Hello Men of Color (MOC)! Welcome to MANuevering VCU, the official newsletter of Men's Multicultural Collective (MMC), and VCU's only newsletter tailored specifically for Men of Color at VCU!
MMC is an office led group created to support ALL VCU students identifying as Men of Color (MOC). This includes Indigenous, Black/African American, Asian/Asian American, Pacific Islander, Latino, and Multiracial MOC. This also includes undergraduate, graduate, and professional MOC. MMC works to offer large scale programming, small group programming, 1 on 1 support, and community engagement opportunities. Click here to learn more about MMC.
Please read the entirety of this email to get plugged into events and resources for MOC. Additionally, please email me (leckyjj@vcu.edu) if there is anything you would like included in future editions of MANuevering VCU.
- Jair Lecky, Program Manager for Men of Color Initiatives
Upcoming Events
LGBTQIA+ History Month
October 1st to October 31st is LGBTQIA+ Month! In 1994, a coalition of education-based organizations in the United States designated October as LGBT History Month. In 1995, a resolution passed by the General Assembly of the National Education Association included LGBT History Month within a list of commemorative months.
Browse this linktree page to explore the diverse lineup of events being hosted by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, additional campus offices, student organizations, and the greater Richmond Community.
Book Reading Group
Men's Multicultural Collective (MMC) will be starting a book reading group for Men of Color (MOC). The book that we will be reading together is The Will To Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by bell hooks. This is an awesome opportunity for MOC to read a great book, dig deep into any messages that resonate with them, and connect with other MOC. The book reading group will meet weekly starting the week of 9/19. Two weekly sections will be offered: Monday's from 2pm-3pm and then Thursday's from 1pm-2pm (this is a new time change). Please register to the weekly section you can commit to, then a follow up message will be sent out regarding how to pick up your book. Make sure to register on Ramsconnect.
Crucial Conversations: Real Talk About Dating, Sex, and Relationships
In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. UCS Advocacy Services and Men's Multicultural Collective presents Crucial Conversations: Dating, Sex, and Relationships for Men of Color (MOC). The workshop series will be a safe space for Men of Color to engage in "real talk."
The workshops will be every Tuesday in October from 4:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. Register for the second session here on Ramsconnect.
S.P.A.R.K. Series: JP Brammer
OMSA invites you all to a guided discussion with American writer and artist, JP Brammer. JP Brammer is most known for his queer advice column “¡Hola Papi!”, originally published in Grindr's magazine Into and subsequently via Substack, and is the author of the memoir: “¡Hola Papi! How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons.” The guided discussion surrounding topics and themes from his book. Register here on Ramsconnect.
Meet Dr. Ansley Abraham, Director of the Southern Regional Education Board
Dr. Ansley Abraham, Director of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) is visiting VCU this week. The SREB provides scholarships and professional development support to PhD students attending universities in the southern region of the US (including VCU!). Dr. Abraham will speak about preparation as an undergrad student/post-bac for future study as a PhD student. Two current VCU PhD students will also be in attendance and talk about their educational journal and experience thus far in graduate school. The event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 6 at 10:00am-11:15am in the University Commons, SGA Chamber room located on the first floor.
You are also invited to come hear Dr. Abraham speak at 1:00 in the Richmond Salons, University Commons. Please feel free to attend whichever session fits your schedule on Thursday. This event has been organized by Dr. Jeff Wilson, Associate Dean VCU Graduate School, and is part of the VCU Graduate Education Week activities.
Wellness Corner
University Counseling Services (UCS) Support Groups
UCS offers support groups! Support groups are different from therapy groups in that their PRIMARY aim is to help you gain peer support and to build community with other students, particularly those who may share an identity you hold. Unlike our therapy groups, support group members are encouraged to build connections outside of the group. You do NOT have to complete an intake appointment or be an enrolled client at UCS to participate in these support groups.
Many of these groups are identity based. Select the group you'd like to join and complete the interest form. The group leader will contact you with guidance for the next steps to get started
Looking for additional support on campus? Let's Chat! provides ongoing opportunities for one-on-one support from a graduate assistant in the OMSA Office. Students can expect to receive guidance and mentorship on a variety of topics, such as self-care, current events, graduate school planning, study skills, and more! Appointments are required - interested students can register here.
