Institutional Diversity-IDEAL

🌟 Join us for the Juneteenth Freedom Café: A Community Dialogue on Liberation, Faith, and Justice.

Inspired by the PBS documentary Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom, this interactive conversation will honor the significance of Juneteenth while exploring the enduring connections among liberation, faith, and the pursuit of justice. As the nation commemorates 250 years since its founding, participants will reflect on the promises of freedom, the role of faith communities in movements for liberation, and the ongoing work of creating a more just society.

Come engage in meaningful dialogue, build community, and reflect on what liberation means for us today.

🔗 Register on Zoom: tinyurl.com/IDEALFreedomcafe

🌈 Happy Pride Month from the Office of IDEAL!

This Pride Month, we celebrate the joy, resilience, and vibrant contributions of LGBTQIA+ communities at Temple and beyond.

Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of engaging with students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community partners through programs, conversations, and celebrations that affirm belonging and foster connection. We are grateful to everyone who has helped create spaces where LGBTQIA+ individuals can thrive, be seen, and be celebrated.

Whether you're a current student, incoming Owl, campus partner, or community member, thank you for being part of our ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable campus for all.

Throughout June, we’ll be sharing highlights and reflections from recent LGBTQIA+ events and initiatives. We invite you to join us in celebrating Pride and honoring the many voices, stories, and experiences that strengthen our community.

Happy Pride! 💖

Happy Jewish American Heritage Month ✡️

This May, we recognize the lasting contributions of Jewish Americans whose work has shaped industries, inspired communities, and pushed boundaries across generations.

🤸‍♀️ Aly Raisman: Olympic gold medalist and former U.S. team captain who not only excelled in gymnastics but also uses her platform to advocate for survivors and safe sport.

🦸‍♂️ Stan Lee: Legendary writer, editor, and producer who co-created some of the most recognizable superheroes in history, helping build Marvel into a global force in entertainment.

🎤 Daveed Diggs: Acclaimed actor, rapper, and songwriter known for his award-winning performance in Hamilton and his continued impact across the arts.

We celebrate their achievements and the many ways Jewish Americans continue to shape culture and community.

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 🎉

This May, we recognize the talents and contributions of 3 distinct figures who represent the diverse makings of AAPI identities.

🏄🏻‍♂️ Duke Kahanamoku (left): Native Hawaiian competition swimmer, lifeguard, and popularizer of the sport of surfing.

💄 Bretman Rock (center): Filipino American social media personality and beauty influencer based in Honolulu, Hawaii.

👩‍🚀 Kalpana Chawla (right): Indian American astronaut and aerospace engineer who was the first woman of Indian origin to fly to space.

📣 Temple Staff & Faculty: we’re excited to introduce the Belonging & Inclusion Certificate (BIC), a new non-credit program designed to support your growth in building more inclusive and welcoming spaces across campus.

Through a series of engaging workshops, you’ll gain practical tools to navigate diverse environments, deepen your understanding of identity and bias, and strengthen your role in fostering a culture of belonging at Temple.

Start with our first session:

Cultivating Belonging: Living in a Diverse World
🗓️ April 23, 2026
⏰ 10 AM - 11:30 AM
📍 Virtual (register through Bridge)

🔗 Explore the program + register here: https://diversity.temple.edu/bic

Let’s continue the work of making Temple a place where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.

Join us this month for our signature dialogues and the launch of an exciting new event 👀

🦉 Owls Talk | Copy, Paste, Erase: Appropriation of Arab Culture
From clothing to cuisine, Arab culture has been swept up by popular culture. But when does appreciation cross into appropriation? Let’s unpack the nuances, impacts, and what it means for identity and belonging.

🥪 Q***r Lunch | Who Gets to be Q***r?
Who gets centered, validated, or questioned in LGBTQ+ spaces? Through a q***r Arab American lens, we’ll explore how race, religion, culture, and presentation shape who “counts” as q***r, and what happens when you don’t.

🥘 Cookin’ with Culture (NEW!)
We’re launching our first-ever Cooking with Culture event! Join us for a hands-on class exploring dishes from diverse cultures. This April, we’re featuring Asian cuisine. Seating is limited and advance registration is required: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/pc9RK4arVG

🎉 Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month this April!

Gigi Hadid (left) is an American model of Palestinian heritage. Hadid is considered one of the standards of fashion modeling and has appeared on the cover of international Vogue over 35 times. With a career spanning 13 years, she has achieved much recognition in the fashion field.

Rashida Tlaib (center) is a Palestinian-American U.S. congresswoman, representing Michigan’s 12th congressional district. She co-founded “The Squad”, a progressive faction of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives.

Michael Ellis DeBakey (right) was an American cardiovascular surgeon of Lebanese heritage. With a career spanning nearly 8 decades, he pioneered several life-saving procedures and is considered the father of cardiovascular surgery.

Bias shows up in ways we don’t always expect, so what do we do when it does?

Join us on April 7 for an honest, community-centered conversation with Dr. Evelyn Carter on how to recognize, unpack, and interrupt racial bias in our everyday lives. Expect real talk, reflection, and practical tools you can carry with you beyond the room.

📚 Grab a copy of Was That Racist? How to Detect, Interrupt, and Unlearn Bias in Everyday Life
🖊️ Stay for a meet & greet + book signing

RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/IDEALCarter

Come curious. Leave more connected.

Join us in recognizing our upcoming graduates at the annual Lavender Ceremony!

Participants will receive a rainbow cord and certificate in recognition of their resilience and achievements at Temple!

For more details and registration links, visit our website: https://diversity.temple.edu/ceremonies

It's approaching the time to recognize our Graduates for their hard-earned achievements! 🎉

Rites of Passage will be taking place this year on May 5. To participate in the ceremony and receive a Kente stole, students can register through the link below!

🔗 Register here: https://diversity.temple.edu/ceremonies