Next week the Cultural Diversity Board (CDB) will be hosting their first ever Mavclusion event for Colorado Mesa University’s campus. Normally, CDB’s only week long event is Unity Fest in April, but this year, the organization decided to put on a second event. The organization hopes that Mavclusion will help to retain minority students past both the fall and spring semesters.
“My thought, being the director this year, was that an event this semester would make them discover CDB before April when they are leaving,” CDB director Shelby Cerise said.
The hope with the Mavclusion event is to help bring all of the alliances into the light for all students on campus.
“Hopefully with Mavclusion we are highlighting each of the six alliances, as well as what we are about,” Cerise said.
The week begins on Monday with the BBQ and the taste of culture from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the plaza. This event is a staple of every CDB week. It includes the basic hamburgers and hotdogs, combined with six tastes of culture from each of the alliances.
Next up on the list is Taco Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the plaza. This event is being head by the Latino Student Alliance.
On Wednesday, it is Water Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the alumni quad. This event is being put together by the Ho’olokahi Polynesian Alliance.
On Thursday is Grocery Bingo from 5-8 p.m. in the west ballroom. This event is being put together by the international students. There will be a basket from each of the alliances available to win from each of the alliances.
Friday is Fry Bread Friday with the Native American Student Alliance. It is being held in the plaza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Also on Friday is Karaoke Night in the west ballroom from 6-9 p.m. This is being put together by the Black Student Alliance. They are planning to bring in a K-Jay for the event, as well as give out prizes throughout the night. Some of the categories will be crowd favorite and biggest laugh.
The week concludes on Saturday with a drag show from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the black box. Unlike all of the other events during the week, this one is not free however to students. For those who are over 21 years old with a Mavcard it costs $3, for those who are younger than 21 it will cost $4 and it is $5 for community members.
All of the proceeds that are going to be made from the drag show are going to be donated to a local organization called Transcend. Transcend is a local organization that welcomes any transgender person. The idea of giving back to the community is one that CDB hopes to be able to continue throughout the year.
“This year that is our main focus,” Cerise said. “We are trying to not sit on our cash and give it back in some capacity.”
For more information about CDB or Mavclusion, contact Shelby Cerise at spcerise@mavs.coloradomesa.edu.