Volunteer Opportunity
Men's Multicultural Collective (MMC) will be traveling to the Peter Paul Foundation Center every Tuesday from 4pm-5pm to volunteer. Peter Paul is a network of Promise Centers in the East End of Richmond. Each Promise Center offers a full array of services to fulfill Peter Paul’s purpose statement to Educate the Child, Engage the Family, and Empower the Community. Programs include a unique combination of out-of-school time programming for students, plus intentional family and community enrichment and engagement.
This volunteer opportunity requires 5 (2 spots remaining) CONSISTENT Men of Color that can be available every Tuesday this semester (excluding holiday breaks) from 4pm-5pm. A ride will be provided every week to and from the location (Peter Paul is located about 10 minutes away). Volunteering will consistent of working with young children from the ages of 7-10 as either:
Reading Buddy: Volunteers will meet 1 on 1 with a student and engage in reading, literacy activities, and games. Homework time may be included if appropriate.
Math Buddy: Volunteers will work 1 on 1 with a student, practice grade-appropriate math skills, and engage in remedial activities and games. Homework time may be included if appropriate.
This volunteer opportunity will begin the second week of October, if interested, email Jair Lecky (leckyjj@vcu.edu) ASAP for more details!
Leadership Opportunity
The 3rd Annual Leaders Unleashed Conference will be held virtually via Zoom on Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 10 am to 2pm.
Hosted by The Commons and the Office of Student Leadership and Engaged Learning, Leaders Unleashed is a gateway conference experience to help students discover inspiration through leading, and strengthen their development as leaders at VCU and beyond. This is a free event that is open to all students, regardless of leadership experience. Make sure to register on RamsConnect
Call for Student Presenters
Have an idea of how to ignite student leadership at VCU? Are you passionate about empowering your peers to take courageous action? We invite you to submit a conference session proposal for Leaders Unleashed. More information and the proposal form can be found here.
Evening Library Assistant: Evening Library Assistants will provide excellent customer service at the Health Sciences Library service desk, answer questions about library resources, policies, and general information, and check out library materials to users (among other tasks). Library work experience is required, click here to apply.
Lab & Research Assistant: VCU's Office of the Vice President for Research & Innovation and the Transgenic/Knockout Mouse Core (TGKO) at VCU/Massey Cancer Center invites candidates interested in research to apply for our Lab & Research Assistant position. The primary duty of the person holding this position will be to apply ear tags and collect tail snips for identification and genotyping of newly-weaned mouse pups, and may also include some weaning of litters. Coursework and laboratory experience or an Associate’s degree in the biological sciences is required, click here to apply.
Coordinator for Student Programming: University Student Commons & Activities is hiring for a Coordinator for Student Programming. The Coordinator for Student Programming is responsible for developing and administering programs and opportunities centered on student involvement, sense of belonging, and campus engagement. This position will advise and develop two programming boards (the Activities Programming Board for undergraduate students and the Graduate and Professional Student Programming Board for graduate/professional students) or help co-program large-scale events and initiatives with programming board. A Bachelor’s Degree in Higher Education Administration, Student College Personnel Counseling, or a related discipline or equivalent training and/or experience is required, click here to apply.
Campus Resource Highlight: Career Services
Career services supports students and recent alumni as they explore their interests and gain experience to reach their career goals. The Career Services team provides individual advising, as well as career resources and guides. They offer ways to search for jobs, internships, and other experiential and employment opportunities, as well as customized career events focused on skill-building, learning about industries and career paths, and networking with employers and alumni.
Stay/Get Connected
Hello Men of Color! I would love to hear more about your experience at VCU, any programming ideas you have, and how I can support you better. If you would like to connect, send me an email (leckyjj@vcu.edu) to set up a meeting. Also, I provide the option for in-person or virtual drop in hours weekly Monday's from 2pm-3pm & Wednesday's from 5pm-6pm. My office is location in the University Commons in suite 215 (right above the subway on the 2nd floor).
The future is bright.
- Jair Lecky, Program Manager for Men of Color Initiatives
The 3rd Annual Leaders Unleashed Conference will be held virtually via Zoom on Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 10 am to 2pm. 
