Programs and Events

In collaboration with members of the campus and greater Clemson communities, the Gantt Center offers co-curricular programs that build a complex understanding of diversity and social justice, while promoting the richness of diversity and inclusion. It allows for participants to explore multiple ways of knowing and unpack differences.

• Grill & Greet

  

  Grill & Greet is an event that aims to support the social integration and continuation of students into the Clemson and Gantt communities. Grill & Greet is one of our longest standing cultural events; however, in 2007, the inclusion of student tabling and performances took this program to new heights. Currently, numerous multicultural student organizations (including culturally-based fraternities and sororities) host tables to provide individuals the opportunity to learn about campus involvement and peer engagement. There will be free food and beverages, live music, and entertainment!

• Power of Perspective Panel Series

  The Gantt Multicultural Center has partnered with the Department of Campus Achievement and Student Empowerment to create a multi-part series that will aim to explore systemic oppression and subsequent inequities in our nation’s history. These sessions will tap into the knowledge and expertise of Clemson faculty members, exploring topics like education, policy, history, and law. Come to learn from the panelists' insights, ask questions, and glean lessons for action in addressing structural oppression.

  The next Power of Perspective panel will be held in Spring 2021 and cover the topic of interfaith foundations of the US. More information will be shared soon.

  Access the recording of the panel from July 9th, Independence Day: Land of the Free? here.

  Access the recording of the panel from July 30, Matter of Policy: Who has Influence? here.

  Access the recording of the panel from August 27, Education: The Great Equalizer? here.
  
  Access the recording of the panel from October 8, Redefining Rural America: What Stories are Hidden? here.

  Access the recording of the panel from October 27,  Electoral College and the Supreme Court: Shapers of a Nation? here.
  
  Contact Dr. Kendra Stewart-Tillman ( stewar5@clemson.edu) or DeOnte Brown at ( deonteb@clemson.edu) for more information.

• Indigenous People’s Day

  Over the past several years, researchers on Clemson’s campus have committed to identifying and uncovering the history of colonization and slavery directly connected to this campus. In an effort to honor tribal communities that inhabited this land, we recognize Indigenous People’s Day to decolonize the historical narratives, while building awareness about the importance of preserving Native American languages, culture, traditions, and identity.

  

  Supporting Native Students: Building Relationships with Native Nations

  October 12, 2020  from  12:30PM – 1:30PM via Zoom

  Register here :   http://bit.ly/IndigenousClemson

  Join for this virtual workshop experience! The current Tribal Liaison for the University of Wisconsin System, Dr. Pyawasay-Jennings, will offer insight on how universities can utilize policy to work with Native Nations to build institutional infrastructure to support Native students and create meaningful relationships with Native communities. 

  Dr. Pyawasay-Jennings joins us, again, for our annual Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. Dr. Pyawasay-Jennings  lives on the Bad River Reservation in Wisconsin, with her husband and two girls. She is an enrolled member of the Menominee Nation of Wisconsin and currently serves as the Tribal Liaison for the University of Wisconsin System and earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development from the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota, and both her M.S. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis and B.A. in Sociology/American Indian Studies from University of Wisconsin-Madison. As an educator and scholar-activist, her passion is to transform educational spaces to create a more just institution.

  Sponsored by the Gantt Multicultural Center. Contact Jerad Green at jeradg@clemson.edu for more information or accessibility needs.

  Learn more in the Newstand article. 

• Native American Heritage Month

  November is Native American Heritage Month and is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native/indigenous people.

  Native American Beadwork with Amanda McCoy
  Thursday, November 10 ^th at 6:00pm in Humanities Hall 352
  Amanda McCoy from Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutuals, Inc. will lead a workshop exploring the rich traditions of Native American beadwork. Students will have the chance to explore the use of colors and patterns to tell their own unique stories. Amanda is a self-taught beadwork artist from the Birdtown community of Cherokee, NC. As an artist, Amanda seeks ways to preserve the histories and cultures of Native people through her craft. Amanda’s beadwork has won ribbons at the Cherokee Fall Festival and she was honored to bead gavels for the National Native American Bar Association.

  Indigenous Storytelling with Lowery Begay
  Wednesday, November 30 ^th at 7:00pm in the Watt Family Innovation Center Auditorium
  Join the Gantt Center in welcoming Lowery Begay. Begay is a member of the Navajo tribe and is an internationally known Native American dancer, artist, and musician. Begay will join us to share the rich histories and cultures of the Native people through the art of storytelling.

  Contact Victoria Smith at vesmith with questions.

• Women's Celebration Month

  

  Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. In celebration of Women’s History Month 2022 Clemson University is hosting a series of events and activities throughout the month of March.

  Women’s Celebration Month activities will occur over Zoom (pre-registration may be required) or in person (Clemson’s COVID-19 policy will be implemented). The programs are listed below, and we encourage the campus and local community participation. Please reach out to co-chairs  Robert Bryant and  Kim Carter  with any questions.

  Women's Celebration Month Activites
• Donning of the Kente

  2023 Donning of the Kente
  May 10, 2023 | 3 p.m. Madren Center Ballrooms
  

  Donning of the Kente is a multicultural celebration of graduates designed to celebrate the accomplishments of students who have contributed to enhancing diversity and inclusion at Clemson University.  The ceremony recognizes the academic, professional, and personal achievements of graduates as they transition into their post-collegiate lives. Rooted in African tradition, Donning of the Kente encourages students to identify a mentor who will present them with a Kente stole. The stole is a symbol of prestige and an official rite of passage. This ceremony is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who will be graduating May, August, or December of 2023. In order to receive the Gantt Stole, you will need to sign up to participate and attend the Donning of the Kente Ceremony. (Space is currently limited to the first 145 participating students). Please sign-up here by Friday, April 28. If you have any questions, contact Rebecca Harkless at rharkle@clemson.edu.   

• Moving Forward: Student Leadership Retreat

  Moving Forward: Student Leadership Retreat has been designed to help our scholars build capacity for making change on campus and beyond. The purpose of Elevate is to foster brave spaces for undergraduate scholars, across various social identities, to explore topics of values, power, and social change and how they manifest in our daily experiences. Through a “why, how, what” framework – scholars will better understand how to positively enhance our campus community and greater society.

  Specific information for this year's Moving Forward will be shared once it is updated.
  

• The Art of Multicultural Leadership

  The Art of Multicultural Leadership Retreat is designed to engage student leaders in critical and thought provoking methods to leading cultural and diverse student organizations through team building, active engagement with staff, and leadership development. Students can expect to learn the value of their roles as leaders in their organizations and how they can be effective in their planning processes while learning to work across differences.

  Staff members and advisers will be active in facilitating activities that allow students to reflect on their own values, strengths, and areas for improvement as leaders. Campus partners will give students valuable resources to help them make a lasting impact on the campus community. After this experience, student leaders will be equipped with knowledge of their roles and how they function, as well as how they can work to support the mission, goals and values of their organizations. Specifically, students will be able to use all of these leadership skills to impact the campus community.

  Registration Information Coming Soon.