Hello Men of Color (MOC)! Welcome to MANuevering VCU, the official newsletter of Men's Multicultural Collective (MMC) 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.
Lunch n Learn, Queer Concepts 101: An Experience for Men of Color
Come learn about LGBTQIA+ concepts, ask questions, and discuss how gender norms, homophobia, & transphobia impact Men of Color (MOC). This event is open to MOC in the queer community, and MOC that do not identify as queer. Join us in the Rams Lounge (bottom floor of the University Student Commons) Thursday, October 27th. Lunch will be provided! Make sure to register on RamsConnect!
Sickening! A Queer Halloween Affair
Join the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (and additional sponsors) for an all-out party at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU to celebrate the end of LGBTQIA+ History Month. The event will have drag performers, a costume contest (with BIG prizes for the students with the top 3 costumes), a DJ, photo booth, rainbow cupcakes, and a raffle at the end of the night! This is open to all LGBTQIA+ students at VCU. If you have any questions, feel free to email Beck Oh (omsalgbtqia@vcu.edu). Make sure to register on RamsConnect.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Join The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs for a maddeningly fun night in the Grace Street Theatre with a screening of the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Rocky Horror is truly an audience-participation movie, as audience members dress up in costume, recite movie lines at the screen, and engage props at various times during the film. We see you shiver with antici…pation, so make sure your hee when VCU does the Time Warp!!! This film is rated R. Make sure to register on RamsConnect!
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.
Office of Multicultural Student Affairs' Cultural Achievement Ceremony Registration - OPEN UNTIL 10/31
What is the Cultural Achievement Ceremony (CAC)?
The December CAC is for underrepresented students graduating in the fall of 2022 (undergraduate, graduate, professional students). It's a way of celebrating your academic achievement, while being in a room full of people who have similar life experiences.
What do I get by attending the CAC?
Participating students get a special graduation stole for each CAC category they sign up for. For example, Black students may sign up to receive a Donning of the Kente stole and LGBTQIA+ students may sign up to receive the Lavender Graduation cord.
We will have a professional photographer taking photos throughout the event, and those photos will be shared afterward. Students get to bring 3 guests, including 1 "donner," who will walk the stage with them.
If interested in taking part in the ceremony, make sure to register by Monday, October 31st! Email omsa@vcu.edu with any questions.
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.
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.
Communications and Administrative Assistant: The Humanities Research Center in the College of Humanities and Sciences invites applicants to apply for an opportunity to join the team as a Communications and Administrative Assistant. This position will take an active role in developing and implementing communications strategies for the Humanities Research Center and in providing day-to-day administrative needs. They will work closely with the Director and Associate Director on clerical and administrative tasks such as coordinating travel, payments and reimbursements, helping with event and meeting logistics, and occasional supervision of graduate and undergraduate student interns or assistants. Click here to apply.
Special Event Attendant: VCU Parking and Transportation are looking for Special Events Attendants. Event duties include, but are not limited to collecting and maintaining cash at assigned deck location, providing traffic control and safety patrols at the assigned deck location, and providing uniform interpretation and enforcement of parking regulations. Click here to apply.
VCU Campus Learning Center Peer Tutor or Supplemental Instruction Leader: Tutors and Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leaders are an important part of the Campus Learning Center team. These student employees work within their area of academic expertise to assist students with course content, study skills, and other learning strategies. Candidates for this position must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered: 3.2 cumulative GPA or higher, currently be enrolled in at least their second semester at VCU, enrolled in at least 6 undergraduate or 4.5 graduate credits at VCU while employed, commitment to working a full semester, attendance at orientation, available to work minimum 10 hours per week. Click here to apply.
Student Spotlight: Nonso Akunwafor
Nonso is a 1st year student from Richmond, VA getting his degree in Urban and Regional Studies, with a minor in Spanish. When asked why he came to VCU he said: I mainly chose VCU because they gave me the best financial aid, but other things that really attracted me to the school were its diversity and city feel. I wanted to be at a school where I got to meet people with different personalities and backgrounds. Also, VCU's location in a city means that there are always new things to discover. I've lived in Richmond all my life but coming to VCU allowed me to see the city through a different lens and discover new things about Richmond that I have never seen before.
Nonso also enjoys doing work related to diversity: I want to do work related to diversity because being in diverse environments teaches me more about various cultures and broadens my perspective. I also think that representation is important because having role models that come from similar backgrounds as you can better encourage you to pursue your dreams and help to reduce the imposter syndrome or alienation you may feel on the path to reaching your goals.
In his spare time, Nonso enjoys reading, exercising, drawing, and spending time outdoors.
Campus Resource Highlight: Dean of Students Office
The Dean of Students' (DOS) office offers support and resouces for students, faculty, parents, and community members who are concerned for a student's well-being. Students can also contact the Dean of Students office with questions and concerns regarding their own needs dealing with life situations that are imapcting their academic and personal success at VCU. The DOS office is located on the Monroe Park Campus at the Sitterding House (901 Floyd Ave), and on the MCV Campus at the Hunton Student Center on the 2nd floor (1110 East Broad Street). Visit their website to learn more about what they offer!
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. 
