15 pm - 7:00 pm – Celebrating Black Joy Reception
Join us as we celebrate the success of the first week of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Accessibility (EDIDA) Awareness Month 2024!
Our end of week reception will feature hot food, refreshing drinks, and an opportunity to reflect on the impactful events of the week. This is a chance to connect with fellow community members, share experiences, and continue our commitment to a more inclusive and accessible community.
Everyone is welcome! We look forward to seeing you there as we wrap up this first week of learning and growth.