Diversity Month at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine went out in grand style on Wednesday, highlighted by thrilling performances that emphasized the importance of the month’s theme.
Called the “DEI Gratitude Celebration,” the event was held in the new atrium of O’Dowd Hall.
There, percussionists, dancers, and poets brought the special month to a close. The month included panel discussions, dance lessons, a cultural exchange where family customs and more were on exhibit, a relaunch of the Kaleidoscope project, and more.
Tonya Bailey, Ph.D., associate dean, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Community Engagement, called the DEI Gratitude Celebration a “fitting finale.”
“It brought together all the themes we've been exploring throughout the month, showcasing the richness of our community's diverse backgrounds and experiences,” she said.
“It was a celebration of unity and inclusion, highlighting the importance of embracing our differences,” she added. “It also signifies OUWB’s commitment to celebrating diversity 365.”
Christopher Carpenter, M.D., Stephan Sharf Dean, OUWB, joined Bailey at the start of the program to welcome everyone. He spoke about the importance of diversity in health care.
“We do better at taking care of patients by recognizing the importance of diversity in health care,” he said. “We’ve got to understand that it’s escalated for us (in health care). And it’s 365 days a year…not just one day, one week or one month.”
Mark Stone, a professor of music at Oakland University, played the gyil. |
The first performer was Mark Stone, a professor of music at Oakland University.
He played a gyil, an instrument that resembles a xylophone and is common to the Gur-speaking populations in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ivory Coast in west Africa.
“It’s so important for medical professionals to have real awareness of the many diverse cultures they’re going to serve,” he said after the event. “As a musician, events like this help to demonstrate the oneness of humanity and the way we are all connected at a fundamental level.”
Following Stone were two spoken word performers, ReeNoun and Tèkèyah Hall (who goes by Rogue Hart), polish dancing by Genevieve Marcincavage and Stephanie Marcincavage, director, Clinical Skills Center, OUWB, and the Ngoma Za Amen Ra drum and dance troupe.
Chinelo ‘Chi’ Amen-Ra, percussionist, Ngoma Za Amen Ra, said “it couldn’t be more fitting” for his group to perform for the future physicians and OUWB faculty and staff.
“When we talk about music, dance, and song, it was one of the original forums for healing,” he said. “It’s definitely appropriate for us to be performing here at OUWB.”
Trixy Hall, coordinator, Graduate Programs and Community Outreach, was among the team that planned and hosted the finale.
“All month we took a different approach to teach the same lesson, the importance of diversity,” she said. “Each activity or program was designed to help break down misconceptions and encourage openness.”
“Today’s celebration was an opportunity for people to share their stories and appreciate diverse perspectives, in a collaborative setting,” she added.
M2 Rana Amoush was among those who joined in the dancing.
“It’s a great opportunity to bring everyone together,” she said. “OUWB is one of the most diverse environments I’ve ever been in and to get together and appreciate even more culture has been amazing.”
Muz Ahmed, M2, said he enjoyed seeing the different performances and seeing new things like the gyil played by Stone.
“We’re going to be seeing a lot of patients from different backgrounds so learning about different cultures is important,” he said. “It’s good to be exposed to different cultures like this…it was really gratifying.”
Emily Mazier, M2, was all smiles watching the performances.
“It’s so important to celebrate all of the different voices in our school and it really goes to show that OUWB truly does care about each and every individual at this school and puts effort into make sure that each voice feels heard here,” she said.
For more information, contact Andrew Dietderich, senior marketing specialist, OUWB, at [email protected].
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