Greenfield Intercultural Center

Greenfield Intercultural Center We build community, create a sense of belonging, and foster intercultural understanding. We are a home away from home.

Hi GIC Beloved Community,We warmly invite you to join us in a virtual gathering to honor the life and legacy of Ms. Joan...
04/22/2026

Hi GIC Beloved Community,
We warmly invite you to join us in a virtual gathering to honor the life and legacy of Ms. Joanne Bland, who passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 72 in her hometown of Selma.

For those who participated in the Alliance for Understanding spring break program during your time at Penn, this gathering will be a meaningful opportunity to remember and celebrate Ms. Joanne’s extraordinary contributions as a civil rights leader. Together, we will reflect, find inspiration, and reaffirm our shared commitment to justice for all.

Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM EST.
Location: Zoom. Please RSVP to receive the Zoom link. Register here: https://vpul-upenn.zoom.us/meeting/register/4A8iib_BQqOD_NGv9olHnw #/registration

We hope you can join us for this time of remembrance and community.

Students from Grover Cleveland High School in Queens, NY visited the University of Pennsylvania on Thursday, March 5, 20...
03/14/2026

Students from Grover Cleveland High School in Queens, NY visited the University of Pennsylvania on Thursday, March 5, 2026 as part of their school’s chapter of My Sister’s Keeper, a club that promotes access to higher education.

During the visit, the United Minorities Council (UMC) organized a panel featuring Penn students from New York City. Panelists shared their college application experiences, discussed campus life, and offered advice and encouragement to the visiting students.

The event created a supportive space for students to ask questions and gain insight into the college experience while highlighting the importance of mentorship, community, and access to higher education.

Each month, students and staff are invited for a cultural cooking workshop where we make a simple and delicious cultural...
03/14/2026

Each month, students and staff are invited for a cultural cooking workshop where we make a simple and delicious cultural dish and fill up on new knowledge, stories, and good conversations led by featured guests from our beloved GIC community.

On Friday, March 6, 2026, we were delighted to make Mac & Cheese ft. Ms Marsha, former GIC housekeeper.

On March 5, 2026, the GIC hosted our annual Intercultural Iftar.
03/13/2026

On March 5, 2026, the GIC hosted our annual Intercultural Iftar.

On February 27, 2026, the GIC, Weingarten Center, and Penn Wellness collaborated on an event focused on an honest conve...
03/13/2026

On February 27, 2026, the GIC, Weingarten Center, and Penn Wellness collaborated on an event focused on an honest conversation about Penn Face, stress, and what success really looks like on campus.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, students attended a Penn FLASH Lounge conversation with GIC alumnus David Thai (C’18), ...
03/13/2026

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, students attended a Penn FLASH Lounge conversation with GIC alumnus David Thai (C’18), who shared insights about his journey from student to professional. He discussed how his post-graduation experiences shaped his career and emphasized the importance of building and maintaining a strong professional network.

A key takeaway from the session was learning how to approach alumni and professionals with confidence. David encouraged students to reach out with curiosity and authenticity, noting that many alumni are willing to offer guidance and share their experiences. Overall, the session highlighted that networking is about building genuine relationships over time and provided students with helpful strategies for developing professional connections.

Alums like David Thai (C'18) can be found on Penn FLASH (mentoring.upenn.edu). Penn FLASH is an online student–alumni networking platform based out of the GIC. Built on knowledge sharing and community, it connects students with a carefully curated group of alumni who are committed to giving back. Unlike a cold call, Penn FLASH offers an informal, low-pressure way to grow your network. It’s a true extension of the GIC family: a welcoming space to share insights and build meaningful connections.

On February 6, 2026, Penn students, staff, and community members attended "Through the Lens of Black History: Reflection...
03/13/2026

On February 6, 2026, Penn students, staff, and community members attended "Through the Lens of Black History: Reflections on the Photography of Leandre Jackson", a discussion featuring photographer Leandre Jackson and curator Dr. Samir Meghelli (C’04). The event highlighted Jackson’s 50-year career documenting influential figures who have shaped Black history and culture.

