Ventura, Calif. (April #, 2024) — Ventura College is delighted to announce the 2024 Diversity in Culture Festival April 10-11. This year's theme is returning to our roots with nature and highlighting Indigenous Culture worldwide. Ventura College invites everyone to rediscover the profound connections between nature, indigenous wisdom, and our identities.
A highlight of the festival will be an Author Talk webinar featuring Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass, April 10 at 1 p.m. This book is Ventura College’s One-Book One-Campus selection for the year. Kimmerer's work beautifully intertwines indigenous knowledge with ecological insights, offering a powerful perspective on how we can learn from nature to live more harmoniously on Earth. Registration for the webinar is required and attendees can sign up online.
Another highlight is the April 11 Poetry Slam at 1 p.m. on the Diversity Festival Main Stage. This year’s slam features special guest Joaquin Zihuatanejo and the theme “Our Roots of Belonging.” Ventura College students will share their voices and stories, echoing the deep connection between indigenous cultures and nature. Participants will compete for cash prizes, sponsored by our Associated Students of Ventura College.
In addition, the festival will feature wellness workshops, dance and music performances and presentations that celebrate indigenous culture and promote connection with nature. The community is invited to participate in these free events to learn traditional practices, engage with cultural performances, and explore ways to live in harmony with the natural world.
Parking will be free for Thursday’s in-person events. ASL interpreting will be available for all stage events, and additional disability accommodations can be requested 72 hours in advance by contacting Lisa Elsousou at 805-289-6577. The Diversity in Culture Festival is dedicated to promoting diversity in the community and is made possible through the support of our sponsors, Ventura Education Partnership, and the Ventura College Foundation.
For more information about the festival and a detailed schedule of events, visit the 2024 Diversity in Culture Events webpage or contact Gigi Fiumerodo at mtfiumerodo@vcccd.edu.