Join us for the 2022 Diversity in Culture Festival this April. Oxnard College and Ventura College are collaborating to host online and in-person events.
April 11 - Virtual and on-campus events at Oxnard College.
April 12 - Multicultural Day at Moorpark College with on-campus and virtual events.
April 13 - Virtual events and speakers.
April 14 - Diversity Festival at Ventura College with on-campus and virtual events.
For information about the Diversity in Culture Festival, contact:
Ventura College: mtfiumerodo@vcccd.edu
Oxnard College: amparo_medina1@vcccd.edu
Please request disability accommodations for any event 72 hours in advance. Oxnard College, Candice Wittkins 805-678-5830 or Ventura College, Lisa Simmons 805-289-6577.
Welcome to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Week
Monday, April 11 - 9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. via Zoom
Join VCCCD Chancellor Greg Gillespie, Board of Trustees Chair Dianne McKay, Ventura College President Kim Hoffmans, Oxnard College President Luis Sanchez, and Moorpark College President Julius Sokenu as they open DEI events for the week. Captioning and ASL interpreting will be available.
Asian American Poet: Shirley Geok-lin Lim
Monday, April 11 - 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. via Zoom
Internationally recognized and award-winning poet, Shirley Geok-lin Lim will share poems from her forthcoming collection, In Praise of Limes, in which she “praises, rebukes, teases, and caresses her adopted California,” (LA Review of Books). A a native-born Malayan with a Chinese grandfather and an immigrant to the United States, Lim seeks to weave together, rather than separate the strands of her cultural identity. Hosted by VC English Professor Eric Martinsen. Captioning will be available.
Afro-Fusion Dance Presentation & Instruction
With Performer Yaminah Legohn
Monday, April 11 - noon - 1 p.m. via Zoom
Don't miss this cultural dance workshop that highlights African, Hip Hop and Caribbean styles. Learn dance history and culture along with a fun choreographed routine. Captioning will be available.
Learn more about Yaminah Legohn.
Meet Chumash Leader and Activist Julie Tumamait-Stenslie
Monday, April 11 - 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. via Zoom
Experience The Chumash Way in an in-depth discussion of indigenous culture and the issues being faced by the Chumash. Presented by The Ventura College Anthropology Club. Captioning and ASL interpreting will be available.
Student Stories: Celebrating the Journey to Success
Monday, April 11 - 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. via Zoom
Listen to inspiring student success stories from Ventura College Foundation scholarship recipients. Learn about students from various backgrounds and about their pathways to achieving their goals. Captioning and ASL interpreting will be available.
Join a Discussion on Gender and Inclusion
Monday, April 11 - 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. via Zoom
The VC Sociology Club will present a panel on the state of gender and inclusion in our society today. Captioning and ASL interpreting will be available.
Bomba Puertorriquena and #BateyBuilding: Everyone has a part to play
Monday, April 11 - 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Live at the OC Outdoor Amphitheater
Learn about one of the oldest living cultural genres of the Americas, Puerto Rican Bomba, in a dynamic LIVE workshop and performance presented by Taller Bula, based in Tongva Land (Long Beach, California.)
INSTONE - Live Performance
Monday, April 11 - 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Live at the OC Outdoor Amphitheater
Enjoy live, outdoor music with the big sounds from Instone, one of Ventura County's most exciting bands. Formed in 2007, by Daniel Velasco and Antonio Guevara, Instone plays music from a variety of genres in both English and Spanish. Check them out on Instagram @instonelive
"Mujeres del Movimeinto" panel discussion
Monday, April 11 - 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Live at the OC Outdoor Amphitheater
The birth of the Chicano/a Student Movement & Chicano/a Studies. A panel discussion with local Chicano/a Movement activists Diana Borrego-Martinez & Maria Elena Saladaña.
