Campus News

'I Am Who I Am' Diversity Convention Slated

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 25, 2015) — “It’s time to explore. It’s time to witness. It’s time to celebrate. There is beauty in being different. There is beauty in being you.”

These few words can be found on flyers promoting Thursday’s "I Am Who I Am" Diversity Convention, and they could not be more appropriate.

Though updated with a new name and a new format, the second annual diversity convention is slated 6-9 p.m. Thursday, March 26, in the Small Ballroom of the University of Kentucky Student Center.

Hosted by UK's "I Am" Diversity Movement, the convention will be a time for celebrating and exploring the many dimensions of diversity, as well as learning all about the "I Am" Diversity Movement.

The convention begins with a student fair at 6-6:30 p.m. to demonstrate the many UK organizations and programs that support diversity and inclusion. The program begins at 6:30 p.m., showcasing two of the movement's initiatives: “dialogue” through a community-led panel discussion on race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, culture and current events, and “self expression” through performances of different stories presented throughout the discussion. 

“We encourage those interested in attending to bring whatever questions they have that apply to those topics, to share their stories and insight on any of those topics, and to have an open mind to learn,” said Tonais Bayless, one of the event’s organizers. A native of Louisville, Bayless is a senior majoring in dietetics with a minor in theatre. She is also president of the “I AM…” Diversity Ambassadors.

"Not too many people understand diversity because they are quick to put it in a box, just like we are quick to put people in a box, not even realizing it,” said Bayless. “And then we wonder why people different from us get upset or hurt.

“It is not a good feeling when your passions, your thoughts, your life stories are shot down in front of you and you're left all alone picking up the pieces. I know the feeling because I have experienced it constantly throughout my life even with my family. That moment creates anger, tears, arguments, and fights because this cycle is embedded in our culture, and this cycle leaves us with no hope.

“But when my best friend encouraged me to join this movement in 2013, I saw how "I Am" Diversity Movement strives to plant hope within people again -- not the hope that people will stop neglecting others, because I don't believe you can change people.

“But I believe there is the hope of changing the way you see yourself. This hope to embrace yourself entirely, flaws and all, is a hope to carry within yourself, supporting you against those who try to put you in a box.

“This movement has two initiatives, dialogue and self-expression. Together, they helped me to see that yes, I am a proud, black woman; I am a young, single mother; I am a creative soul; I am strong-minded and stubborn and sensitive; I am Tonais Bayless and nobody else, and I am free to be me. And that gives me hope, strength and power. "