Bloomsburg University to hold seventh annual "No Hate Week"

BLOOMSBURG — Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania will hold its seventh annual No Hate Week from Saturday, Nov. 13, through Thursday, Nov. 18. This year's theme is "No More Silence."

No Hate Week starts on Saturday, Nov. 13, from 6 to 11 p.m., with a Family Reunion (for current students) in the Kehr Union Ballroom. The event is sponsored by the No Hate Committee, Multicultural Affairs/Student Support Services, and the Multicultural Center Advisory Board.

On Sunday, Nov. 14, at 5 p.m. in the Kehr Union Ballroom, a candlelight event titled "Pray Their Names and For Our Loved Ones" will be held. It will include the BU Gospel Choir and honor those we have lost in the past year. The event is sponsored by the No Hate Committee, Multicultural Affairs/Student Support Services, IMPACT, and Pastor Kelly Kocher Ross.

On Monday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., as part of No Hate Week and Native America Heritage month, Larry Mann will speak via Zoom about Native American Sovereignty: The Tribal Stories that Bind Us. Join via https://bloomu.zoom.us/j/4539831858 [email.readme.readmedia.com]. Sponsors are the Multicultural Center, Multicultural Affairs/Student Support Services, and No Hate Week committee.

Mann, a citizen of the Nipmuc Tribe of Massachusetts, is an award-winning writer, poet, cultural educator, Traditional Storyteller, tribal drummer /dancer and motivational speaker. His topics cover youth sobriety, cultural and environmental awareness. Mann is co-director of the Ohketeau Cultural Center and Founder of the Native Youth Empowerment Foundation.

He is also a former board member of the Nipmuk Cultural Preservation, an organization set up to promote the cultural, social, and spiritual needs of Nipmuc people and an educational resource of Native American studies.

On Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m., the fourth annual "Beyond the Fountain," discussion will be held in the Kehr Union Ballroom. The panelists include Jimel Caslliste, Wilkes Barre NAACP Branch president; Albert Jones, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities; Ralph Goldbolt, director of Act 101/EOP; and Kerrie DeVries, assistant professor of psychology. The event sponsors are the No Hate Committee, Multicultural Affairs/Student Support Services, and the Community Government Association.

On Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m., in the Kehr Union Ballroom, Kendra Parke '18, marketing and community engagement coordinator, and Valerie Fessler '03, director of development and community engagement, from the American Rescue Workers organization will speak on housing insecurity. Also, that night at 10 p.m., BU students will sleep outside on the Lycoming lawn to raise awareness of homelessness.

No Hate Week concludes on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. in the Kehr Union Ballroom with a conversation with Albert Jones, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities.

During "No Hate Week" items will be collected, including blankets, pillows, tents, and other essential items, for the homeless shelter in Williamsport.

For more information, contact Marcei Woods at mwoods@bloomu.edu.