Newberry College will present their 2024 Dufford Diversity and Inclusion Week (DDIW) on the theme of “Celebrating our Diversities and Using Them to Make a Difference: Don’t Just Sit There. DO Something!” on October 21 – October 27, 2024. The series is designed to inspire appreciation for the multiplicities of humanity and bring people together on common ground. SC Humanities supported this programming with a Mini Grant.
Dufford Diversity & Inclusion Week began in 2013 with the vision and generosity of Dr. William “Bill” Dufford, class of 1949, who continues to sponsor the program. Dufford made history in 1969 as the school administrator responsible for integrating the Sumter County school system. As an educator, he has been a lifelong advocate for civil rights and quality education for all.
This year’s program will include the following events, all of which are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.
Monday, October 21 | 7:00 p.m.
Don’t Just Sit There, Do Something
Keynote address and Q&A with Jonathan Haupt, Director of the Pat Conroy Literary Center, and members of DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Youth Literary Organization)
Location: Center for Teacher Education, Gnann Conference Room, Newberry College, 2100 College St, Newberry, SC 29108
Join us for Dufford Diversity and Inclusion Week’s opening keynote address, Don’t Just Sit There, Do Something, delivered by Beaufort-based writer Jonathan Haupt and members of the Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization (DAYLO). Haupt is the executive director of the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literacy Center in Beaufort, South Carolina. He is the former director of the University of South Carolina Press, where he created the Story River Books fiction imprint with Pat Conroy, named by Garden & Gun magazine as one of “the top ten things to love about the South.” Haupt also serves as a mentor for DAYLO, a student-led bookclub and community literacy service group that fosters empathy and understanding through the power of story. DAYLO was established by Beaufort area high school students in 2021 and now has chapters across South Carolina. The organization was recognized in 2023 by the American Association of School Librarians for its defense of intellectual freedom and First Amendment rights.
Tuesday, October 22 | 6:00 p.m.
Literature for Life: Seeing our World Through Mirrors and Windows
A discussion on diversity in children’s literature with special guest Dr. Timothy B. Hunter
Location: Cathy Mitchell Children’s Library of the Center for Teacher Education, Newberry College, 2100 College St, Newberry, SC 29108
Celebrate the diversity of books in the Cathy Mitchell Children’s Library and honor local and Newberry College authors. Authors will discuss how children’s literature helps us view the world through windows and mirrors. Window books allow us to see others within the stories and events in the book with our lenses. Mirror books allow us to explore our own perspectives and see ourselves within the story with characters who are like us. This celebration will include a presentation by Newberry native, Dr. Timothy B. Hunter. Hunter graduated from Newberry High School in 1991 and received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Francis Marion University. He also received his master’s degree in administration from Cambridge College and completed his doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday Chapel with Special Guest Speaker Reverend Ken Nelson (’90)
Location: Wiles Chapel, Newberry College, 2100 College St, Newberry, SC 29108
The Rev. Ken Nelson ’90 is the Orangeburg District Superintendent for the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, and graduated from Newberry College in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, religion and philosophy. Nelson was ordained in 1995 following his 1993 graduation from Duke Divinity School with a Master of Divinity degree. In addition to Nelson’s work in local churches and on conference staff, he has served in many ways, including on the Duke Divinity School’s Board of Visitors; the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and district committees on ministry; the General Board of Church and Society, and as a delegate to five general conferences and four jurisdictional conferences.
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | 7:00 p.m.
Makin’ Cake with Dasha Kelly Hamilton
Collaborative event with the Newberry Opera House
Location: Newberry Opera House, 1201 McKibben St, Newberry, SC 29108
Tickets: Free for Newberry College students with ID, $10 for general admission
Dasha Kelly Hamilton describes herself as a “writer, performer, facilitator, mother, daughter, sister, builder, dreamer, phenomenon and change agent.” Therefore, it is no coincidence that she was named Wisconsin Poet Laureate and Milwaukee’s Artist of the Year in 2021. In her show, “Makin’ Cake,” she slices into American history exploring race, culture, and class in a refreshing and fun way. It is storytelling in layers and filled with aha moments and poignant vignettes, digital media, and a supporting cast of two on-stage bakers. The show serves up an experience and a conversation about equity in America. Part history lesson, part social science revelation, “Makin’ Cake” is a short story about America’s sweet tooth and pathway to salvation and leaves room for dessert and dialogue with a cake reception immediately following the performance.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 | All Day
Banned: Books on Fire
Location: Wessels Library, Newberry College, 2100 College St, Newberry, SC 29108
Stop by Wessels Library to view a display of books from the collection that have been banned, including explanations of why they were banned as well as details about Banned Books Week.
Friday, October 25, 2024 | 12:00 p.m.
Muller Center Table Talk
Location: Kaufmann Hall, Newberry College, 2100 College St, Newberry, SC 29108
Each month, students, faculty, and staff engage in the Muller Center’s lively table discussions on various topics and themes. This month’s table topic is “Don’t Just Sit There, Do Something.”
Sunday, October 27, 2024 | 6:00 p.m.
Beyond the Score: Celebrating Diversity in Music
Location: Wiles Chapel, Newberry College, 2100 College St, Newberry, SC 29108
This inaugural event features talented student performers showcasing works by composers from underrepresented backgrounds, such as LGBTQ+ composers and composers of color. Experience the rich diversity of musical expression and support our commitment to inclusivity and representation in the arts. Don’t miss this first event hosted by the Newberry College Music Society.
For more information about Dufford Diversity Week, visit the website at: https://www.newberry.edu//events/event/dufford-diversity-and-inclusion-week or call Dr. Peggy Winder at 803-924-9894.
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c)3 organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos, and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually. South Carolina Humanities receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as corporate, foundation and individual donors. The National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.
