KINGSTON, R.I. – Jan. 15, 2025 – The University of Rhode Island’s Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) is ready to welcome students back for the spring 2025 semester, beginning with the University’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Luncheon on Jan. 29 in the MSSC Hardge Forum, Multicultural Student Services Center, 12 to 2 p.m.

This year’s keynote speaker is Rev. J. Timothy Quainoo ’12, founder of URI’s multicultural student organization, Sankofa, one of the largest African diasporic organizations on campus. Lunch will be provided by Gee Gee’s Southern Cuisine.

Quainoo will discuss the legacy and teachings of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and how they can be viewed and applied today. The annual program honors King and brings together members of the URI community to foster conversation.

Before leaving New England, Rev. Quainoo previously led Hill City Church in Providence and worked with Rhode Island students through College Unbound. Now working in ministry in Florida, he continues to work with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Chicago and has led community efforts working with unhoused communities and families.

Quainoo brings a sharp-witted, comedic approach to his delivery, honed as a communications studies major at URI, double majoring with Africana studies. Following URI, he completed his master’s in theology at Anderson University School of Theology in Indiana.

The Quainoo name is well known at URI. Quainoo’s parents taught at the University for many years and his mother Vanessa was the founding chair of the University’s Africana Studies department. His brother Matthew is also a URI graduate.

The event will also recognize the winner of this year’s Peacemaker and Human Rights awards at URI. Mei Mei Long received last year’s URI Chaplains Peacemaker Award, and faculty member Clarisa Carubin the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies 2024 Human Rights Award, recognizing their work promoting peace and nonviolence at URI and beyond.

This year’s Unity Luncheon is open to all, but seating is limited, with priority given to students. A livestream of the event will also be archived at the Multicultural Student Services Center’s YouTube page.

Such events are a great way to connect with one another and to find community at URI, says Bobby Britto-Oliveira, assistant director of URI’s Multicultural Student Services Center.

“I encourage new and returning students alike to attend one of our events this semester and to learn more about the range of multicultural student organizations, diverse Greek Life options, and other partnerships that celebrate social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at URI,” he says. “We are here to create space for our diverse communities at the University, offering students and community members a sense of belonging.”

Other upcoming spring events at the MSSC include:

Saturday, Jan. 25
Multicultural Organizations Student Leadership Retreat
MSSC Hardge Forum, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 28
Multicultural Student Services Center Open House
MSSC, 1 to 3 p.m.
The Multicultural Student Services Center will be hosting an Open House where the community is invited to meet the staff and scholars who occupy the center and to learn more about the events, programs, and other initiatives coming up this spring.

Tuesday, Feb. 4
The Link Up: BIPOC Student, Alumni, Faculty and Staff community gathering
MSSC Hardge Forum, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The Multicultural Student Services Center collaborates with URI’s Alumni of Color Network, Talent Development, and Alumni of Color Student Leaders for a meet and greet each semester at the Multicultural Student Services Center.

Wednesday, Feb. 12
B.U.I.L.D. (Building Unity & Inspired Leaders of the Diaspora)
Memorial Union Ballroom, 4 to 6 p.m.
This is the fourth annual B.U.I.L.D. event, an opportunity for casual, organic conversations between scholars and visiting professionals of color.

Thursday, February 20
The History of Soul Food
MSSC Hardge Forum, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 24
Who was Malcolm X? Community Workshop
MSSC Hardge Forum, 5 to 7 p.m.
This workshop aims to reclaim the life and legacy of Malcolm X. This interactive event will explore the truth about who Malcolm X was, dispel myths, and provide space for participants to reflect. This event is being led by Diversity Dialogues in collaboration with the MSSC.

Thursday, March 6
Herstory Open Mic
MSSC Hardge Forum, 7 to 9 p.m.
The MSSC kicks off Women’s History Month with an open mic honoring, celebrating and empowering women in the URI community, featuring alumna Sara Monteiro (Simply Sara) ’08 of Outspoken.

Thursday, March 20
Unchained Voices: A Panel on Women Empowerment for Women’s History Month
MSSC Hardge Forum, 12 to 2 p.m.
This event is offered in conjunction with URI’s Women’s Center featuring alumni Karoline Oliveira, Michelle Rosa-Martins, Chanda Womack, and Karla Vigil.

Tuesday, March 25
Alumni of Color Network Panel
Memorial Union Ballroom, 5 p.m.

Friday, April 25
MSSC/MUSIC Graduation Celebration
Memorial Union Ballroom, 4 to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, April 30
Multi-Org Final Exam Study Sesh
MSSC Hardge Forum, 5 to 9 p.m.
URI’s Multicultural Student Services Center hosts a shared final exam study session celebrating the end of the spring semester.

Thursday, May 1
Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration
Memorial Union Ballroom, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Re-occuring events each semester include Chat & Chew biweekly on Thursdays, Jan. 30 through April 10; 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the MSSC Hardge Forum, and Global Connection on Thursday, Feb. 27, March 27 and April 24; 4 to 5 p.m. in the MSSC Hardge Forum.

For more information on this year’s MLK Unity Luncheon or other upcoming events at the Multicultural Student Services Center this semester, see https://urinvolved.uri.edu/, visit the MSSC page or follow @uri_mssc; any questions, contact Bobby Britto-Oliveira (robert_wayne83@uri.edu).