Moorpark College Multicultural Day
Visit the website for event details
Graphic Novelist Henry Barajas
Wednesday, April 13 - 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. via Zoom
Join us in meeting Latinx author Henry Barajas who is best known for his graphic memoir about his great-grandfather, titled La Voz De M.A.Y.O. Tata Rambo. He is also known for his Latinx fantasy Helm Greycastle. Recently, Barajas wrote the Marvel & SOMOS Healthcare AVENGERS #1 issue to inspire the people of New York City to get vaccinated. Captioning will be available.
Meet Civil Rights Activist Dolores Huerta
Wednesday, April 13 - 10 a.m - 11 a.m. via Zoom
Don't miss the opportunity to see a legend in action. Meet the celebrated Latina labor leader, activist and community organizer, Dolores Huerta who founded the United Farm Workers union with Cesar Chavez. She served as vice-president and played a critical role in many of the union’s accomplishments for four decades. Huerta is also the president and founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF). Captioning and ASL interpreting will be available.
Refining Diversity and Inclusion with Celia Daniels
Wednesday, April 13 - 11 a.m. - noon via Zoom
Take your seat at the table for this discussion on the intersectionality of gender identity with Celia Daniels, activist, founder and CEO of Rebekon Consulting LLC. Captioning will be available.
The Power of Self-Compassion & How to Cultivate Joy
Wednesday, April 13 - 11 a.m. to noon via Zoom
Motivational speaker and performer Sade Champagne will discuss how to cultivate joy and will share the importance of self-compassion. Learn gentle and tangible tips on how to build resilience, patience and momentum, no matter where you are in life. Captioning will be available.
Learn more about Sade Champagne.
Project R Panel: Respect, Rethink, Reconsider
Wednesday, April 13 - Noon - 1 p.m. via Zoom
Project R is a campaign discouraging the use of the “R” word so that people with disabilities may be empowered and recognized as individuals with qualities and abilities who offer value and significance to our community. Project R is an initiative encouraging people to rethink and reconsider their use of the "R" word in their everyday language. We promote respect and cultural competence among all cultures and age groups in Ventura County. Eric Rodriguez from the ARC will join panelists from Project R. Captioning will be available.
The Hope U Give
Professional Development Event With Dr. G.T. Reyes
Wednesday, April 13 - 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. via Zoom
This interactive session explores how a critical praxis (Freire, 1970) framework that involves problematizing, visibilizing, reframing, and reimagining could help with the ongoing journey to rethink the community college as a transformative and liberatory space. Examine how the intersections of culture and structure need to be problematized as well as reimagined in order to teach and learn towards The Hope U Give Little Infants Frees Everyone.
The Ausome Autism All-stars and Magician Cody Clark
Wednesday, April 13 - 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. via Zoom
Join in a panelist discussion from the community and VC campus. After the discussion, magician/autistic self-advocate Cody Clark will share the honest ins and outs of being autistic both in his shows and in his "magi-talks" given to educators, students, and corporations. Captioning will be available.
A Virtual Showing of “Somos” Followed by a Q & A
Wednesday, April 13 - 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. via Zoom
View a screening of the film "Somos" followed by a Q & A with Director Alan Manzo and Producer Genie Deez.
Alan Manzo, director of "Somos", was born in Mexico City and grew up in Los Angeles. He uses the artistic medium of filming as a tool for social change and hopes to encourage the younger generations to find and discover their light. Manzo received his MFA in Film and Television production from the School of Cinematic Arts at USC and has worked for ABC, Netflix, Sony, Disney and most recently 20th Century Fox Television.
Genie Deez, producer of "Somos", is a scholar, writer, and producer located in Los Angeles. He has been recognized by the Television Academy Foundation for his contributions to educational media, and is a recipient of the Fred Rogers Memorial Grant. Deez is currently completing his PhD at Claremont Graduate University and developing his first television program with PBS Kids centered on functional literacy.
Captioning will be available.
OC LIVE: WEspeak
Wednesday, April 13 - 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Oxnard College
WEspeak celebrates the unique voices of our student community. Join us as Oxnard College students share stories about their lives on campus and beyond, giving insight into what it's like to meet life's challenges right here, right now. Come for the stories, leave inspired and enlightened! ASL interpreting will be available.
