Events held during the past few days included intellectual discussions, workshops, lectures, and other cultural activities intended to foster dialogue and build a more inclusive community at Colgate and beyond.

With the theme of "Race and Culture in the 21st Century," Colgate University Diversity Week, Sept. 15-19, will feature intellectual discussions, lectures, and cultural activities on campus as well as in the village of Hamilton, where a community festival will cap off the series of events.

"The goal of the inaugural Diversity Week is to recognize diversity initiatives on campus and create additional dialogue aimed at building a more inclusive community at Colgate and beyond," said Keenan Grenell, vice president and dean of diversity.

Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, will speak at Colgate on Thursday, Sept. 17, as part of the university's Diversity Week activities.

Steele's lecture, "Unity and Diversity: Common Ground in the 21st Century," will be at 4:15 p.m. in Memorial Chapel and is free and open to the public.

More than 35 alumni will visit campus this weekend to discuss ways that Colgate can continue to support diversity and build on its efforts to develop an inclusive community.

Students, faculty, and staff also will take part in the Community Summit, which opens Friday night with remarks by senior administrators, including President Rebecca Chopp and Dean of Diversity Keenan Grenell, and ends on Sunday with a networking session hosted by the Alumni of Color group.

To honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Colgate University is hosting a series of events on Monday. The campus-wide activities will feature readings of King's speeches and writings, discussions, workshops, and music.

At 7 p.m. in Colgate's Memorial Chapel, nationally renowned and award-winning artists Joe Hernandez-Kolski, Beau Sia, and Saul Williams will cap off the day's events with a spoken-word performance, a mix of poetic words, music, and hip-hop.