Cultural and Intercultural Initiatives

The African American Heritage Festival is an annual celebration intended to educate, impact and promote cultural awareness while commemorating the legacy of the African American experience. The Student Life Center for Belonging and Social Change, with the assistance of other campus departments, co-sponsors this spring semester eight-day festival. Any student can become a part of the leadership team to plan the events of the week. Past events have included barbecues, concerts, debates, community service events and so much more! For more information, contact Seneca Crump.

Alternative Thanksgiving is an alternative celebration that provides Native American and Indigenous perspectives on the national Thanksgiving holiday. This event also gives Ohio State Native American and Indigenous student leaders an opportunity to create awareness and understanding of the issues that Native American and Indigenous communities are currently experiencing within Ohio and beyond. Traditional Native American and Indigenous foods will be served in addition to a gluten-free and vegan option.  For more information, email Madison Eagle.

The Day of the Dead is celebrated across the university. At the Student Life Center for Belonging and Social Change, we celebrate this holiday by making altares (altars) and hosting conversations about the history of this tradition and how it has evolved throughout history. All programs activities hosted during this time are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Indra Leyva. 

Indigenous Peoples Day is an alternative celebration to Columbus Day that celebrates the histories, cultures and resiliency of Native American and Indigenous peoples. It is annually celebrated on the second Monday in October and is an official holiday in various states and cities. Each year, Native American and Indigenous Student Initiatives invites a prominent Native American and Indigenous keynote to speak about current issues or topics within the Native American and Indigenous community. For more information, email Madison Eagle. 

Sharing our stories and finding others with shared experiences is incredibly powerful. Join us for our Multiracial Discussion Tables, where you can share and hear from others about their experiences as multiracial students. Each table will have a different topic led by one of our student leaders. Please register. For more information, email Connor Vezina.

The Asian American Association (AAA) and Student Life Center for Belonging and Social Change at The Ohio State University are proud to announce the collaboration effort on this year's One Asian Nation (OAN) 2020. Each year, OAN creates a theme to capture a salient aspect of the APIDA experience. Last year’s theme for was “Limitless.” In our society, living as APIDA individuals, it is almost inescapable to encounter a roadblock. An obstruction in our path. A limit. But shown through last year's theme, “Limitless,” OAN aimed to empower all APIDA students to set a path and mindset where, "Your dreams and goals are limitless, nothing can stop them, and you can do whatever you set your mind to." OAN is a wonderful opportunity for the diverse community here at Ohio State to come together for a night of eating food, making friends and showing support to the OAN contestants who will be competing for the two top places announced at the end of the event. Enjoy their diverse talents, witness them wearing their cultural attire, and be inspired by their reflections and insights during the Question and Answer portion of this multifaceted night. At the end of the show, the audience will be given a chance to cast votes to influence who they feel is most deserving to be crowned the winners of OAN! The top two contestants after the audience and judges cast their votes will be able to donate the proceeds of the night to a charity of their choice, or have the opportunity to use the money to head an event that will bring awareness to a cause they feel most passionate about. For more information, email Connor Vezina.  

The first Orange Shirt Day was celebrated on September 30, 2013, in honor of Native American and Indigenous boarding school survivors, descendants and deceased students. These boarding schools were created by the federal government and religious missionaries to assimilate Native American and Indigenous children into Western culture and to eradicate the practice of their traditional culture, language and ceremony. The day is known as “Orange Shirt Day” after former student Phyllis Webstad shared her story of her first day at boarding school in which her favorite orange shirt was taken away. September 30 has been annually declared Orange Shirt Day in recognition of the harm that the Native American and Indigenous boarding school system did to generations of Native American and Indigenous families and communities. The Ohio State Community will be observing Orange Shirt Day by asking everyone to wear an orange shirt. Contact Native American and Indigenous Student Initiatives Intercultural Specialist Madison Eagle to find out how to receive the official NAISI Orange Shirt. For more information on Orange Shirt Day, visit orangeshirtday.org.

Join the Student Life Center for Belonging and Social Change Latinx initiatives in kicking off #OSUnidos! OSUnidos aims to enhance allyship among communities at Ohio State. During this week, we ask participants to make a pledge on behalf of the Latinx community and get an OSUnidos T-Shirt. Additionally, at this event, students will have an opportunity to ask questions about Latinx cultures, connect with one another and build community. Let’s plant the seeds for our future together! For more information, contact Indra Leyva. 

Every year, the Center for Belonging and Social Change recognizes Equal Pay Day on March 8. 

This night of live music, dancing, food, and student performances is always a great time!

The Center for Belonging and Social Change host an annual LGBTQ Holigay Celebration, a gathering to have a jolly, gay ol' time connecting with friends, celebrating each other, and enjoying some holiday cheer! 

Every year, the Center for Belonging and Social Change recognizes International Women's Day on March 8. 

Every year, the Center for Belonging and Social Change recognizes National Coming Out Day (NCOD), which occurs annually on October 11. This day serves to support the idea that homophobia and transphobia thrives in silence and ignorance, and encourages LGBTQ folks to "come out of the closet." 

In celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month (June), the Center for Belonging and Social Change partners with colleges and departments across campus events to host Pride events. 

Take Back the Night is an international movement dedicated to bringing awareness and support for survivors of sexual assault. Go to takebackthenight.org to learn more about this global initiative. Take Back the Night at Ohio State is also a student organization that supports and contributes to this annual event. All other programs of the student organization are done independently from the Student Life Center for Belonging and Social Change. 

Each year on March 31, the Center for Belonging and Social Change recognizes the Transgender Day of Visibility, a time to celebrate those who are transgender and/or non-binary around the world.

Every November, the Center for Belonging and Social Change celebrates Transgender Awareness and Empowerment Week. Join us for a week of events that honor, empower, and support those who are transgender and/or non-binary here at The Ohio State University!