‘It’s On Us’ week features outreach events, keynote speaker ALOK

The Prevention, Outreach and Education Department, or POE, at MSU is hosting “It’s On Us,” a weeklong event led by students to bring awareness of gender-based violence during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

According to a press release, MSU’s “It’s On Us” mirrors the national initiative’s charge to stand up for and with survivors of sexual assault, accept accountability and take action to end sexual violence.

Events kick offed Monday, April 11 at 2 p.m. with a tie-dye and whiteboard campaign at The Rock on Farm Lane.

Monday evening, internationally acclaimed writer, performer and creator of #DeGenderFashion — a movement to degender the fashion and beauty industries — ALOK will deliver the keynote address during the “Unboxing Toxic Masculinity” event at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

The address will explore themes of trauma, belonging and the human condition. Those who are interested in participating should register.

“Teal Out Tuesday” was April 12. Members of the MSU community were encouraged to wear teal to show their support for survivors. That afternoon, “It’s On Us” tabling took place outside Wells Hall at 3 p.m.

To end the week, POE will host a trivia night Wednesday, April 13 at 6 p.m. in the Akers Hall Auditorium, room 137.

MSU’s ANDIE Lab hosts first DEI virtual conference

On April 7, Michigan State University’s Accountability, Non-Discrimination, Inclusion in Employment, or known as ANDIE, the lab kicked off its Leadership Accountability in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Virtual Conference.

The event hosted a variety of speakers and panels, all focused on discussion forwarding DEI progress in the workplace.

Headlining the two day conference were keynote speakers astrophysicist and cosmologist Hakeem Oluseyi and Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Jenny Yang.

Both speakers dove into how DEI has helped their lives and careers, and the importance of the strategy today.

While the lab initially served as a place to conduct DEI-related research, it now also serves as an informative resource for the community regarding such issues.

Hall walked the audience through some of their current initiatives, such as analyzing hair discrimination and understanding police perspectives on accountability.

Aside from the individual speakers, the conference hosted five panels discussing topics such as DEI and STEM, women in DEI and allyship.

The message that rang out from all the panels was that while progress is being made in numerous DEI areas in workplaces across the United States, there is a lot more work to be done.

Nia Clouden selected as the NO. 12 pick in 2022 WNBA Draft, heads to the Connecticut Sun

Michigan State women’s basketball senior guard Nia Clouden was selected 12th overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun.

Clouden is the fifth Spartan in school history to be drafted by the WNBA.

Clouden said in a press conference following her selection “It’s incredible to be in such a small group of people. People I look up to and people I’ve been trying to be like since I came to Michigan State and landed in East Lansing. They’ve been really big role models of mine and to be in the same conversation as them is great honestly.”

Based on original reporting by Maddy Warren, Drew Goretzka and Sara Tidwell. Script by Shakyra Mabone.