Leadership is art. It is the art of creating change and achieving progress through the involvement and actions of a collective. Like art, every tool, skill, and subject is essential in the process of leadership.
There are two takeaways we hope you gain from this LeadZine:
1. As shown on the submissions we've received, leadership has a myriad of definitions and it's ultimately what we, ourselves, make it out to be.
2. German artist Joseph Beuys famously said: “Everyone is an artist.” Similarly, everyone has the capacity to lead! We all hold unique perspectives and talents that make us essential when working together for a common purpose. Whether it's the LeadZine submissions, the leadership development opportunities, or the community around you-- we hope this inspires you to find your spark within and become the leader you wish to see in the world.
Inner Monologue (Part 1) by Ranya Jennifer Salvant
When I wrote these lines -fuck- I got scared,
Not by fusing pen with paper, and
Not by feelings of inadequacy
I was scared that my mental health had crumbled down by systematic redundancy.
Despite a world that would rather spit in my face,
I've poured out unrelenting love.
I've held out my almost empty heart,
But they're still fixed on tearing me apart.
(And) The ones I love...most times they don't see it,
This sacrifice of disseminating love.
I'm left thinking "Do they even care?"
It takes more guts than anyone would ever dare.
In times of self-reflection, I know I've felt defeated.
I've taken the hits from my inner monologue,
A warrior of my own spirit.
Because I thought no one else would ever want to hear it.
My compassion and truth is taken from empathy,
I feel what others feel in spite of me.
I leave behind trails that flourish into marvelous display,
Trying my best to remove everyone else's decay.
The Black woman - the goddess of unrequited love,
A pure vision of color and light, being put out by a world that isn't ready to hear-
The inner monologue of a black woman,
Is sometimes one of fear.
Inner Monologue (Part 2) by Ranya Jennifer Salvant
Fear to cry out,
Fear to even complain;
Fear of being vanquished,
Fear of their loved ones disdain.
Fear of restraint,
Fear of at times being alive,
Fear of constant neglect,
These fears - they make you want to give up, not thrive.
But your inner monologue of fear and defeat
It's only your greatest gift.
Don't let it fall on just you,
Dammit, Let the world take the hit.
You loved yourself, despite your fears
And Who said the Black woman couldn’t persevere?
Your inner monologue, it's not a story
These fears are very real.
Don't let the person who hears them,
Only see it as some literary thrill.
To the truths you live,
As you align yourself in crooked rooms,
Your inner monologue has been the door;
All of this strength makes me love the Black woman even more.
Leadership Learning Opportunities at UMBC
Leadership opportunities in Campus Life
Leadership Blueprint is a program that helps first year, sophomore, and new transfer students learn how to craft a more fulfilling college experience by sharing practical design thinking tools and ideas, while relating them back to their leadership and involvement plans for UMBC. However, all students are welcome to apply! Topics include exploring your interests, finding your place at UMBC, designing plans for your leadership and involvement experience, and much more. This seminar incorporates small group discussion, activities, guest speakers, and personal reflection. There are two different cohort times to choose from starting the week of January 25, 2021 and ending the week of February 22nd, 2021:
Retriever Cohort
Tuesdays 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Jan 26, Feb 2, Feb 9, Feb 16, Feb 23
True Grit Cohort
Wednesdays 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Jan 27, Feb 3, Feb 10, Feb 17, Feb 24
To participate, you must be available to attend all five sessions within your section of Leadership Blueprint. The deadline has been EXTENDED to Monday, January 25, 11:59 p.m.
To register, visit: tinyurl.com/leadershipblueprint2021
For questions contact Coordinator for Leadership, Beatriz Gutierrez-Malagon at bgutierrez@umbc.edu
Multicultural Leadership Experience
The Multicultural Leadership Experience is a collaborative effort between Campus Life and the Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging (i3b), to be virtually held over the course of four meetings throughout the Spring 2021 semester. The Multicultural Leadership Experience (MLE) will:
Engage up to 20 undergraduate students in a leadership learning cohort with synchronous and asynchronous content;
Enhance participants' leader identity and leadership capacity;
And increase participants awareness of personal abilities and identity development through authenticity, self-reflection, the role they play in developing relationships, and capitalizing on difference
Based on the belief that leadership is learned through experience, education, and reflection-- MLE will focus on leadership development through a multicultural lens, create a dynamic virtual learning environment, and invite UMBC students to learn with and from UMBC faculty, staff, and alumni. Registration is due Monday, February 1, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. To register, visit: tinyurl.com/mle2021
Scheduled meeting dates:
Meeting #1 - Thursday, February 11 (3 – 4:30 p.m.)
Meeting #2 - Thursday, February 25 (3 – 4:30 p.m.)
Meeting #3 - Thursday, April 1 (3 – 4:30 p.m.)
Meeting #4 - Thursday, May 6 (3 – 5 p.m.)
LEADERSHOPS
The LEADERSHOPS series consists of workshops that focus on various student centered leadership-related topics facilitated by Campus Life staff and student leaders. This program aims to contribute to the leadership development and ongoing learning of UMBC undergraduate students. To register for sessions, click "Going" on the myUMBC event page! Link to the session will be posted there and sent to your UMBC email.
Monday, March 1 (free hour)
The LeadHERship Problem is about taking a deeper look into the relationship between womxn and leadership. Attendees will learn about how our socialization affects our views regarding our own identity and our capacity to lead. This session will also explore how these messages show up in the world around us, and in what ways we can liberate ourselves from it.
Monday, April 5 (free hour)
Going farther together is about working as a team to achieve a common vision or goal. Attendees will learn about the process of leadership through team-building and capitalizing on difference. This session will be facilitated by the Executive Committee of the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society.
Leadership opportunities outside of Campus Life
UMBC students, faculty, staff, and alumni: Join a conversation about environmental sustainability. Meet local leaders (to be announced) and learn about their work, aspirations, and challenges, and how you can get involved. You will have the opportunity to hear from several change makers and spend time in small groups interacting with them and other participants.
To RSVP, follow this link. This dinner will take place online on Wednesday, April 21, 5 – 7 p.m. Because we cannot meet in person, this is a bring-your-own dinner event. This event is hosted by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Center for Democracy and Civic Life in partnership with UMBC’s Office of Sustainability.
i3b Advisory Board
The newly formed Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion and Belonging (i3b) team is excited to announce the development of their first i3b Advisory Board cohort for 2021! The i3b staff is currently looking for student leaders who are excited to impact diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice work on our campus. If selected, you will be joining a handful of other knowledgeable undergraduate and graduate students, as well as staff, faculty, and alumni members who are passionate about this work. If you are interested in learning more about this upcoming opportunity, please email the i3b department at i3b@umbc.edu.