Cards and Coffee gives students opportunity to converse and connect
Detroit junior Tierra Wright and Chigaco junior Lorenzo Aleman play "Phase 10" at "Cards and Coffee" in the Bovee University Center Sept. 24.
The day is somewhat mundane, like gray and chilly Mondays tend to be, but below the Bovee University Center, the sound of smooth jazz and the aroma of coffee floats through the halls.
Though the weather outside is bleak and rainy, the Center for Inclusion and Diversity's Cards and Coffee event is alive and abuzz.
“Cards and Coffee is basically a way for us to get together, hang out and let people know that the CID is here and that anyone can come in whenever,” said Tierra Wright, social programming intern and creator of the event. “We just want people to feel invited.”
The CID offers resources and programs for students ranging from Multicultural Academic Student Services to the Native American Program and LGBTQ Services, all with the goal of providing a safe space for learning and cultural enrichment.
“Our slogan this year is ‘you belong here.' We wanted to create a space where students of any color, any ethnicity or orientation can feel like they belong here,” said Elayashia Kendall , CID graduate assistant. “As a first generation college student myself, it’s really important to have resources that can help students be successful and give a sense of home, family and belonging. Without (this center), I feel like I would be lost.”
Cards and Coffee is a recurring event that aims to introduce students to the CID in a fun and welcoming way.
“When (Wright) came to me with this idea, I thought it would be perfect for the space. This space can be a bit professional, so a lot of people just walk by the glass windows,” Kendall said. “The CID just didn’t seem that inviting to them, so our goal is to show that this space is for students to use, watch TV, drink some coffee, play some cards and maybe have some intercultural dialogue.”
Cards and Coffee is a new event, but feedback has been positive.
“I walked in here during a Cards and Coffee session and I’ve been returning ever since,” said Chicago junior Lorenzo Aleman. “Besides having some coffee and treats, I just feel a lot more relaxed after coming here and playing card games with cool people.”
The next Cards and Coffee events will be held from 1-3 p.m., Oct. 1 and Oct. 29 in the U.C. Room 108.
“Coming to Mount Pleasant can be kind of rural for people from a different background, so it’s important to find a community, and (the CID) is the epicenter of inclusion and diversity,” Wright said. “(All around), it’s important for everyone to have a place of acceptance and family.”