Jackson reflected on photographing notable individuals such as James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Muhammad Ali, Prince, Patti LaBelle, and Coretta Scott King, while the discussion also emphasized the importance of preserving his photography collection at the Penn Libraries’ Kislak Center. Overall, the event underscored the power of photography in documenting history and preserving the stories of influential Black leaders, artists, and activists.

Dr. Samir Meghelli is an award-winning curator, historian, writer, and educator. He currently serves as a museum curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and is a Visiting Scholar-in-Residence at American University’s Metropolitan Policy Center.

The GIC is proud to support Penn for Immigrant Rights (PIR). Established in 2011, PIR is a Penn-based organization dedic...
03/13/2026

The GIC is proud to support Penn for Immigrant Rights (PIR). Established in 2011, PIR is a Penn-based organization dedicated to supporting the local undocumented immigrant community through advocacy and education. PIR welcomes both immigrants and allies and is grounded in the belief that immigrant rights are human rights.

On Friday, December 5, 2024, the Graduate Arab Student Mixer was held in the GIC Lounge, bringing together graduate stud...
03/12/2026

On Friday, December 5, 2024, the Graduate Arab Student Mixer was held in the GIC Lounge, bringing together graduate students, community members, and supporters to celebrate the semester’s accomplishments. The event provided an opportunity for graduate students to connect, meet peers, and build relationships across programs. Through conversation, shared experiences, and community engagement, the mixer highlighted the value of support, collaboration, and celebration in sustaining the organization’s mission. Students left feeling appreciated, connected, and inspired as the semester came to a close.

On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, from 12:00–1:00 p.m., the GIC hosted the Community Gratitude Gathering, an event dedicate...
03/12/2026

On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, from 12:00–1:00 p.m., the GIC hosted the Community Gratitude Gathering, an event dedicated to appreciating the support and collaboration of students, staff, and community members throughout the semester.

We recited the "Allegiance to Gratitude"by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and enjoyed a moment to pause and recognize the contributions that strengthen the GIC community. Overall, the Community Gratitude Gathering fostered a sense of belonging and appreciation, highlighting the value of collaboration and community as the semester came to a close.

On November 22, 2025, the Museum opened its new North American Indigenous Gallery, featuring over 250 artifacts and cont...
03/12/2026

On November 22, 2025, the Museum opened its new North American Indigenous Gallery, featuring over 250 artifacts and contemporary artworks. Located next to the Sphinx Gallery, the gallery was created with input from eight Indigenous curators to tell authentic stories of resilience, self-determination, and cultural continuity.

Students and staff explored a range of archaeological, historic, and modern items that highlight Indigenous identities, traditions, and creativity. The gallery offers a multi-sensory experience celebrating Indigenous cultures and their ongoing contributions. The opening brought the community together to appreciate and learn from these powerful stories, making it a meaningful celebration of heritage and culture.

Second Annual Arabic Calligraphy Workshop with Dr. Muhammad HabibOn Friday, November 21, 2025, from 3:15–4:45 p.m., at F...
03/12/2026

Second Annual Arabic Calligraphy Workshop with Dr. Muhammad Habib
On Friday, November 21, 2025, from 3:15–4:45 p.m., at Fisher Bennett Hall Auditorium, we hosted the Second Annual Arabic Calligraphy Workshop with Dr. Muhammad Habib. The event offered students a unique opportunity to explore the rich tradition of Arabic calligraphy under the guidance of a skilled practitioner and educator.

Dr. Habib, who studied at the Calligraphy Institute in Cairo and currently serves as a preceptor in Arabic at Harvard University, shared his expertise in the art form while providing historical and cultural context. Participants learned key techniques, practiced writing Arabic script, and gained an appreciation for the precision, beauty, and expression inherent in calligraphy.

All materials were provided, allowing students to take home their work as a keepsake of the experience. The workshop fostered a hands-on, interactive environment that encouraged creativity, focus, and cultural appreciation. This workshop successfully combined artistry, learning, and engagement, leaving participants inspired and connected to the enduring legacy of Arabic calligraphy.

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