��Vlog: Campus Culture Blog

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heroes of History: 5 Incredible Figures

2026-04-24T23:19:47.405551-04:00

Currently over 20 million people of Asian or Pacific Islander descent live in the United States—accounting for about 6% of the population. They represent more than 56 ethnic groups and speak over 100 languages. Each year, the month of May is dedicated to celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, in which we acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians to the history of the United States. Let’s take time to learn more about the unique, vibrant cultures of their homelands with the stories of five AAPI heroes throughout history.

Kalpana Chawla

Kalpana Chawla was an astronaut, engineer, and the first Indian-born woman in space. She was selected by NASA in December 1994 and reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995 as an astronaut candidate. After a year of training and evaluation, Chawla was assigned as crew representative for the Astronaut Office EVA/Robotics and Computer Branches. She had a hand in the development of Robotic Situational Awareness Displays and was also tasked with testing space shuttle control software in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory. Chawla also served as a mission specialist and prime robotic arm operator on space flight STS-87 before being assigned as crew representative for shuttle and station flight crew equipment. Thereafter, she served as lead for the Astronaut Office’s Crew Systems and Habitability section.

Chawla’s first space flight was on STS-87 Columbia on November 19, 1997. In 376 hours and 34 minutes, STS-87 made 252 orbits of the Earth, traveling 6.5 million miles. Her next space flight was unfortunately also her last. STS-107 Columbia lifted off on January 16, 2003, carrying seven crew members tasked with conducting research experiments. Columbia was slated to return to the Kennedy Space Center on February 1, but just 16 minutes prior to their scheduled landing, the shuttle broke up as it returned to Earth, tragically killing Chawla and the six other astronauts on board.

Yuna Kim

Yuna Kim, sometimes called “Queen Yuna,” is a retired figure skater and philanthropist. She was the first-ever South Korean figure skater to take home the gold at the Olympic Games. Actually, she was the first female skater ever to win every major international competition: the Olympic Games, the World Championships, the Four Continents Championships, and the Grand Prix Final. But there’s even more—Kim was also the first figure skater to complete a Career Super Grand Slam by winning the Junior Grand Prix Final and the Junior World Championships. She was named one of the world’s most influential people by Time magazine in 2010. That same year, she was named international UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, as she’s donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to relief efforts for natural disasters in Haiti, the Philippines, and Nepal. In 2015, Kim designed a bag for auction as part of the Fendi Seoul Peekaboo project; sales of the bag generated $15,000, all of which she donated to UNICEF.

Cecil Rajendra

Cecil Rajendra is a human rights activist, poet, and lawyer from Malaysia who’s been fighting for human beings his entire decades-long career. In 1980, he set up the first free legal aid clinic in Bayan Lepas free-trade zone in his home state of Penang, Malaysia. Malaysian workers were grappling with poor working conditions, low and/or non-payment of wages, housing issues, and sexual harassment. To make matters worse, there was a ban on unions in the area. The clinic allowed workers the aid they so desperately needed but couldn’t otherwise afford. Twenty years later, Rajendra created the first mobile legal aid clinic in the country, MOBLAC, so his fellow citizens could better understand their rights. He’s credited with initiating and leading the movement against Malaysia’s Internal Security Act, which allowed individuals to be imprisoned without official criminal charges or undergoing trials. Rajendra has also authored 25 books, and his poems have been published in more than 50 countries. He received the Malaysian Bar Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 in recognition of his work in human rights and legal aid and, in 2019, he won the International Bar Association’s Pro Bono Award.

Arlen Siu

Arlen Sui, known as “La Chinita” (the Chinese girl), was a Chinese-Nicaraguan poet, essayist, singer-songwriter, and musician. She was one of the first female martyrs of the Sandinista revolution and fiercely fought for women’s rights and political justice. She wrote the poem Rural María, which tells the story of impoverished, overworked mothers in rural Nicaragua. Sui also penned many Marxist and feminist writings, studied at the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, and sang with Marlene Avarez. Her concerts and performances were often monitored by snipers from the National Guard. In August 1975, when Sui was just 20 years old, the Guard ambushed her near a Sandinista training school in the city of Leon. She was hailed as a martyr for the cause and is remembered for her talent and unfailing courage.

George Jarrett Helm Jr.