Ceramics Sale & Live Demonstrations
Thursday, April 14 - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Ventura College Gallery 2
Find unique and functional wares like cups, bowls, vases, plates and more for your everyday use or as gifts. All handmade ceramics are created by students from the Ventura College Ceramics Program. Don’t miss this opportunity to support our ceramics students and purchase amazing handmade pieces of functional and decorative art.
“Defining Your Identity”
Understanding the Ancient Sun Stone of the Aztec Calendar
Thursday, April 14 - 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Ventura College ASC 150 & Zoom
Not many people realize the vital information that can be found in the sun stone calendar. When used properly, the sun stone can help students realize their full potential in life as well as help them access career possibilities. Jaime Vega will present and help participants learn about the day they were born, also known as “TonaLi." Captioning and ASL interpreting will be available.
Register in Advance to attend via Zoom.
VC Main Stage Events Live, On-Campus
Ballet Folklorico Bell Arts
Thursday, April 14 - 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. - VC Main Stage
The vibrant spirit of traditional folklorico dance will open our live stage events. Ballet Folklorico Bell Arts is directed by Rebecca Duran. This live event will also be live streamed on YouTube and will have an ASL interpreter for stage.
Indigenous Hip Hop Artist Zero el vuh
Thursday, April 14 - 10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. - VC Main Stage
Zero is one the founding members of the Los Angeles indigenous hip-hop group "el vuh." Zero will perform his release, "Tonal y Nahual" and spread his message of unity, identity, and community. This event will be live streamed on YouTube and will have an ASL interpreter for stage.
Traditional Aztec Dance - Danza Azteca Xochipilli
Thursday, April 14 -11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - VC Main Stage
Don't miss this traditional Aztec dance performance presenting the culture, color, spirit and rhythms of native Meso-American cultures. Danza Azteca Xochipilil will explain the significance of their performance in a cultural context and will invite audience members to participate in a friendship dance. This event will be live streamed on YouTube and will have an ASL interpreter for stage.
VC Jazz Ensemble
Thursday, April 14 - Noon to 12:45 p.m. - VC Main Stage
Join Professor Fundi Legohn as he leads the Ventura College Jazz Ensemble for a lunchtime concert. This in-person, outdoor concert will be live streamed on YouTube and will have an ASL interpreter for stage.
Announcement of Art Contest winner
Thursday, April 14 - 12:45 p.m. - 1 p.m. - VC Main Stage
The VC Art Department will announce the art contest winner for the 2023 Diversity in Culture Festival. The art work will be featured on the poster for next year’s event. This will be live streamed on YouTube and will have an ASL interpreter for stage.
Ulama Aztec Ball Game - Live Demo
Thursday, April 14 - 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. - VC Main Stage
The California Ajupeme USA Mesoamerican Ballgame Delegation will present an educational and cultural presentation on Ulama, or Ullamaliztli, the traditional Aztec ball game. This will be live streamed on YouTube and will have an ASL interpreter for stage.
Borderlands - Live Musical Performance
Thursday, April 14 - 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. - VC Main Stage
Borderlands as a band represents our multicultural, multilingual nation. We sing songs in English and Spanish from Latin America, North America, and from around the world. Our songs deal with real issues and strive to elevate the human spirit. This event will be live streamed on YouTube and will have an ASL interpreter for stage.
Ventura College Virtual Events
Meet Best-Selling Author Jason Reynolds
Thursday, April 14 - 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. via Zoom & Showing in ASC 150
Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen books for young people, including: Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, All American Boys, Long Way Down and more. He also co-authored Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (a Ventura College One Book One Campus selection for 2020-21). Captioning and ASL interpreting provided.
Oxnard College Virtual Event
Becoming-Black: Korean Hip-hop at the Age of Hallyu
Thursday, April 14 - 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. via Zoom
Examine the emergence of hip-hop in contemporary South Korea with UC Irvine's Professor Kyung Hyun Kim, founding director of UCI's Center for Critical Korean Studies. Explore how hip-hop performers in South Korea draw on their experiences of social marginality in oppressed communities to create their work. Captioning will be available.