Uniting Olin as we grow ‘Together. Forward.’

The team guiding WashU Olin’s strategic plan for inclusion, diversity, equity and access is launching a new initiative to celebrate the school’s diverse community through monthly cultural observances. As a school, Olin is committed to these diversity principles, and this starts by learning about our own culture and worldview as well as cultures and worldviews that may differ from our own.

Broadening our perspective will enable us to see how we are all connected. This connection unites us and helps us grow “Together. Forward.”

Lunar New Year 

Also known as the Spring Festival, Lunar New Year is the observance of the start of a new year in a lunar or lunisolar calendar. It is the most significant holiday for many East and Southeast Asian cultures. The celebration of the start of year of the Tiger began on February 1 and typically runs for 15 days. The school, university and community at large are celebrating this cultural observance with several community events: 

• Olin Lunar New Year Celebration 
• WashU Lunar New Year Festival 

Black History Month 

Also known as African American History Month, this observance is recognized every year from February 1 to March 1. Black History Month is an annual celebration of African American heritage and the pivotal impact made by African Americans in US history. Black History Month has a different theme each year chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. This year’s theme is “Black Health and Wellness.”  

In honor of Black History Month, Olin’s IDEA team will host its inaugural event in the Diversity Perspectives speaker series on February 11 at 11:30 a.m.  Our featured speaker for this virtual event is Nikkia Reveillac (pictured at top), business insights and strategy leader, organization designer and builder, and director, consumer insights at Netflix. 

Olin students and alumni can also get involved by learning more through our micro-learning journeys from Blue Ocean Brain. These micro-learning sessions are available in the learn.WashU platform. Each micro-learning journey takes 10 minutes or less, and the current journeys available are:  

• Appreciating Diversity: Celebrating Black History Month 
• Boosting Your Diversity Intelligence 
• Achieving Racial Equity 
• How Embracing DEI Spurs Innovation 
• How Leaders Can Talk about Race at Work 

Other ways to get involved 

• Black Anthology 2022: Asifuye Mvua Imemnyeshea  
• The 35th annual Danforth Campus MLK Commemoration 

Discover your way to commemorate these cultural observances. We encourage you to learn or explore something new.

Pictured at top: Nikkia Reveillac, featured speaker for Olin’s February 11 Diversity Perspectives event.