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Intercultural Center

Welcome! The Intercultural Center was developed to provide safe and brave spaces for historically minoritized and marginalized groups on campus with the goal of increased diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Intercultural Center (ICC) will serve as:

  • a resource for the campus community while placing the experiences of diverse and historically minoritized and marginalized groups at the center. ​
  • a dynamic learning space with deliberate programming and opportunities to support all members of COC with the goal of increased diversity, equity, and inclusion.​
  • a safe space where the goal is expression without fear of repercussion, and a brave space where expressions are both, validated and challenged.​
  • a place to meet, build community, and serve as another access point/bridge to existing resources.Diversity is crucial in assuring that we can understand each other in deeper ways that help keep us humble and open to the fact that the world does not only revolve around our beliefs. It can help develop us into better people, as it increases our understanding of human nature. The importance of diversity itself can benefit us in all aspects of our lives. 

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 

HHM

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. It was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period beginning on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, with the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day, or Día de la Raza, on October 12, falls within this 30-day period.

Dolores Huerta to Speak at College

Dolores FLEX

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and Labor Day, labor leader and community organizer Dolores Huerta will speak at the College of the Canyons Intercultural Center (ICC) at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19. 

The event will feature Huerta and highlight the evolution of public policy, social justice, and advocacy over her career as an activist, as well as how young people can serve their communities.

A U.S. Department of Labor Hall of Honor inductee, Huerta was the first Latina inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She is a former UC Regent and has earned honorary doctorates from universities throughout the United States.

The ICC, which will officially open its doors on Sept. 13, is located on the ground floor of Bonelli Hall at the Valencia campus.

The event is free and open to the public.

RSVP HERE

Interview with Shelby Steele

Shelby

“An Interview with Shelby Steele" will be an hour-long event that will discuss the impact of contemporary social programs, such as affirmative action, on race relations in American society.

Steele specializes in the study of race relations, multiculturalism, and affirmative action. 

Steele earned his Ph.D. in English from the University of Utah, a master’s degree in sociology from Southern Illinois University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Coe College.

He is a member of the National Association of Scholars, the national board of the American Academy for Liberal Education, the University Accreditation Association, and the national board at the Center for the New American Community at the Manhattan Institute.

Steele has also written extensively for major publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. He is a contributing editor at Harper's magazine. 

“An Interview with Shelby Steele” will be held in the lobby of the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, which is located at the Valencia campus. 

The event is free and open to the public.

RSVP HERE

  • We have embedded below our campus event calendar. You can use the "search function" to find events meaningful to you. We've highlighted a few events you may want to explore in our featured events section below to assist you in your search. 

     

  • To see watch professional development trainings please click on the zoom recording button located on the right side. A complete list of all events can be found here.

     Event  Date and Time  Location or Link

    Roe…A Campus Discussion

    Monday, May 16, 2022

    1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

    Zoom Recording

    On Account of Sex: A Campus Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Discussion

    Wednesday, March 22, 2022

    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

    Zoom Recording  

    Love & Equality-The Muslim Experience

    Thursday, March 10, 2022

    Time:  2:30-3:30 P.M.

    Zoom Recording  
    Celebrating Multiculturalism through Poetry and Literature

    Friday, April 23, 2021

    10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.

    Zoom Recording
    Moving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Forward in Corporate America

    Wed.,September 29 2021

    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM




    Zoom Recording Zoom Recording

     

  • To see past events please click on the zoom recording button located on the right side. A complete list of all events can be found here.

     Event  Date and Time  Location or Link

    STILL Tired of Teaching to Little Black Boxes…the Conversation Continues

    Friday, August 13, 2021

    8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

    Zoom Recording

    Birth of Hip Hop / Evolution of Hip Hop / Where it all began

    Thursday, May 20, 2021

    3:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

    Zoom Recording  

     COC Lunch and Learn

    Thursday, May 6, 2021

    12:30pm - 1:30pm 

    CalWORKs/EOPS/CARE

    Zoom Recording  
    Celebrating Multiculturalism through Poetry and Literature

    Friday, April 23, 2021

    10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.

    Zoom Recording

     

  • To see past events please click on the zoom recording button located on the right side. A complete list of all events can be found here.

    Title

     Formatt and Author   Link or ISBN number

    Racism without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in America

    Book: Eduardo Bonilla-Silva Go!
    The Racism Right Before Our Eyes - There is implicit bias — and then there is behavior like this  Article: Jamelle Bouie

    Go!

     

  • Title Desciption   Link or Location

    Student Services Homepage

     A COC webpage that lists all of our college student services offices and websites Go!
    Dreamers Together Homepage A COC webpage supporting DACA, AB 540, Undocumented,  and Out of Status students.

    Go!

     

    Equity Minded Practitioners A group dedicated to addressing disproportionate impact by reviewing institutional practices to identify and help resolve equity gaps.  
    Go!

    Equity In Education

    A video recording of a discussion on Equity within Education - led by Brandon Ashford, Julie Johnson, and Robert Wonser

    Go!

    Undocumented Students Resource

    Supporting Undocumented Students: Important Points for Allies

    By: Esther Villegas-Sandoval, Faculty, Sociology

    Go!

    Ted Talk - All Student Allyship Resource

    Ted Talk: The Danger of Silence

    By: Clint Smith

    Go!  

    Trans Students Allyship

    10 Misconceptions Every Trans Ally Needs to Understand

    By: Brynn Tannehill

    Go!
    White Allies Resource

    White People, Please Stop Declaring Yourself Allies

    By: Ernest Owens

    Go!  
    White Allies Resource

    The Role of ‘Privileged’ Allies in the Struggle for Social Justice

    By: Angeliki Fanouria Giannaki

     

    Go!
     Allyship at Work Resource 

    Allyship in the workplace Ted Talk 

    By: Melinda Epler 

      Go!  
     The Power Of Diversity

    The Key to Unlocking the Power of Diversity

    By: Sheree Atcheson

    Go!
    The Cherokee Removal: A Brief History 

    A quick look into Cherokee History, accompanied by supporting documents.

      Go!

Featured Videos:

"ICC Opening"

Opening Of MCC Video Clip Play

"Alliances Open House"

Video Alliances Open House Play

"ICC Open Mic": (Notice: some poetry in this video may contain langauage some viewers may find offensive or inapproriate for minors)   

Open Mic Video

"Equity In Education" 

Video Still Frame- Click to hear discussion

 "Undocumented Student Week of Action (Know Your Rights)"

video clip undocumented students week