2024 Kente Graduation Ceremony
The ceremony recognizes and celebrates the diversity of all graduating seniors who self-identify as having a diverse ethnic background. The ceremony provides a platform to acknowledge the personal journey and academic achievements of the graduates, notably their determination and resilience to persist, excel, and graduate. Other graduating seniors who contribute to fostering the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice at the University are also welcome to attend and support their peers.
If you are expecting to graduate in the Spring, Summer, or Fall of the 2024 academic year, you can register for the Kente graduation ceremony!
The registration deadline is April 10, 2024.
Alumni Field House doors open at 6 P.M. Thursday, April 25 2024
For questions or additional information please email Laura Arias, Associate Director of the Center for Racial Justice and Inclusive Excellence at laura.arias@oneonta.edu.
Past Kente Graduation Ceremonies
Kente Graduation Ceremony Frequently Asked Questions
What is this event?
The Kente Graduation Ceremony recognizes and celebrates the diversity of all graduating seniors who self-identify as having a diverse ethnic background. The ceremony provides a platform to acknowledge the personal journey and academic achievements of the graduates, notably their determination and resilience to persist, excel, and graduate. Each graduate receives a Kente cloth during the ceremony to wear at commencement. The donning of the Kente stole celebrates excellence, achievement, overcoming adversity, and prestige. Students who contribute to fostering the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice at the University are also welcome to attend and support their peers.
What does the Kente stole represent?
The Kente cloth is a traditional African cloth – the colors and design hold a specific meaning. It is the most popular and best known of all African textiles. Originally, royalty exclusively wore Kente but since Ghana’s independence from Britain in 1957 Kente has become a symbol of national pride.
The Kente cloth has also become an important symbol for African Americans, and people of color in general, and their allies to highlight their achievements and connection to the first learning centers of the world in Africa.
What is the dress code?
Attendees should be dressed in formal wear, whatever that may mean to them. It is not required or expected that faculty attendees wear academic regalia.
Is there an attendance fee?
No. There is no attendance fee for students, guests, or employees.
Will there be food?
Yes. The event is catered. There will be food and beverages.
Is there an afterparty?
Yes! There is an afterparty organized by students and for students only. The afterparty will be held from 8pm to 10pm. The location of the afterparty will be determined soon.
Some Major CRJIE Activities
- Annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Social Justice Workshops and Trainings
- Expanded Mentoring Program with stipends for mentors
- Endowed Speakers Series on a variety of DEI and Social Justice Topics
- Reunions
- Internships – paid and credit bearing
- Faculty–in-Residence Programs
- Scholarships to support student academics
- Student staff salary support
- Mini grants for campus community members to sponsor and facilitate topics related to DEI, Social Justice, Community Building and Belonging, Health and Well-being, Trauma and Self-Care etc.
- Student Diversity Leadership Conference
Advisory Committee
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Bernadette Tiapo, Ph.D., VP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer, Advisory Committee Chair
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Dr. Gretchen Sorin, Director & Distinguished Service Professor of Museum Studies
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Dr. Trudy Thomas Smith, Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry
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Dr. Penina Kamina, Professor, Elementary Education & Reading
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Dr. Betty Wambui, Professor, Africana and Latinx Studies
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Dr. Rhea Nowak, Professor, of Art & Faculty Center Director
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Dr. William Walker, Associate Professor, Cooperstown Graduate Program
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Dr. Tracy Betsinger, Professor, Anthropology
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Anne Winchester, Administrative Assistant
"If colleges and universities are to best represent what they aspire to be--more diverse, more equitable and inclusive--they must acknowledge, interrogate, and dismantle the systems and structures that have been created and evolved over time which sustain inequities impacting the living, learning and work environment of students, faculty and staff. We must do our “home” work and demonstrate what it means to dismantle racism." Excerpt from a statement by NADOHE titled: Accountability: A Step Towards Justice, April 21, 2021 – Ford Lauderdale, FL.
Latinx Heritage Month
Current Initiatives
Kente Awards
Ida B. Wells/Dolores Huerta Civil Rights Advocacy Award
Courageous advocacy of equality and civil rights
Oprah Winfrey/Mumia Abu-Jamal Leadership & Courage Award
Motivates others to action and demonstrates courage and speaks out in the face of opposition.
