Borders of Diversity Conference Returns to Pasadena City College

Pasadena City College’s Cross Cultural Center and the English Division will be presenting the 2012 Borders of Diversity conference on May 10 in Creveling Lounge. This year’s conference, which is themed “Bridging Communities: Looking Forward/Looking Back,” is chaired by English instructor Dr. Mikage Kuroki.

The event, which is free and open to all PCC and community members, was founded by English instructor Martha Bonilla more than 10 years ago.

“I wanted to give students a leg up,” Bonilla said. “It’s a rare thing to have conference credit coming from a community college.”

The one-day student-run conference includes different fields of study with an over-arching theme of diversity. This year’s keynote speaker is Evelyn Cortez-Davis, the author of “December Sky: Beyond My Undocumented Life.”

“It’s centered on diversity in all kinds of ways,” Bonilla said. “It’s a venue for incredible papers, but it also includes delivery of exhibits and presentations.”

The event’s organizers are expecting eight student speakers on the topic of “Deviants, Renegades, and Resistance” and nine students on the “I’m From” panel.

For more information, please contact Kuroki at (626) 585-3372 or email mxkuroki@pasadena.edu.