Spring Break
Multicultural organization strives for empowerment
Erin Rickert
Issue date: 3/28/07 Section: News
One fairly new organization on campus, the Alliance of Empowerment, is making a difference by offering events that involve many underrepresented groups.
The AOE, started in 2006 by group president and junior Spanish major Fredrick Kendricks, says its main goal to help others.
"We wanted to contribute to the campus and get people to start thinking globally," Kendricks said.
The AOE is a multicultural organization that leads specialized events dealing with a range of issues, including women's issues, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues and minority issues. The group aims at participating in different events, not just limiting itself to one specific group of people.
Kendricks said he founded the AOE because he was unsatisfied with the amount of content on which existing groups on campus were focusing.
"A change of pace was needed," Kendricks said.
He also added that when forming the group, members tried not to make the organization stereotypical.
Brian Hayes, vice president of AOE and senior history major, said he also sees the group as a networking opportunity that will allow students to expand their horizons.
"It's also a group for those looking for groups (networks), and we want to educate students on the real world," Hayes said.
On April 12, the AOE will host "Heteroflexible Part II: Exploring Sexual Identities" as part of GLBT Week.
"This is the sequel to the AOE's initial 'Heteroflexible' program, where we will explore the ways for which we (homosexuals, heterosexuals, transgenders, etc.) who live variant lifestyles can co-exist," Kendricks said.
Another event that the AOE will host is "The Down-Playing of HIV/AIDS in the Minority Community." This event is part of Minority Health Month and will explore the different factors that contribute to the lack of knowledge and/or acknowledgement of HIV/AIDS in various minority communities.
For more information visit www.myspace.com/allianceofempowerment or check out AOE's group on Facebook.com. Meetings are every Monday at 5:45 p.m. in the University Union Board Room. Contact the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center at 309/298-2220 for any other questions regarding the AOE.
The AOE, started in 2006 by group president and junior Spanish major Fredrick Kendricks, says its main goal to help others.
"We wanted to contribute to the campus and get people to start thinking globally," Kendricks said.
The AOE is a multicultural organization that leads specialized events dealing with a range of issues, including women's issues, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues and minority issues. The group aims at participating in different events, not just limiting itself to one specific group of people.
Kendricks said he founded the AOE because he was unsatisfied with the amount of content on which existing groups on campus were focusing.
"A change of pace was needed," Kendricks said.
He also added that when forming the group, members tried not to make the organization stereotypical.
Brian Hayes, vice president of AOE and senior history major, said he also sees the group as a networking opportunity that will allow students to expand their horizons.
"It's also a group for those looking for groups (networks), and we want to educate students on the real world," Hayes said.
On April 12, the AOE will host "Heteroflexible Part II: Exploring Sexual Identities" as part of GLBT Week.
"This is the sequel to the AOE's initial 'Heteroflexible' program, where we will explore the ways for which we (homosexuals, heterosexuals, transgenders, etc.) who live variant lifestyles can co-exist," Kendricks said.
Another event that the AOE will host is "The Down-Playing of HIV/AIDS in the Minority Community." This event is part of Minority Health Month and will explore the different factors that contribute to the lack of knowledge and/or acknowledgement of HIV/AIDS in various minority communities.
For more information visit www.myspace.com/allianceofempowerment or check out AOE's group on Facebook.com. Meetings are every Monday at 5:45 p.m. in the University Union Board Room. Contact the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center at 309/298-2220 for any other questions regarding the AOE.
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