What does it mean to go home for a Cuban?\u00a0 For an African?\u00a0 For an American?<\/p>\n
The 17th REACH Across Dayton annual conference will explore that question and others on Feb. 26.<\/p>\n
The goal of REACH is \u201cto promote cross-cultural understanding and education\u201d between all ethnic communities in the Miami Valley, according to their mission document.\u00a0 Tess Little, the project coordinator for REACH, said the program was started to celebrate the similarities between people of different cultures.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was started to bring people together from different backgrounds and to talk about how we have more in common than we have differences,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The conference will feature artist Eduardo de Soignie as the keynote speaker.\u00a0 Soignie\u2019s address will focus on his experiences in Cuba and America and the duality of simultaneously being a part of both cultures.\u00a0 Both artists and Sinclair Community College faculty will serve as speakers and facilitators.<\/p>\n
During the conference\u2019s breakout sessions attendees can participate in art, music, language, performance and discussion to explore the ideas of identity and home.\u00a0 Little said the use of such activities is intentional.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve always used the arts and humanities to bring people together,\u201d Little said.\u00a0 \u201cWe just use that as a vehicle, as a way to talk about who we are and why we are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Students are encouraged to attend the conference, Little said.\u00a0 The organization received a grant to pay for 150 students to attend the conference for free.\u00a0 All they need to do is fill out a tuition waiver to apply for one of those free spots.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would love to have them come,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Little said the conference was initially designed to last for three years, but instead it has lasted 17.\u00a0 She said that people enjoy the conference and, once they attend, they want to come back.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been very successful, very positive,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cWhat it does is let folks get to know one another, get acquainted, and know that we are all very similar.\u201d<\/p>\n