22nd Annual Diversity Conference
“Creating Brave Spaces ”
MARCH 27, 2024
Our Theme
Creating Brave Spaces is designed to promote engagement in and make room for respectful yet challenging dialogue; brave spaces are where diversity of thought, and opinion can simultaneously co-exist in our community. The conference will focus on how we can create, foster, and sustain brave spaces throughout SUNY Brockport.
Keynote Speaker
Mrs. Kasha Davis
Mrs. Kasha Davis is a central figure in the Rochester, NY, drag scene with her husband Steve and Drag Sisters and their successful “Drag Me To Brunch” shows. MKD performs constantly with her one-woman show and as a featured performer across the country. MKD shares her coming out story, sobriety journey & jazzy performance
history sprinkled with her highly favored songs and “Dad jokes in a dress.” The stories are relatable, and performances intertwine forgiveness, determination, motivation, and self-acceptance for audiences of all ages.
In October 2023, Kasha was named one of Out magazine’s “Out100 for 2023”, recognizing her as an artist, trailblazer, and storyteller who is making a difference for the LGBTQIA+ community. MKD was also honored in November 2024 by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) New England Chapter, with their “Visibility” award for her work promoting “Drag Story Hour.”
MKD has written three children’s books drawing from his real-life experiences and plans to create more. The documentary “Workhorse Queen” can be found on Starz, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and VUDU. “Imagination Station” is MKD’s Live Story Hour for children of all ages. A 4-show pilot has been filmed and is coming to TV soon.
In 2024 MKD became an adjunct professor at SUNY Brockport for a full course on DRAG that will encompass history, theory, and performance.
Volunteer at the Conference
We are looking for faculty, staff, and students to help on the day of the conference. Please complete the online form if you are interested in participating. All volunteers receive a free t-shirt!
Accommodations
SUNY Brockport is fully committed to providing accessible events to all. If you need a disability-related accommodation, please contact us at (585) 395-2024 or diversityconference@brockport.edu. Requests should be made by March 21.
Schedule of Events
Please RSVP for each event you would like to attend. Locations for most of the sessions are not listed, but they will be posted and emailed to individuals that RSVP’ed prior to the event.
March 27, 2024, 9:30 - 10 a.m. | Seymour Union, Ballroom East
Diversity Conference: Welcome Remarks & Feldman LGBT Paper Award
This brief award ceremony publicly acknowledges the 2022-2023 Academic Year winners of the Douglas A. Feldman Paper Competition. Since its inception in 2014, this paper award has been celebrated annually at the Annual Diversity Conference.
March 27, 2024, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Seymour Union, Ballroom Lobby
Diversity Conference: “Diverse Leaders of Tomorrow”
This poster session, led by Brockport High School (BHS) students, will describe the work accomplished by the BHS Diversity Club.
March 27, 2024, 10:10 - 11 a.m. | Seymour Union, Room 209
Diversity Conference: “Creating a Brave Space: How Hard Can It Be?”
This program is designed to provide: (1) a balance of interactive dialogue that helps participants to define the aspects of a brave space (i.e., the workplace, classroom, or general climate), and (2) a menu of researched and proactive practices that can foster brave spaces.
March 27, 2024, 10:10 - 11:25 a.m. | Seymour Union, Room 119
This interactive session will highlight research supporting the effectiveness of prejudice confrontation and provide attendees with information about the barriers to confrontation. Attendees will then have an opportunity to practice identifying, and confronting instances of prejudice.
March 27, 2024, 10:10 - 11:25 a.m. | Seymour Union, Room 220
In this 75-minute presentation, participants will embark on a comprehensive exploration of the myriad of ways racially distressing or traumatizing content manifests online and its profound impact on the mental well-being of Black youth.
March 27, 2024, 10:10 - 11:25 a.m. | Seymour Union, Room 222
Diversity Conference: “Developing Restorative Champions on College Campuses”
In this workshop, participants will learn about a partnership between a community dispute resolution center and a local university diversity office, which uses a multi-year training and consultation model focused on developing a cadre of Restorative Champions who have been charged with leading the implementation of RP on campus.
March 27, 2024, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Seymour Union, Fireside Lounge
Diversity Conference: International Festival
We invite students, faculty, and staff to experience other cultures through the tastings of ethnic foods sponsored by Wegmans, music, and activities from around the world.
March 27, 2024, 1:30 - 2:20 p.m. | Seymour Union, Ballroom East
Diversity Conference: “Indigenous Health Disparities”
This panel discussion will focus on strategies to engage indigenous communities to support health outcomes.
March 27, 2024, 2:45 - 3:30 p.m. | Seymour Union, Room 228
Diversity Conference: “Building Inclusive Spaces Through Student Voice & Choice”
This session will describe how to break down power dynamics in the classroom and how to incorporate student voice and choice in college-level classes to encourage participation, inclusion, and engagement.
March 27, 2024, 2:45 - 3:30 p.m. | Seymour Union, Room 222
Diversity Conference: “Hosting Accessible Events: Considerations & Resources”
In creating an inclusive campus environment, we must host accessible events where the needs of all participants are valued and supported from the early planning stages. This presentation will focus on sharing the “Accessible Events Checklist” (developed by members of the SUNY Brockport Committee on Accessibility).
March 27, 2024, 2:45 - 4 p.m. | Seymour Union, Ballroom East
Diversity Conference: “How To Do Drag?”
Mrs. Kasha Davis will discuss what drew her to drag and how she sees drag in everyday life.
March 27, 2024, 4 - 4:45 p.m. | Seymour Union, Room B119
Diversity Conference: “The Fannie Barrier Williams Project”
In this roundtable, students will discuss their experiences developing public history research proposals and projects for the Fannie Barrier Williams Project, an inquiry into the life, times, and lasting historical significance of Fannie Barrier Williams.
March 27, 2024, 4 - 4:45 p.m. | Seymour Union, Room 222
Diversity Conference: “Black Students in White Spaces?”
Join this discussion about how one navigates predominantly white spaces while Black. The panel of students will share their experiences at Brockport as Black and/or bi-racial students.
March 27, 2024, 4 - 5:15 p.m. | Seymour Union, Ballroom East
Diversity Conference: “Creating Your Own Brand”
Prior to and after “Rupaul’s Drag Race” Season 7 my brand was “cocktails” with the catchphrase “There’s always time for a cocktail”. In sobriety and since All Stars 8 the shift has been to the intent and phrase “There’s always time for KINDNESS”.
March 27, 2024, 5:45 - 7 p.m. | Seymour Union, Ballroom East
Diversity Conference Keynote: “Drag is Not a Crime”
Mrs. Kasha Davis (MKD) draws upon her personal experience and life story to illustrate how drag has impacted her life, the Rochester community, and beyond.
March 27, 2024, 7 p.m. | Seymour Union, Fireside Lounge
Diversity Conference: Meet & Greet With Mrs. Kasha Davis
Come and meet with Mrs. Kasha Davis, an American drag queen, actor, and television personality, after her keynote.