A Celebration for All of Us!
How lucky are world travelers
who experience cultures not their own,
but I have the world as my neighbors
and their lives have enriched my home.
--Lorraine DuRocher
Thank You, Lansing!
A Message from the 2009 Event Committee Co-Chairs:
Todd Cook & Linda Sims
More than 30 community groups filled the Don Johnson Field House at Eastern High School on Saturday, April 18, 2009. There was a busy and interesting exhibit space showcasing regional heritage and service groups. Entertainment from a spectrum of cultural traditions kept everyone smiling, some inspired to dance and sing with the performers.
Mayor Virg Bernero and Lansing School District Superintendent T.C. Wallace greeted participants and shared in the food and entertainment at the event.
This year's youth art activity space was very popular. Special thanks to Walmart for donating art supplies. Walmart employees helped run the creativity table for kids, which helped out tremendously.
We had seven food vendors providing free samples of world cuisine. Thank you Kroger for the donated fresh fruit. We also thank Sigma Gamma Rho sorority service volunteers who delivered and distributed the Kroger fruit.
Diversity Day 2009 offered a great entertainment lineup, interesting and lively community exhibit tables, delicious food and hands-on activities for youth.
Thank you to all of the dedicated members of the Diversity Day Planning Committee for your many hours of time in the past several months to plan and stage the festival.
We appreciate the hard work of Lansing School District staff who helped ensure that the Field House was set up to accommodate entertainers, exhibitors and food providers. LEPFA staff made sure we were able to offer the public a safe, festive and comfortable celebration.
Our sponsors have helped us keep the annual diversity celebration sustainable. Friends of Diversity really came through with financial commitment and public support.
2009 celebration represented our community well, offering something for everyone. Thank you all for making the 4th Annual Diversity Day a fun family event that shines a light on our diverse community.
About Diversity Day
2009 featured over 30 exhibits as the community turned out to celebrate the rich multicultural heritage of our city.
There is lots of excitement at Diversity Day, with food samples, music, dancing, exhibits, fun crafts, and displays. This is a great event
to meet people, play, and learn-- all in one space.
People have fun at the annual celebration!
As many as 500 new arrivals from around the world settle in Lansing. This makes our community among the top 10 cities in the nation for global refugee resettlement.
Mid-Michigan regionally gains
13,000 international immigrants, representing 20 ethnic or national groups each year.
Looking to the Future
The Lansing School District has students from 64 different countries around the world. All together, 45 languages are spoken by Lansing students and their families!
The art exhibit features submissions drawn from the creativity and perspectives of area students, K-12. Their artwork illustrates the theme,“Strength in Diversity.”
The students are inspired by family heritage, special mentors and the positive influence of role models drawn from history and their everyday lives.
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