George Jarrett Helm Jr. was a musician and aloha ʻāina activist from Kalamaʻula Molokai, Hawai’i. His first affiliation with a grassroots activist group was in 1975 with Molokai-based group Hui Alaloa, fighting to gain access to local beaches and mountains that had been off limits to the public for years. Helm became deeply involved in—and eventually became the president of—the Protect Kahoʻolawe (or Kahoolawe) ʻOhana organization. The island of Kahoʻolawe had been used by the United States Navy since 1941 to test bombs. As such, the island and the water surrounding it were off limits to civilians. In 1976, Helm and eight others—dubbed the "Kahoʻolawe Nine"—occupied the island to end the mistreatment of Kahoʻolawe. Upon their arrival, they were arrested by the Coast Guard. An archeological survey would later show that 29 sites across the island were eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, according to the US National Park Service, and Helm and the group would continue to visit Kahoʻolawe as part of their efforts.

On March 5, 1977, the day before leaving for Kahoʻolawe to retrieve two fellow activists that had been staying on the island despite continued bombings, Helm went to Maui to meet up with Kimo Mitchell. The next morning, Helm, Kimo Mitchell, and Billy Mitchell left Maui for Kahoʻolawe. What happened next is still unclear—but Billy Mitchell was the only known survivor. According to his story, the men were unable to find their friends. They were supposed to be picked up by another boat, but that vessel was later found sunken off the pier in Kihei with its drain plugs pulled. Instead of waiting for someone else to stumble upon them, the men decided to paddle back to Maui on surfboards. They were struggling in rough waters, so Billy Mitchell decided to turn back to Kahoʻolawe to find help. On March 8, he was airlifted from Kahoʻolawe, but the other two men were nowhere to be found. Helm did not die in vain, however; on October 22, 1990, President George H.W. Bush ordered that all weapons delivery training on Kahoʻolawe be stopped. A few weeks later, he signed into law the end of the bombing of Kahoʻolawe and returned its legal ownership to the state of Hawai’i.

We hope you enjoyed learning about some amazing historical figures you may have never known about before. Their incredible stories are cemented in US history and emphasize the important role Asian American and Pacific Islanders play in this country. Happy AAPI Heritage Month!

Celebrate AAPI history by sharing this blog! And if you want to learn about more incredible Asian American and Pacific Islander people, you can read part two now.

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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heroes of History: 5 More Inspiring Figures

2026-04-24T23:19:47.402402-04:00

Welcome to the second installment of our Asian American and Pacific Islander Heroes of History series! Below, you’ll meet five more amazing individuals of AAPI heritage. From farmworkers to medical doctors, they all positively impacted American history, and their stories deserve to be heard and shared.

Josefa Llanes Escoda

Josefa Llanes Escoda was a Filipina suffragist who dedicated her life to promoting social justice. She earned her Teaching degree at the Philippine Normal School in Manila, graduating with honors. She went on to get her high school teacher’s certificate from the University of the Philippines—but Escoda didn’t stop there. She became a social worker for the Philippine Chapter of the American Red Cross, which earned her a scholarship to attend Columbia University, where she would study Sociology. While in the US, Escoda also represented the Philippines at the Women’s International League for Peace and trained female teachers from the public and private sector to become Girl Scout leaders. When she returned to the Philippines, she organized a Girl Scouts chapter there, which was officially signed by President Manuel L. Quezon, and acted as the chapter’s first National Executive.

Escoda’s life and career were derailed by World War II, but she didn’t let up. She educated members of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs (NFWC) to set up emergency aid centers and food preservation during the war and aided prisoners of war and stranded women and children—which eventually led to being arrested and imprisoned in Fort Santiago, where she was brutally tortured and, eventually, executed. Josefa is one of just two women to appear on the current series of Philippine peso notes—a significant nod to her bravery and contributions to her home country and the world.

Sombath Somphone

Sombath Somphone is a community development worker, scholar, and scientist from Laos. Somphone earned his bachelor’s degree in Education and his master’s degree in Agriculture at the University of Hawaii before returning to Laos in 1980. He believed deeply in educating the youth of his home country to make strides in reducing poverty, finding sustainable farming solutions, and more. In 1996, Somphone founded the Participatory Development Training Centre (PADETC) in Vientiane in 1996. The goal of the center was to provide youth education for sustainable development. The volunteers were learning by doing, which he called “participatory learning.” The young volunteers at the PADETC experienced the joy of activity-based learning that took the classroom outside. With play and storytelling at the forefront, learning became more engaging and impactful.

For his work with Laotian youth, Somphone received the 2005 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership. The Magsaysay Awards, which were established by the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, are often referred to as “Asia’s Nobel Prizes.” On December 15, 2012, Somphone was stopped by the police in Vientiane, and he’s been missing ever since. The United Nations, European Union, and the United States believe that he’s possibly being held by authorities, but to this day, there has been no news of his whereabouts.

