Bias Incident Support Services to Host 2nd Annual Facing Change Week

Note: This article contains a reference to UK's Bias Incident Response Team, which no longer exists. To report discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct, visit https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?UnivofKentucky&layout_id=30.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 3, 2019) — The University of Kentucky Bias Incident Support Services (BISS) is hosting the second annual Facing Change Week Monday, April 8, through Friday, April 12.

Facing Change Week will include activities aimed at inviting members of our community, regardless of their prior awareness of diversity issues or involvement in social justice, to connect with and participate in UK’s pillar of belonging and engagement, and the university's commitment to inclusive excellence.  Events will include workshops, intercultural conversations, guest speakers and community art projects.

Open to all students, staff and faculty, this year's Facing Change Week will host Feminista Jones, an intersectionality expert, award-winning blogger and author of "Reclaiming Our Space: How Black Feminists Are Changing the World From the Tweets to the Streets" and Wade Davis, former NFL player, corporate inclusion advisor and educator. 

"This week is important to UK as we continue to work towards a campus where all students, staff and faculty feel they belong and know that they matter to UK," said Carol Taylor-Shim, director of BISS. "Programs are centered on issues such as whiteness in higher education, toxic masculinity, activism, overcoming barriers related to identity, intersectional feminism and global social justice."

BISS exists to provide support and advocacy for any student, faculty or staff member impacted by bias, hatred and/or an act of identity-based violence. BISS also provides education, training and consultation services to any university area interested in working to cultivate a sense of belonging within their college, division, office or department.

BISS, along with a host of campus and community collaborators, believes that providing the campus community with opportunities for learning and intercultural dialogue aids in combating conscious and unconscious bias and marginalization and is critical to the commitment UK has made to cultivating a culture of belonging for everyone.

For a full list of scheduled events during Facing Change Week, visit the Facing Change Week website.