On Tuesday, September 27th, 2022, Stockton students, faculty, and staff gathered in the Campus Center Event Room for a Student Multicultural Brunch that was organized by Dianne Stalling, Assistant Director of the Office of Student Development. Over 150 people attended the event, which served as a kick-off for Stockton’s multicultural month and a celebration of Stockton’s diverse and inclusive community. The brunch is an annual event at Stockton that has been present for about 20 years.

Flags of different countries were hung on the walls of the event room and hand flags were placed in the centers of the round tables to symbolize the diversity of Stockton. Tahera Brown thrilled the audience with her melodious voice as she sang to kick off the event.

Alicia Jenkins, a student senator, shared her multicultural experience at Stockton at the brunch. As part of her presentation, she played a 2-minute video clip showing how diverse the university community is while highlighting how individuals from different cultures, races, and ethnicities are represented at Stockton.

The keynote speaker Dr. Ashlee Roberts, Executive Director of Student Affairs Planning and Operations was introduced by Brianna Bracey, the Student Senate President. Roberts started by conveying her appreciation for the efforts of the Office of Student Development in the planning and execution of the brunch, which she referred to as “an avenue to celebrate diversity.”

She stated that the diverse community at Stockton makes individual student experiences worthwhile. She also stated that the brunch represents the idea that students should “act with expectancy.” Dr. Roberts also spoke briefly about the Multicultural Center that is to be opened in February 2023. She described the center as a “small space to host initiatives that involve diversity, inclusion, and social justice education.”

Representatives from two student organizations, Queer/Trans People of Color Society (QTPOCS) and the Caribbean Student Association spoke to encourage students to get involved in initiatives that celebrate diversity and inclusion. Lysnnsey Raphael, the Vice president of CSA said that her goal is to ensure the club continues even after she graduates. Mo Keane, the public relations chair of QTPOCS and a Criminal Justice major said that “we [QTPOCS] wanted a space where people can come together and be themselves without compromising parts of their identity.”

Criminal Justice Professor Dr. Janice Joseph gave the event’s closing remarks, describing the kickoff brunch as an event that waxes stronger yearly.