Niagara University’s Ostapenko Center Unites Local School Students to Discuss Race & Equality
Nearly 130 local middle and high school students were at Niagara University Thursday to tackle sensitive issues related to race and equality. The daylong conference was presented by the university’s Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equality, and Mission, which was established last fall to leverage change on causes associated with diversity, equality and social justice – both on campus and within the community.
Attendees took part in a series of 17 interactive and thought-provoking workshops that covered a gamut of topics, from stereotyping in the criminal justice system and social media’s role in social justice to the function that race plays in goal-setting and conversations on how participants can realize their full potential.
Much of the conference was coordinated by Niagara University social work and Ostapenko Center interns.