"How to Be a Better Ally", is a co-facilitated workshop series that focuses on various underrepresented and/or marginalized populations. The series aims to provide UMBC community members with the basic practices for allyship, specifically for the highlighted population.

For the Spring 2023 semester, the "How to Be a Better Ally" series has now expanded to include the following programs. These programs serve as a foundation for allyship under the intersectional identity areas. "How to Be a Better Ally" as a stand-alone program is a workshop to further participants' understanding of the targeted population. This workshop can be requested using the i3b workshop request link here.

FaithZone: Exploring Faith & Spirituality at UMBC

Thursday, February 23rd | 3:30 - 5:30pm

The Mosaic 2B23 The Commons

Monday, March 27th | 3:30 - 5:30pm

The Gathering Space 103 CWB

Join the conversation and exploration of religion, faith, and spirituality in this workshop at UMBC. This session will include a brief overview of the national landscape of religious practice and spirituality on college campuses, encourage storytelling and connection through the lived experience of participants, provide an opportunity to learn and discuss best practices, and introduce participants to resources and opportunities to engage further with this topic and the UMBC community.

Living into the Tension: Faith, Diversity, & Allyship

Wednesday, March 8^th | 4:00 – 5:00pm

The Mosaic 2B23 The Commons

In partnership with The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being, join the conversation and discuss the importance of being an ally during the intersections of race & ethnicity with religious & spiritual beliefs and identity. This workshop will further unpack the understanding of living at the intersections of religious, spiritual, and racial identities.

For further information and updates on our "How to Be a Better Ally" series, check our myUMBC page for additional information. 

Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion, & Belonging join in honoring, celebrating, and bringing awareness to our Black and African American community. We recognize the incredible impact and influence on our history and country while also celebrating the culture, families, love, and service of all Black and African American folks. 

Per the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the 2023 theme for Black History Month is "Black Resistance". 

For more information about ASALH and the 2023 Black History Month theme, click here. 

Officially and nationally recognized as of 1976, Black History Month honors these great contributions while acknowledging all that has happened both past and present to the Black and African American community. The lives, culture, joy, and impact of Black history can be seen within all of our spaces and this celebration is not confined to only February but in special tribute. 

Throughout the month of February, join in our UMBC community in celebrating with events and programs. 

Buymaye Dance Workshop

February 2nd, 7:00pm - 9:30pm | Retrievers Activity Center Room 130

Sponsored by: the African Students Association 

Black Excellence Gala 

February 11th, 7:00pm - 10:00pm | The Commons Skylight 

Sponsored by: the Africana Council, Association of Black Artists, African Students Association, Black Student Union, Black Men's Society, Caribbean Students Association, National Society of Black Engineers, and The Lambda Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta National Sorority, Inc. 

Continue to check back for updates on programs and events. 

To further connect with our Black and Africana student organizations please check out https://my.umbc.edu/. 

View on myUMBC »

Dear Community,

Please consider joining us for one of our upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics.

Clinic Dates and Locations

Please note that clinics will be held at the Harbor Hall Multipurpose Room. 

Wednesday, February 1, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday, February 2, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sign up for an appointment here.

Please bring your printed registration form, ID, health insurance card, and pharmacy benefit card, if you have one.

Volunteers Needed! If you can help, please sign up here.

Retriever Integrated Health is here to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us at 410-455-2542 for more information. 

Thank you for helping to keep our community healthy.

Vic Madrid

Medical Director, Retriever Integrated Health

This is a repost. Read the original post here.

National Wear Red Day®: Get #OurHearts Pumping!

NIH led fitness class for heart health month
Friday, February 3, 2023 12 - 12:30 PM Online

Join us Friday, February 3 to get #OurHearts pumping!

Wear red and join The Heart Truth, the NIH Fitness Center, and NHLBI leaders for 25 minutes of heart-pumping activity! During this live event, Drs. Gary Gibbons, NHLBI director, and David Goff, director of NHLBI's Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, will join NIH Fitness Instructor Linda Bessacque and others around the country for a sampling of fun aerobic exercises including kickboxing, dance, and flowing stretches. All fitness levels are welcome to participate.
When it comes to physical activity, aim for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. This can reduce your risk for heart disease and your chances of developing other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and being overweight.

Join here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1327819681129086external link or https://videocast.nih.gov
This is a repost. Read the original event post here.

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Sex in the Dark

Welcome Back Retrievers!

Please join us for the i3b welcome back Game Night on Wednesday, February 1st from 5:00-7:00pm in the SportsZone in the Commons. Come for games, snacks, and to learn about our work on campus!

Also, we are excited to welcome you all back to campus and to i3b's identity-based spaces across campus: The Mosaic Center for Cultural Diversity, The Pride Center, and The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being. Below you will find the operational hours of these spaces. *Please note that space hours might shift based on staff availability and event times*

The Mosaic Center for Cultural Diversity Hours

·      Mondays: 10:00am-6:00pm

·      Tuesdays:  10:00am-6:00pm

·      Wednesdays: 12:00pm-:800pm 

·      Thursdays: 10:00am-6:00pm 

·      Fridays:  10:00am-6:00pm

The Pride Center Hours

·      Mondays: 10:00am-7:30pm

·      Tuesdays:  10:00am-9:00pm

·      Wednesdays: 10:00am-7:00pm

·      Thursdays: 11:00am-9:00pm

·      Fridays:  10:00am-5:00pm

The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being Hours

·      Mondays: 8:00am-10:00pm

·      Tuesdays:  8:00am-10:00pm

·      Wednesdays: 8:00am-10:00pm

·      Thursdays: 8:00am-10:00pm

·      Fridays:  8:00am-10:00pm

Don't hesitate to reach out to i3b (i3b@umbc.edu) with questions.

Thanks,

i3b Staff Team