News

BRCC celebrates diversity week

By Bill Moss, Published: February 27, 2017

Blue Ridge Community College announced that Discover Diversity Week 2017 activities will take place March 13-16 at both the Henderson County and Transylvania County campuses.

BRCC Discover Diversity is a series of events to promote an awareness of diversity and a greater understanding of global issues. From international foods to foreign films, exciting events are scheduled throughout the week to provoke thought and celebrate diversity.

Discover Diversity Week will kick off at the Transylvania County campus with the Heritage Food Tasting on Monday, March 13 beginning at 11 a.m., followed by a 4x4 International Film Fest at noon. Both events are free and open to the public. They will be held at the Transylvania County Campus Room S140.

Faculty, staff, and students will join together on Tuesday, March 14, at the Henderson County campus for a globe-trotting tour of tasty dishes from all over the world. The seventh annual International Food Tasting will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Killian Building Student Center. There is a $5 admission for this event.

Discover Diversity Week will continue on Wednesday, March 15, with keynote speaker, Jasmine Beach-Ferrara. A minister in the United Church of Christ, Beach-Ferrara graduated from Brown University and received a MFA from the Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College and a a masters in divinity from Harvard Divinity School. She has worked on LGBT rights campaigns since 2004 and founded the Campaign for Southern Equality in 2011. She currently serves on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Beach-Ferrara will speak on the topic of diversity. The free event will take place from 11 a.m. to noon in the Thomas Auditorium on the Henderson County campus. There will be a live broadcast at the Transylvania County Campus.

Finally, participants can view a collection of four award winning short films presenting a medley of voices and viewpoints at the 4x4 International Film Fest. This event will be held in the Patton Auditorium on the Henderson County Campus at 12:30 p.m. and is free. All events are open to the public. For more information on Discover Diversity Week events, visit www.blueridge.edu/discover-diversity or contact Jack Igelman at (828) 694-1868.