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Amplifying Impact

Spark Podcast launched to inspire community conversation to collective action

By UNC Asheville

March 18^th, 2024

On a typical workday, Carlton Smith, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), might teach a student how to tie a tie then head to the soccer fields to train the soccer team on inclusive communication.

Kimberly Nava Eggett ’05, director of the University’s Center for Diversity Education (CDE) connects local elementary schools with living history on a typical day at work. In fact, Nava Eggett recently introduced Al Whitesides, namesake for Whitesides Hall on campus and a member of a high school group (ASCORE) that paved the way to desegregation in our community, to a local 4th grade class to help them learn about the Civil Rights movement.

Now their respective offices are partnering on a podcast, Spark: Conversation to Action – adding new voices to the vibrant campus discussion and aiming to connect past, present, and future Bulldogs to inclusive efforts happening across campus and the community.

“Our offices, our presences, have become that space of healing and soothing for students, and now Spark Podcast also provides that extra avenue,” said Smith. “We provide students who also don't get a lot of visibility on campus to get featured, to have their voices heard and that's really exciting to do.”

Spark Podcast tackles new subjects monthly, ranging from what affinity groups are to the different forms of taking action in the local community.

Both Smith and Nava Eggett say their work is about listening to and advocating for students, but Nava Eggett’s work also supports K-12 students and teachers with inclusive resources while leveraging UNC Asheville campus resources.

This means the CDE office is filled with tubs of educational exhibit materials that come to life in local schools. Most recently, Nava Eggett led a workshop with teachers at Claxton Elementary to understand the history of desegregation – an exhibit that can also be done on UNC Asheville’s campus with students, faculty, and staff.

“I’m like this hub that vacillates between the community schools as well as UNC Asheville,” said Nava Eggett.

“The podcast helps us get to know one another and see how much of a Venn diagram our offices are, where they overlap so we can work in tandem with one another while still having our unique departmental goals and mission.”

While the OMA office sits in the middle of Highsmith Student Union – a focal point of resources and support for students – OMA’s work also extends far beyond its assigned office space as it advances UNC Asheville’s core value of diversity and inclusion.

Smith and the OMA staff host Lavender graduation, recognizing graduating LGBTQIA students of all backgrounds, and celebrate Donning of the Stoles, bestowing graduating African American students with Kente cloth stoles to signify their African heritage/origins, celebrate their cultural pride, and be recognized for their achievements.

OMA also plans social justice coffee hours, coordinates the Sexuality and Gender (SAGE) program, and supports the Hyannis House, a center of care and community for students located behind Owen Hall at 24 Hyannis Drive.

And this is not OMA’s first podcast. The office published “$40 in Paris” in 2020, adding critical dialogue on pressing issues to the virtual pandemic discussion.

The Power of Community Action: Connecting Student Organizations with the CDE and OMA’s Work

Student organizations extend Smith and Nava Eggett’s work, as discussed in a recent Spark episode titled “Active at UNC Asheville.” Diana Aguilar Robles, president of Hermanos Orgullosos en las Américas (HOLA), describes connecting one of her members to resources and mentors during a challenging career change.

“At the end of the day I try to remind myself that even when we don’t meet everyday or constantly, we are here for you,” said Aguilar Robles.

The podcast episode demonstrates the impact of student organizations at UNC Asheville. Smith has witnessed these organizations becoming students’ “home for four years,” and Nava Eggett, a former UNC Asheville campus leader, says her UNC Asheville involvement still shapes her today.

“I think about your life after UNC Asheville. These leadership skills, finding community, and finding affinity groups are so valuable once you step out into the workplace or a different community or even stay in Asheville,” said Nava Eggett. “These skills help you stay grounded.”

Despite the usual weight of leadership, student organizations are thriving at UNC Asheville. Why? Student organizations are community-driven and collaborative. Leadership is being redefined, and it is never too late to join a club.

“You don't have to be president of an organization to be a leader, and we've emphasized that it’s not the title,” said Smith. “It's the work that you're doing for your organization and for your community.”

Smith says he notices “a lot of community-driven work” in the student groups he works with. In turn, the community helps support these organizations.

“Being able to be outsourced and lean on members and trying to engage everyone and get everyone’s input is really important,” said Aliah Bell, president of SANKOFA, in the recent SPARK episode.

Organizations are inspiring their membership and working together as a “shared community,” according to Smith.

“It’s really rewarding when you get to see that people are enjoying and connecting with other people in the community. It’s a great thing to see,” said Lily Kie, president of UNCA Hallel, in a recent episode.

Nava Eggett says she wants students to understand that there are great opportunities both on campus and in the greater Asheville community. So, the most recent episode is titled “Breaking the Bubble” and discusses what stepping out of your comfort zone and into the community looks like.

Spark Podcast continues to interview a wide variety of voices in the Asheville community, and episodes can be found here.

Both the OMA and CDE offices actively plan and host events, from a Black History Mobile Museum event to a campus community Ofrenda, and updates are posted to social media (OMA linked here and CDE linked here). Students can subscribe to OMA’s email here and find all the ways to connect with CDE here.

Footnotes

By Addison Wright '24

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