Nuyorican Poets/Guerilla Girls New Direction Award
Creates new avenues and space of expression and awareness.
Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz/Booker T. Washington Higher Learning Award
Embraces higher education to its fullest and sets examples for others.
Rigoberta Menchu Indigenous Languages Advocacy Award
Community engagement and advocacy of linguistic, ethnic, and racial diversity.
Mariama Ba African Feminist Literature Award
Engagement with intersectionality in the quest for liberation and creative expression,
Mae Jemison/Percy Julian Exploration Award
School of Social Sciences student excelling in science, technology, or science education.
Dr. Ralph R Watkins Scholar Award
School of Liberal Arts and Business student who excels academically, shows a passion for their work, and an intellectual curiosity.
Pura Belpre/Ann Lowe/Bill Russell Multicultural Award
School of Education, Human Ecology, and Sports Management student who has shown a desire to engage marginalized populations and expand their understanding of the global society.
Evening with Eduardo Chavez/Cesar Chavez Film & Documentary Series
Cesar Chavez Film & Documentary Series
April 3,4,5,6
Cesar Chavez, A biography of the civil-rights activist and labor organizer Cesar Chavez.
Two Screenings, Q & A following.
April 3, 2023 3pm-5pm Red Dragon Theater, Hunt Union
April 3, 2023 7pm-9pm, Freedom Room, Lee Hall
Chicano! The struggle in the fields, the land is rich.
Two Screenings, Q & A following.
April 4, 2023 3pm-5pm Planetarium, Perna Science Center
April 4, 2023 7pm-9pm, Freedom Room, Lee Hall
Fighting for our lives, Delano Nanongs.
Two Screenings, Q & A following.
April 4, 2023 3pm-5pm Red Dragon Theater, Hunt Union
April 4, 2023 7pm-9pm, Great Room, Lee Hall
Hailing Cesar
Eduardo Chavez, Director, Activist, Podcast host & grandson of Cesar Chavez screening his documentary.
April 6, 2023, 7pm-9pm, IRC #3 doors open at 6:45pm. President Cardelle will moderate the Q&A.
Afternoon with Eduardo Chavez
April 6
Discussion at 1:15pm in IRC #1 on Identity and Activism.
Workshop at 3pm in IRC#1 on Identity and Documentary Filmmaking.
Open to all students. Scan the QR code to reserve a seat for all of the events.
Email Maya.Aponte-Whaley@oneonta.edu or Katherine.Bashaw@oneonta.edu for more information.
2023 Kente Graduation Ceremony Registration
Deadline: February 6, 2023
Graduating Seniors in Spring, Summer, or Winter 2023.
If you have any questions please contact Howard Ashford, howard.ashford@oneonta.edu.
An Engaging Evening with Nikole Hannah-Jones.
Truth, History, Accountability, and the 1619 Project. Moderated by: Dr. E. Howard Ashford.
Thursday, November 3 7- 8:15 PM
Dewar Arena, Alumni Field House
Book Signing 8:30- 9:00 PM
Selena Quintanilla Perez: A Tribute
Remembering the life and influence of Selena in Latin American and U.S. culture.
Movie and Music
October 12, 2022
6pm-8pm (Movie)
8pm-9pm (Music)
CRJIE - Great Room
Snacks Served
Hosted by Prof. Howard Ashford of the Africana and Latinx Studies Department and sponsored by the Center for Racial Justice and Inclusive Excellence.
Harriet Tubman Freedom Award
The Center for Racial Justice and Inclusive Excellence sought nominations for the 2023 Freedom Award.
The Harriet Tubman Freedom Award was awarded to a faculty/staff member who went above and beyond to provide students with the opportunity to cultivate a well-rounded understanding of the global society, provide seen and unseen student support, and serves as a beacon of hope that an inclusive society is a tangible reality.
Recipient was awarded at the 2023 Kente Graduation Ceremony. Nominations were due December 21, 2022.
- Nominees must be nominated by a current SUNY Oneonta student/employee.
- Nominating statement must be at least 500 words (student) and 750 words (faculty/staff).
- Submit statements to Anne Winchester.
Latinx Heritage Month
Announcing the Center for Racial Justice and Inclusive Excellence
The Office of Equity and Inclusion is pleased to announce an important step toward advancing inclusive excellence, antiracism, social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion at SUNY Oneonta.