Contact: Aspen Harris

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State is celebrating Unity Month throughout April with a variety of events including the International Fiesta, a showcase of different cultures, heritages and religions of the university’s students, faculty and staff.

Sponsored by the World Neighbors Association and MSU’s Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, the popular International Fiesta returns April 13, 11-3 p.m. on the Drill Field with entertainment, food and displays.

The HCDC also is hosting the Cultural Language Exchange today [April 2] and 16, 6-7 p.m. in Old Main Academic Center, Room 3050, providing students an opportunity to learn about home countries and native languages of their peers.

MSU’s Music Maker Productions will celebrate Unity Month with its annual Old Main Music Festival of live music, food trucks and an art market, April 26 at the MSU Amphitheater. MMP will announce Old Main’s music acts soon via Facebook and other social media platforms.

Other events include:

—April 8, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Interfaith Fair, Drill Field, offers a chance to learn about and become involved with various religious and spiritual organizations.

—April 10, 6-7:30 p.m., Unity Unleashed: A Night of Fun and Games, Old Main Academic Center, Room 3200.

—April 11, 2-4 p.m., Unity Month Student Mixer, YMCA Building Plaza, unites students with food and fun activities.

—April 21, 4 p.m., Spring Concert with Black Voices Gospel Choir, Lee Hall, Bettersworth Auditorium, celebrates the influence of gospel music with performances of songs from top gospel artists in the country.

Additionally, the Office of Inclusive Excellence also hosts events this month geared toward faculty and staff:

 —April 4, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., “Rural and…: Exploring Identity Intersection and Student Success,” Memorial Hall, Coskrey Auditorium, invites MSU employees to learn how to help rural students with various intersecting identities. Lunch is provided.

—April 9, 6-7:30 p.m., Interfaith Dinner and Dialogue, Center for America’s Veterans, multipurpose room, invites MSU faculty, staff and students to a dinner and dialogue to learn how to improve skills in communicating and building relationships with people of different faiths.

To register for either event, visit https://w.msstate.edu/workshops/. Once signed in, navigate to the Division of Access, Opportunity and Success, and then register for the desired session. 

For more event information, contact Karolina Kastsiuchenka, Holmes Cultural Diversity Center program coordinator, at 662-325-2033 or kkastsiuchenka@adi.msstate.edu.

To learn more about MSU’s Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, visit www.hcdc.msstate.edu.

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