Diversity & Inclusion

The month of June is usually a time to celebrate significant events, milestones, and movements, specifically as they relate to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Some of these celebrations include Pride, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, and Juneteenth.  Pride month commemorates years of struggle for civil rights, the ongoing pursuit of equal justice, and the accomplishments of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and pansexual (LGBTQIAP+) community. The National Puerto Rican Day Parade celebrates Puerto Rican culture, heritage, arts, achievements, and legacy with music and dance. Additionally, the Juneteenth festival has been commemorated as a day to celebrate the abolishment of slavery and the Emancipation Proclamation in the United States. Celebrations typically include religious services, speeches, educational events, family gatherings, and festivals that emphasize education and the achievements of African Americans.

However, lesser-known achievements include Native American Citizenship Day, National Loving Day, Caribbean American Heritage Month and Race Unity Day. Native American Citizenship Day commemorates a day in 1924 when the U.S. Congress passed legislation recognizing the citizenship of Native Americans born in the United States. National Loving Day, celebrates the anniversary of the historic court decision honoring interracial marriage and Caribbean American Heritage Month, recognizes the significant contributions of Caribbean culture and history in the United States. Last, is Race Unity Day. This day raises awareness regarding the importance of racial harmony and understanding.

As we honor and celebrate these wonderful milestones, let us take a moment to reflect on what it took to implement such historic movements. Let us continue to push forward by living a life that embodies our Franciscan core values; focusing on cultivating a community that is committed to service, respect, integrity, and compassion. Let us not get weary in well doing, but let us remember that our struggles make us stronger, gives us hope, and help us see what can be accomplished when we unite and work together to cultivate change.

Let us never forget that inclusivity, and unity will help us prevail.

Only days after our own community experienced the evils of racism and violence, our nation yet again mourns the tragic loss of innocent lives at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

In moments as unimaginable as this, there are no words that can lessen the suffering, mitigate the tragedy, or “explain away” the problem. Instead, it is incumbent upon us all to look within and determine what we, individually and as a community, can and should do so that emails like these no longer need to be sent.

Let us all take a moment and honor those we have lost, by asking ourselves…

• How can I turn my frustration into advocacy?
• How can I turn my paralysis into action?
• How can I take even one step toward a safer and brighter tomorrow?

May we build a future free from violence. Our community yearns for it. Our nation needs it. Our children deserve it.

When our community returns in the Fall, we intend to honor and acknowledge these unspeakable tragedies with prayer and with action.

Dear Hilbert Community, 

As we grieve the tragedy that took place this past weekend, our thoughts remain focused on the victims, their families, and those who are impacted the most. 

As part of our Franciscan values, we remain committed to fostering the Franciscan spirit of hope, compassion, and service. Based on these values, we have a duty to care for one another and I hope that we recognize our call to action. 

Members of the Hilbert Community wishing to donate to the those affected by this tragedy may place donations in the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, located in Franciscan Hall starting on Tuesday, May 17^th.  We ask that you donate non-perishable items as well as toiletries. 

Additionally, graduates and their families joining us on campus for commencement activities may place donations in the designated area in the West Herr Atrium throughout the day on Friday, May 20^th. 

Below is a link to a document for Community Resources that includes a list of organizations that are directly supporting the neighborhood and families in need. Please know that our efforts to advocate and support this community will continue. Together we will remain steadfast in boldly promoting racial and social justice.

Community Resources

Dear Hilbert Community, 

It is with a heavy heart that I send this email. Saturday afternoon, the City of Buffalo experienced a devastating and horrific tragedy. A tragedy that was motivated by hate. I am overwhelmed with emotions. I am angry, sad, but most of all, I am heartbroken.

Yesterday, innocent people lost their lives simply because of the color of their skin and others lost their lives simply because of the space they occupied.  Let us be clear, this was a hate crime that inflicted our community. We are all shocked and deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and with the entire WNY community. As members of the Hilbert College community, we send our deepest condolences and prayers to every family affected by this tragedy.

Please continue to check on one another as we display and convey God’s love to all people.

Let us recognize our call to heal, to unite and to advocate for racial equity and let us also pray for a change of heart for all those who harbor within themselves hatred for others. 

