The seventh year of a diversity conference at UNCG will explore diversity, hate crimes and racism.

The annual Shades of Color Conference, entitled “Rooted Together Through Diversity,” will begin at 11 a.m. March 23 in Elliott University Center.

The purpose of the conference is to provide opportunities for dialogue and community interaction around diverse issues facing today’s society, according to the Office of Multicultural Affairs, which sponsors the event that began in 1998.

This year’s Shades of Color Conference events include:

• 11 a.m. Registration and unity project, EUC.
• 2 p.m. Workshop Session I: “Stop Sippin’ on Haterade,” a workshop by Stop the Hate Trainers. Kirkland Room, EUC.
• 3:05 p.m. Workshop Session II: “Undoing Racism,” led by The White Caucus. Alexander Room, EUC.
• 4:30 p.m. Community Dinner, Cone Ballroom, EUC
• 5:30 p.m. Keynote Speaker Francis Bok will speak on “Ending Modern Day Slavery, One Slave at a Time.” Bok is a 25-year-old activist who was enslaved in Sudan for 10 years. Cone Ballroom.
• 6:30 p.m. Hip-hop group The Color Orange addresses cross-cultural communication through hip-hop and theatre, Cone Ballroom.

Registration is $10 on the day of the conference, $7 for early registration and free for all UNCG students. For more information, call the Office of Multicultural Affairs at (336) 334-5090 or visit the website.