Students within the Department of Gender, Race and Identity’s colloquium class are hosting Visions of Change: A Community Kickback from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 28 at the Holland Project (140 Vesta Street).

Students, faculty and the community are encouraged to attend this family-friendly event to learn more about incredible local organizations and to celebrate Reno’s vibrant community.

“It is our intent to create a space for underserved and marginalized populations,” Ricardo Rubalcaba Paredes, student organizer from the GRI colloquium class, said. “Consequently, our event, Visions of Change, emerges as a practice of belonging. By partaking in this event, attending organizations, food vendors and community members agree to work towards building meaningful connections, transformational relationships and purposeful membership.”

This semester, students within the GRI colloquium class connected and exchanged knowledge with community organizations such as the Healing Waters Institute, Black Wallstreet, Holland Project and Soulful Seeds.

"Students have engaged with scholarship centered on community engagement, inclusivity, belonging, access and event planning,” Lydia Huerta, assistant professor of GRI, said. “As part of their learning process, students attended class in community spaces to learn about the work various organizations are doing in the broader Reno community.”

Taking what they have learned throughout the class, the GRI colloquium students designed and planned the last event of the 2022-23 series: Visions of Change.

“By recognizing and highlighting the work and contributions of local nonprofit organizations, local food vendors, and local musicians, Visions of Change is a step forward toward creating community visibility in Reno,” Angona Saha, student organizer from the GRI colloquium class, said.

“It is a day for the people of Reno to meet and exchange stories while enjoying live music and food,” Vasu Singh, student organizer from the GRI colloquium class, said. “Folks in Reno would be happy to know that the event is being held at an age-inclusive space, where we are supporting local vendors and nonprofits. Special care is taken to ensure childcare practices with art and craft activities, drag queen story hour, and more. We are also glad to announce that ASL interpreters will be a significantly helpful addition to the event.”

“This event is to appreciate and promote local community members here in Northern Nevada,” Dean Chelossi, student organizer from the GRI colloquium class, said. “We put this event together in hopes of sharing with others the same love we have for our community. This event will provide a space and platform for small businesses and organizations alike that may not always have the chance of getting exposure.”

In addition to Visions of Change, students in the GRI colloquium class will present posters about their experiences at the Wolf Pack Discoveries Research Symposium on May 2.

The GRI colloquium class and yearlong event series are funded by the American Council of Learned Societies and organized by GRI that address the broad theme of “Community-Based Knowledges and Visions for Racial, Health and Climate Justice.”