Men of Color
Men of Color aims to provide a comfortable setting where male students from a variety of backgrounds can express themselves and come to a greater understanding of one another’s experiences. The group was founded in 2014, a year before their president Herbert Wakefield ’19 came to Kenyon. “It’s just a place to be heard,” Wakefield said. “We’ll always take your perspective into account. Your thoughts are legitimate with us.”
While the group is primarily a support system for men of color, all male-identifying students are welcome to join. “We pride ourselves on bringing people of different backgrounds together and finding similar experiences,” Wakefield said.
Known for hosting the 21/20 party at Colburn and a yearly cookout, Men of Color also plans to host other events throughout the year aimed at improving community relations, according to Wakefield. “I think my overarching goal is to have my members build skills to where they can take back to their communities,” he said. One way of achieving this goal is through community outreach, an element Wakefield said the club is looking to introduce by connecting with and providing support to younger men of color in surrounding high schools.
The Horn Gallery
The Horn Gallery is more than just an art gallery. It also serves as a concert venue, performance space and home for open mics.
“I think the main reason folks should join is ’cause it’s fun, especially if you like music,” Noah Griffith-Rosenberger ’21, co-president of the organization, said. Members of the Horn Gallery take on multiple roles, doing everything from booking artists to setting up equipment and working with sound techs.
Griffith-Rosenberger said the best part of the organization is that students get to decide who they bring to campus. “Everybody can be involved and bring what they want to see,” he said. “It’s all student-run, and that’s great.”
The group has booked a number of artists for the upcoming year. All performances are available on their Facebook page. “I’m excited for the whole year,” Griffith-Rosenberger said, “but everybody should be excited [that] JPEGMAFIA is gonna be here, Free Cake for Every Creature and Jonathan Richman — those are some big folks.”
Kenyon College Athletes for Equality
Kenyon College Athletes for Equality (KCAE) aims to increase inclusivity within both athletics and the greater Kenyon community. They strive to inspire comfort with LGBTQ+ athletes. “KCAE was founded in 2013 as a way to further conversation about the LGBTQ+ community in athletics,” KCAE President Masen Colucci ’19 wrote in an email to the Collegian. “To make Kenyon athletics and the greater Kenyon community an inclusive space for everyone.”
Colucci encourages first-year athletes to join, citing that the club can be especially helpful for new athletes who are struggling to adjust to college life. “If you are a member of the community, particularly a first-year athlete who is adjusting to college and college athletics,” he said, “KCAE and the people involved are great resources for navigating your first year.”
In the past, KCAE has brought speakers to campus, including Chris Mosier, the first out transgender member of Team USA, and Schuyler Bailar, the first out transgender athlete competing on a Division I men’s team.
The club has also worked more formally with the College to spread the message of acceptance — last year they produced a short video for the Kenyon YouTube page on the topic of inclusion and diversity in athletics at Kenyon. In addition, KCAE sponsors a Sportsmanship Pledge for athletes to sign that says they will not discriminate based on gender, religion, sexuality, race or identity.