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
Latine Heritage Month
September 15th to October 15th is Latine Heritage Month! Latine Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
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 10:30am-11:30am. 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 first session on Ramsconnect.
Ella
Join Ela Mesa and Sairalina Montesino for an honest conversation about their journeys as immigrant, first-generation, career focused, college graduates embracing self love, mental wellness and navigating family acceptance as queer women. Make sure to register on Ramsconnect.
NBA Tip-Off Watch Party
Men’s Multicultural Collective is hosting an NBA Tip-Off Watch Party on Tuesday, October 18 at 7 PM in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. Join us as we celebrate the first game of the NBA regular season between the 76ers and the Celtics. This will be a great opportunity to connect with other Men of Color, enjoy food, and cheer on your favorite team - we look forward to seeing you there! 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.
Volunteer Opportunities
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!
Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity (whose goal is eliminating prejudice) is partnering with the academic fraternity Delta Epsilon Mu (whose goal is to provide an educational, informative place for students in the health field) to host a clean up this Friday (9/30) from 4-6pm on the Monroe Park campus. The meeting spot is at the Campus Plaza near the Ram Horns at the Commons. This event is open to general students, as well as student organizations. If interested, sign up using this google form. If you would like to learn more about Pi Lambda Phi, connect with them via Instagram or Ramsconnect.
Job Opportunities
Information Associate: Part-time Information Associates are part of the department of Access Services at James Branch Cabell Library. Access Services introduces VCU community members to library services, staff, and information resources that advance their academic success and research endeavors. We seek to educate patrons so that they may become sophisticated, independent library users and information consumers. We value an exceptional level of service excellence; building relationships with faculty, students, staff and community members; a diverse environment built on principles of diversity, equity, and justice; and making Cabell Library an accessible, friendly, welcoming atmosphere for study and learning. Click here to apply.
Tech Squad Coordinator: The Academic Technologies Department has an exciting new opportunity for a Tech Squad Coordinator to join the team! Roles include To directly manage and oversee our hourly and student staff known as the Tech Squad. Including recruitment, technical training, assigning tasks, quality control, reporting, and documentation. The main role will be to provide “Front Line” operational and technical support on the VCU Monroe Park and Medical Campus including but limited to, Multimedia systems and application support, as well as faculty and staff training. Click here to apply.
Facility and Fitness Equipment Maintenance Assistance: VCU Recreation & Well-being is hiring! Some tasks someone in this role would have is: responsible for assisting with daily facility and fitness equipment maintenance, light carpentry, minor electrical and plumbing work, grounds maintenance, & conducting facility maintenance inspections. Click here to apply.
Student Spotlight: Jason Tejeda Molina
Jason is a Junior from Harrisonburg majoring in Mass Communications with a Minor in Theater. When asked why he came to VCU he said: I really wanted to be around the arts. I wanted to meet people with eclectic personalities. I wanted to go to watch concerts and see more theater. I also heard they had a good Mass Communications program.
Jason is very involved at VCU, as he is Director of Recruitment For Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity, and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, LSA, and CULTURE.
Jason is driven to do diversity work: I want to make a change for my community. I want people that look like me to be able to get the proper opportunities to do well in life. Diversity is important to me because we need people that come from different backgrounds to be able to make choices for people like them and not people who can't relate to them. Diversity also just brings concepts and ideas that we can learn from each other to be less ignorant about the world. If we listen and learned from each other the world would be a much better place.
In his spare time, catch Jason singing, acting, running, playing tennis, and hiking.
The Campus Learning Center (CLC) provides quality academic support to all VCU undergraduates. From one-on-one tutoring, academic coaching and drop-in tutoring to supplemental instruction sessions, the CLC offers a variety of ways to help students do well in their classes and reach their academic goals. The CLC is located on the 1st floor of Hibbs Hall.
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) in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
The future is bright.
- Jair Lecky, Program Manager for Men of Color Initiatives
