Unique Deac: Inclusion takes everyone to make it happen

Wake Forest students identify what makes them unique at the Unique Deac event sponsored by Athletics and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion on Manchester Plaza last fall.

The following is a guest post from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion – Diversity Education has launched #UniqueDeac at Wake Forest in celebration of its 10-year anniversary. The initiative is designed to provide the campus community with educational programming and events that help students, faculty and staff to see, understand and value the unique differences of our community.

“It’s not just a slogan or one program, it’s a platform that every Deacon can embrace to share their unique story and celebrate others’,” said Shannon Ashford, associate director of diversity education. “It’s about affirming the strength in our differences.”

In October, Diversity Education and Wake Forest Athletics hosted “#UniqueDeac Day” on the Mag Quad, inviting passersby to share an identity about themselves that influences their life perspective and how they contribute to the world. More than 200 Wake Foresters participated in the photo project. 

Photos and stories collected from #UniqueDeac Day will be on display in the Benson Center Rotunda during the week of Martin Luther King Day, from Jan. 21-24.

This was the first collaborative event with a campus partner under the #UniqueDeac platform. Other Diversity Education sponsored #UniqueDeac programs include tailored workshops and a seven-week immersive intercultural competence development program. 

“The goal of this platform is to empower every member of our community to champion diversity and inclusion, and we invite other departments and campus organizations to join us in championing the message of #UniqueDeac,” said Ashford. 

Contact Shannon Ashford at ashforsk@wfu.edu for more details and to partner with the initiative.