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) TOMORROW from 12pm-1pm. Lunch will be provided! Make sure to register on RamsConnect!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Join OMSA 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!
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.
VCU Women's Basketball Game: VCU vs. William & Mary
Join other Men of Color as we travel to the Siegel Center to cheer on our Lady Rams as they take on William & Mary! Meet in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs @5:30pm to walk over. The first 5 Men of Color that arrive will get a free OMSA beanie. Make sure to bring your VCU ID to get entry to the game. Don't forget to register here on RamsConnect.
Student Spotlight: Jason Malone-Lucas
Jason is a senior at VCU from Richmond, VA getting his degree in History.
When asked why he came to VCU he said: It was both close enough to home and offered programs that will help me graduate sooner. This year Jason is looking forward to a new beginning, where he can be more social and experience as much as he can before graduation.
Jason also enjoys doing work related to diversity: What draws my attention to work relating to diversity is that I am able to network with those around me and learn things about my peers instead of seeing things in a "black and white" perspective. Jason has been able to take advantage of some of the opportunities being offered by Men's Multicultural Collective: I like that I am able to connect with others on topics about men in society and how we can either make a change within ourselves or help and understand each other. In a way, our reading sessions on the book "The Will to Change" by bell hooks provided answers to questions I have had since I was younger, and as we talk about what is shared in each chapter read, it helps us gain a better perspective on what goes on in or around our lives.
In his spare time, Jason enjoys reading, gaming, hiking/running, 3D printing.
If you see Jason around, make sure to say hi!
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, 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. 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.
Mailroom Assistant: Mailroom assistant job responsibilities include: making mail deliveries to various VCU Libraries departments, making daily mail deliveries between Cabell Library on the Monroe Park campus and the Health Sciences Library on the MCV campus, shipping and receiving books and other materials, and more. Applicants must have a valid Virginia driver's license, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Click here to apply.
Simulation Assistant: The Center for Human Simulation and Patient Safety is looking for Simulation Assistants. This is a part-time, hourly, as needed, position and individuals will be assigned for medical simulation events, based on business need. Event hours typically range from early morning to later evening. Individuals will need to have flexible availability and will need to be comfortable with having medical ultrasounds performed and physical examinations performed on their body by our medical students, residents, fellows and faculty members. This position will also include assisting our operations, technical and educational staff with event timing, student transitions, equipment set up/strike down, and general administrative work. Click here to apply.
VCUarts Facilities Technician: The Facilities Technician will be responsible for supporting the implementation of a wide variety of projects, across a number of functional areas, related to the physical working environment of the School of the Arts’ many buildings and facilities. This will include building maintenance, facilities support, space assignments, fixed asset/property management, key control manager, preventive maintenance, renovation support, equipment repair, and serving as a liaison with VCU Facilities Management. This position will report to the Director of Operations. Click here to apply.
Campus Resource Highlight: Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA)
The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) celebrates diversity,
promotes inclusion, and advocates for social justice. OMSA serves as a resource for the entire VCU community, while providing specific programming, engagement, and support resources for historically underrepresented and minoritized groups. OMSA empowers, affirms, and educates students by implementing programming focused on community-building, student wellbeing, promoting inter- and intra-cultural discussions, and collaborating with internal and external partners for inclusive, co-curricular engagement. OMSA is located in the University Student Commons on the 2nd floor in suite 215.
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. 
