The Office of Diversity & Inclusion sponsors and collaborates on several marquee programs during each academic year. Below are descriptions for these major programs.
Marquee Programs
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Hosted at the beginning of the Spring semester, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration brings together the Bentley community to reflect on MLK's legacy and the path ahead for campus. Additionally, the MLK Committee presents the Dr. Earl L. Avery Leadership Awards to individuals who have had a lasting impact on campus.
The 2023 MLK Celebration will take place on Tuesday, January 30th, 2024, at 8am.
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
Hosted annually in June, Pride Month is a series of programs for and by the LGBTQ+ community. Events include community gatherings for queer and trans community members and educational opportunities highlighting LGBTQIA+ history, accomplishments and needs.
Rainbow Lunch
The annual Rainbow Lunch is a celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) community at Bentley University. The popular event is hosted by the group Bentley People Respecting Individuality and Diversity through Education (P.R.I.D.E.) and the Office of Diversity & Inclusion and features keynote addresses by prominent national speakers.
The 2022 Rainbow Lunch will take place on Tuesday, October 24th, 2023, at 12pm.
Speaker Series
The Office of Diversity & Inclusion co-sponsors several stand-alone speakers each each. Frequent partners include the Valente Center for Arts & Sciences, Gender and Sexuality Student Programs, the Department English & Media Studies, the Multicultural Center, the Office of Sustainability and Spiritual Life.