RCC Diversity Programming Board Events

Diversity Programming Board Events

Special Events | Courageous Conversations | Past Events

COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS
from Education to Action

No matter where you are in your knowledge and journey, we hope that you will join us to learn about the history of racism in Oregon, white privilege, institutional racism, and other important and related topics.

These free events are open to all students, staff, and the public.
All are welcome and encouraged to join this conversation.
For more information please contact [email protected].

Special Events

Denim Day Event for Sexual Assault Awareness

Denim Day 2026

What does a healthy relationship look like in 2026? Let’s talk about it! April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and prevention is a crucial part of making our world safer for all! Stop by and meet our Community Works campus advocate to learn more. Dress in denim or wear teal to increase awareness and enter the drawing to win a Birdie personal alarm!

Wednesday, April 29, 2026
1 - 4 p.m.
Riverside Campus (RVC), Medford
Higher Ed Center Lobby

For more information contact: Lucia Bartscher, [email protected], 541-965-7124.

DPB Common Read 2025-2026

RCC’s Diversity Programming Board is sponsoring a common read of "The Undocumented Americans" by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, a gritty and revealing perspective of immigrant life in the U.S., and what it means to be American.

About the Author: Karla Cornejo Villavicencio is a journalist and the author of the National Book Award finalist "The Undocumented Americans." She is one of the first undocumented immigrants to graduate from Harvard University, and is pursuing a doctorate at Yale. Her work focuses on race, culture, immigration and mental health, and has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Vogue, Elle, Interview and on NPR.

For more information contact: Lucia Bartscher, [email protected], 541-965-7124.

Past Events

The Land Back Movement

Join our esteemed panelists for an intergenerational conversation exploring themes of cultural heritage, land stewardship, and tribal sovereignty, as well as the different ways Land Back is happening now all around us.

Guest Speakers: David West, Stasie Maxwell, Perry Chocktoot, Jesse L. Jackson, and Alyssa Lake.

This event is free and open to all students, staff and the public. All are welcome and encouraged to join the conversation.

Friday, April 3rd, 2026
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting.

For questions, please contact Lucia Bartscher at [email protected] 541-956-7124.

Becoming a Sunrise Community

Join us for a conversation with the Grants Pass Remembrance team to learn more about our community's history as a Sundown Town, and their mission of reconciliation as we move toward becoming a Sunrise Community — a place where all can feel safe, respected and welcome.

Guest Speakers: Gabi Johnsen and Constance Palaia

This event is free and open to all students, staff and the public. All are welcome and encouraged to join the conversation.

Friday, February 27, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting.

For questions, please contact Lucia Bartscher at 541-956-7124.

Beyond the Binary

Join us for a discussion on gender identity that goes beyond the binary. A panel of transgender and non-binary RCC students will answer questions about gender identity, pronouns and more.

This event is free and open to all students, staff and the public. All are welcome and encouraged to join the conversation.

Jan. 28, 2026
2:30 – 4 p.m.
This is a hybrid event.
Join us at Riverside Campus HEC-132 or on Zoom.

For questions, please contact Erika Giesen at 541-956-7089.

MLK Community Celebrations

We invite you to join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and other important civil rights leaders as we reflect on the 70th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. RCC's Diversity Programming Board is sponsoring and participating in the following events during the MLK holiday weekend:

Saturday, Jan. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grants Pass High School:

Community Gathering hosted by Grants Pass Remembrance: Creative Presentation and Community Fair

Monday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. at Newman United Methodist Church:

MLK Day Celebration: Inspiring Evening of Story and Song. Keynote speaker: Rev. Joseph Wallace-Williams Reception to follow sponsored by RCC

We hope to see you! For more information, please contact Lucia Bartscher (Chair, Diversity Programming Board): [email protected] or 541-956-7124.

an illustration of a rose on paperwork signifying the american dream

Who Is Worthy of the American Dream?

Tuesday, November 18, 2025
12 (noon)-1:00 p.m.

What does it mean to be American? How do we measure someone’s contribution to society? Join us for an engaging conversation based on themes from our common read book: "The Undocumented Americans," by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio. You do not have to read the book to attend this Zoom event. ALL are welcome to join the conversation!

Join Zoom Meeting