What's The Word?

About

Description:

“What’s the Word?” is a facilitated conversation and community-building space for men of colour at Boston University. The event is designed to provide a welcoming and supportive environment where students can openly discuss topics and experiences that affect their communities, including campus life, identity, personal development, relationships, academics, and professional growth.

Through guided discussions and informal conversation, participants will have the opportunity to build fellowship and camaraderie, develop meaningful connections, and foster mentorship between members of the community. The overall goal of “What’s the Word?” is to create a space where men of colour at BU can feel comfortable sharing their perspectives, supporting one another, building a stronger sense of belonging, and developing lasting connections within the university community.

How is this event aligned with Howard Thurman’s philosophies?

“What’s the Word?” aligns closely with Howard Thurman’s philosophy of searching for common ground through self-understanding, meaningful dialogue, and genuine connection with others. The event creates a space centred on the experiences of men of colour and other underrepresented communities at Boston University, where students can openly discuss topics affecting their identities, communities, relationships, academic experiences, and personal development. Through these conversations, attendees are encouraged to better understand their own experiences while also listening to and learning from the perspectives of others. In doing so, the event promotes fellowship, empathy, mentorship, and a stronger sense of community, reflecting Thurman’s belief that meaningful shared experiences can help overcome the barriers that separate people.

How will it create an experience of self-exploration and connection for the attendees?

This event will create opportunities for self-exploration through guided and open-ended conversations that encourage participants to reflect on their identities, experiences, challenges, goals, and roles within their communities. Attendees will have opportunities to share their perspectives while hearing from others who may have similar or different experiences. These discussions are intended not only to encourage personal reflection, but also to help students recognise common experiences and develop meaningful relationships. This directly reflects the Howard Thurman Centre’s emphasis on discovering oneself through interaction and connection with others.