Conference on Ohio equity, diversity to be held at BGSU

BOWLING GREEN, O.—The 18th annual State of the State Conference on equity, diversity and opportunity in Ohio will be hosted by Bowling Green State University on March 20. About 200 people from across the state and from all walks of life will gather to hear from leading advocates and to discuss critical issues in a variety of workshops and seminars. The conference runs from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

The day will feature two nationally acclaimed keynote speakers. Matt Roloff, noted actor, author, farmer and businessman, best known for participating with his family in the reality television program “Little People, Big World” on TLC, will speak at the noon luncheon. Toledo’s Baldemar Velásquez, acclaimed labor activist, social justice leader, and founder and president of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, will give the closing address at 3:45 p.m.  

Continuing education credits are available to participants in conjunction with: Owens Community College (generic), BGSU's College of Health and Human Services and the Ohio Board of Social Workers, Counselors, and Marriage and Family Therapists (social work and counseling), the Supreme Court of Ohio's Commission on Continuing Legal Education (law), and the HR Certification Institute for Review (human resources).

Dr. Emily Monago, director of BGSU’s Office of Multicultural Affair, is the Bowling Green chair for the conference; Marshall Rose is the state chair. This is the second year BGSU has hosted the event, which will move to Owens Community College in Toledo next year.

The cost to attend is $125. To register or for more information, including a pdf of the conference brochure, visit or call the Office of Multicultural Affairs at 419-372-2642.

Non-BGSU students wishing to attend may be added to a waiting list for scholarships, which are supported by Parker, Honda and Target.

In addition, organizations interested in supporting equity and diversity may register as sponsors. Details are on the conference website.