Columbus State University celebrates its commitment to fostering a safe and diverse campus on Thursday with a daylong conference and dinner/awards ceremony, collectively called the Diversity Forum
 
During the Legacy Celebration Banquet, CSU’s Office of Diversity Programs and Services will honor 10 award recipients in categories ranging from community outreach and civic engagement to women’s leadership.
 
For the first time in the history of the Legacy Celebration, the ceremony will be held in CSU’s Lumpkin Center. The previous location could not accommodate the more than 400 expected attendees for the sold-out annual banquet.
 
Headlining this year’s dinner is Eric Thomas, an internally acclaimed author, educator, pastor and motivational speaker known as the “Hip-Hop Preacher.” He uses energetic messages laced with lessons from his own past to inspire Fortune 500 companies, such as General Electric, Nike and AT&T, major league teams from the NFL, NBA, MLS and MLB, and collegiate athletic programs, including the Auburn Tigers.
 
“We expect Eric’s message will transcend all barriers, populations and generations,” said Johniqua Williams, development specialist for CSU’s Diversity Programs. “When he speaks, everyone listens.”
 
Participants in the Diversity Conference, which will be held the same day as the banquet, will exchange ideas and opinions about topics ranging from homelessness and poverty to religious discrimination.
 
“The Diversity Conference is a great opportunity to network, workshop and engage in a dialogue that will not only continue CSU’s legacy of inclusion, but help reinforce solutions that are relevant worldwide,” Williams said.
 
Conference participants are joined by Ariel Ennis of the Of Many Institute for Interfaith Leadership, a NYU-based center founded by Chelsea Clinton and devoted to educating and inspiring religious and spiritual leaders to utilize multifaith dialogue.
 
CSU’s Diversity Forum begins on Thursday with the Diversity Conference from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cunningham Conference Center, 3100 Gentian Blvd. The Forum concludes with the Legacy Celebration that evening at 7 p.m. in the Lumpkin Center on CSU’s main campus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information about the Diversity Forum, visit https://diversity.columbusstate.edu/diversityforum.php.