Listed below are a few resources for those in need:

Hilbert College Student Counseling Center

Crisis Services 716-831-3434

Mass will be offered Tuesday at 11:00am in St. Clare Chapel for the victims and their families.

In addition, the following link is for a prayer service sponsored by Catholic Charities and scheduled for this Tuesday at 7pm Eastern time.

All are welcomed to attend. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7045696888  Meeting ID No. 704 569 6888 | By phone - +1 929 205 6099

Finally, I will be available this week, M - Th between 9:00am – 2:00pm to meet with students, faculty, and staff, who simply need to talk or need a listening ear.

As colleges and universities across the country remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., today let us take a moment and pause for thoughtful reflection. Even as we continue to witness our nation's discourse, let us be reminded that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a champion for justice. His courage challenged the morality of our nation. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. changed our county with his tireless work striving for justice and equality. Like, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we have work to do. We have a duty to care for one another and we recognize our call to action in efforts of transforming challenges, policies, tragedies, and acts of violence into peace. It is important that we continue to work together to create positive solutions that will continue to carry the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and cultivate change.  

On Veterans Day, we come together as a nation to honor the brave individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces. In honor of Veterans Day and to all veterans of all branches: Thank you for your sacrifice, your bravery, and thank you for your service. 

Every Veterans Day gives me pause to always remember the sacrifice veterans have made. Therefore, today, I ask you to take a moment and reflect on our nation’s veterans and to honor them in some way. Those of us here at Hilbert College would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to every veteran and current member of the military. We are grateful for all that you have done and are currently doing for us. Thank you for your selfless service and dedication to our country. 

To all those who have served, and those who continue to serve- Happy Veterans Day! 

Happy Juneteenth! Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Also known as Emancipation Day, Black Independence Day, or Jubilee Day; Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived with federal troops in Galveston, Texas, and issued an order informing the last enslaved people in Texas that they were free. This came more than two months after the end of the Civil War and 2½ years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves in the Southern states.

Juneteenth has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s and it celebrates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. This celebration is an important moment in our nation’s history and should be an annual point of reflection and recommitment to racial equality. Juneteenth is a time for reflection, rejoicing, assessment, and self-improvement. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. 

Let us use this time to reflect on our history, most recent events and let us continue to examine the ways we, the Hilbert College community can continue to work to eradicate racism in all its forms, together, as one. Let us continue to live by the Franciscan core values of our institution by cultivating a community that is inclusive, responsive, and supportive of all!

Today marks one year since the killing of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee onto his neck. This year has been a long and painful year. For far too long, communities of color continue to face insurmountable challenges that often leave us feeling hopeless, helpless, and defeated. As we continue to grapple with the hurt and pain regarding the mistreatment of African Americans, Asian- Americans, Native Americans and Anti-Semitic hate crimes that have heightened across the U.S., let us not become complacent. We cannot give into hopelessness or the idea that system reforms cannot be made. We must continue to focus on transformative solutions and remain diligent in confronting and correcting anti-racist systems until they respect the humanity and the inherent dignity in each of us. 

As part of our Franciscan tradition, we remain committed to fostering a spirit of hope, understanding and peace. Based on these values, we have a duty to care for one another and we recognize our call to transform challenges, tragedies, and acts of violence into peace. It is apparent now, more than ever, that we all have a role to play in reforming systems and cultivating change. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the department of Mission Integration & Campus Ministry are committed to cultivating and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus environment, ensuring that all students, faculty, and staff feel safe and welcomed on campus.  We remain committed to justice reform and providing opportunities that inspire and create positive change. This will be done by removing educational barriers and ensuring campus programs, policies and procedures foster a college-wide commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Beginning in the Fall, we are committed to reinstating a regularly occurring Cultural Climate Survey for students, establishing a process by which to evaluate our institutional policies for potential racial inequities, implementing an Implicit Bias Training module and hosting ongoing professional development for faculty and staff. We will continue to uplift, inspire, and celebrate all cultures and provide programs that shed light on the challenges faced by underrepresented communities while providing students a safe space to share the challenges they continue to face. Let us continue to work together to create positive solutions that will cultivate a change.