March on West
West campus cultural events As part of its commitment to raise awareness and appreciation of different cultures, the Office of Public Affairs at ASU’s West campus organizes five major cultural programs each year. Free and open to the public, these programs celebrate and promote diversity in the campus community.
MLK Speech and March on West Each year, dating back to 1991, the campus observes Martin Luther King Day with a reenactment of the 1963 March on Washington, including Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. More than 800 local middle school students are brought to the West campus for this special event. These students participate in educational sessions focusing on the civil rights movements during the 1960s and then gather to reenact the march, which culminates with a performance of Dr. King’s speech, delivered by ASU faculty member and Emmy Award-winning actor and director Charles St. Clair.
Black History Month Throughout the month of February, the West campus celebrates Black History Month with a series of events. Activities in 2012 included a conversation with renowned feminist social activist bell hooks that was attended by 300 people, a soul 48
food cooking contest with tasting, and screenings and discussion of the films, School Daze, The Help, and Waiting to Exhale.
Hispanic Heritage Month Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated September 15 - October 15 each year. Last academic year’s festivities included a Latin poetry jam, recital and workshop by Spanish guitar virtuoso Maestro Soler, and a night of dance featuring singer-songwriter Clarivel Santos, local Latino orchestra Orquesta Kaliente, and Puerto Rican dance troupe Grupo Folklorico I’naru that drew 130 people. In addition to these Hispanic Heritage Month events, the West campus observes Dia de los Muertos in November and Cinco de Mayo.
Veteran’s Day Traditional Pow Wow Each November, Arizona tribes gather for Veteran’s Day Weekend Traditional Pow Wow to honor Native American veterans. In addition to Native dance and drum performances, the event features Native arts and crafts, and food. This event, which is in partnership with the Native American Student Organization and the Glendale Community College Native American Student Association, draws 2,000 people.