Dr. Me-Iung Ting

Dr. Me-Iung Ting was a physician from China who worked tirelessly to improve medical care for women, children, and refugees. From 1892 to 1943, the US government limited the immigration of Chinese laborers—and even prohibited Chinese immigrants from gaining citizenship. Fortunately, as a medical student, Me-Iung Ting was able to gain entry into the US on a Boxer Indemnity Scholarship. In 1914, Ting attended Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts and ultimately graduated from the School of Medicine at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. When she arrived in 1916, she was the only Chinese woman there. After eight years of studying and interning in medicine in the US, Ting returned to China in 1922. Ever-passionate about women’s health, Dr. Ting led the Chinese delegation to the first Pan-Pacific Women’s Congress in 1929. That same year, the University of Michigan awarded her a year-long Barbour Fellowship, an endowed scholarship for female graduate students from Asia and the Middle East. In 1935, Ting was appointed as Director of the Tientsin Infants Asylum by Tientsin’s mayor. She was the first woman appointed to a government position in the city.

When the Second Sino-Japanese War wreaked havoc on her home country, Ting ignored the restrictions imposed by Japanese authorities to ensure expectant mothers could deliver safely. When the Japanese invaded Manchuria in 1931, she helped thousands of Korean refugees in need of medical care. As civil war broke out in China between the Nationalists and Communists in the 1940s, Ting served as the chair of China’s International Relief Committee for six years and later chaired the United Nations Emergency Fund for Children (now UNICEF). Eventually, Dr. Ting fled from China, immigrating to the United States in 1950. For the remainder of her life, she poured herself into medicine while speaking out against China’s Communist government. Ting finally became a US citizen in 1969—but that same year, she died of a heart attack at a medical conference in New York City.

Philip Vera Cruz

Philip Vera Cruz was a Filipino American farmworker in the 1940s in California. He picked fruits and vegetables for 10-hour days in 110-degree heat. The labor camps where the farmworkers lived had only outdoor kitchens, toilets, and showers—and workers had no benefits, no rights, and no health care. On September 8, 1965, Vera Cruz and the other farmworkers went on strike to protest the insufferably poor pay and conditions and boycott non-union grapes. The Filipinos also asked Cesar Chavez, the leader of the National Farm Workers Association, to join them. The farmworkers gained international support, and the strike led to the formation of the United Farm Workers Union (UFW). Philip became the UFW officer for Agbayani Village, a retirement home for farmworkers who worked backbreaking jobs for most of their lives only to retire with no savings or assets. In 1988—years after Vera Cruz had retired—Filipino President Corazon Aquino awarded him the Ninoy Aquino award for his years of service.

Grace Lee Boggs

Grace Lee Boggs was a Chinese American author, social activist, and philosopher. She enrolled at Barnard College in New York City when she was just 16 years old and went on to earn her doctorate in Philosophy in 1940 at Bryn Mawr College. Upon graduating, she longed to stay in academia, but no university would hire a Chinese American woman to teach. A leftist, Grace discovered a sect called the Johnson-Forest Tendency, or “The Johnsonites,” who worked in factories to make ends meet while indulging in philosophy and theory in their free time. In 1953, Grace moved to Detroit, where she met her husband James (Jimmy) Boggs, a Black Johnsonite, philosopher, and autoworker from rural Alabama. The Black autoworkers of the Detroit factories were marching against discrimination decades before Martin Luther King Jr. made his mark.

Grace and Jimmy eventually left Detroit behind in the 1960s as factories began to close and Black workers continued to be mistreated. In 1963, she joined the Great Walk to Freedom, which attracted 100,000 people and was led by Dr. King. That same year, Grace and Jimmy invited Malcolm X to Detroit, where he delivered his famous “Message to the Grassroots” speech. The couple also worked with insurgent groups like the Revolutionary Action Movement, continuously fighting for civil justice. When Grace was in her 70s, she began attending meetings of Save Our Sons and Daughters (SOSAD), which consisted mostly of Black mothers of murdered children in Detroit. The group marched against violence and developed curricula for Detroit’s public schools. From there, Grace launched Detroit Summer, with volunteers planting community gardens and working with school-aged children. In the early 2010s, they started a charter school. Grace died peacefully at home in 2015 at the ripe old age of 100.

We hope you enjoyed learning about five more amazing AAPI heroes throughout history. There are many other incredible individuals that have enriched America, so keeping celebrating AAPI heritage all year by reading and sharing their stories. Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

Celebrate AAAPI Heritage month by sharing this blog! And you can check out more content about and for Asian American and Pacific Islander people with the tag "AAPI Heritage Month."

Connect with colleges mentioned in this article

Connect me with Columbia! Connect me with U of Michigan Ann Arbor!

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5 Great Reasons to Consider Attending an HBCU

2026-04-24T23:19:47.400040-04:00

As students approach the end of their high school careers, they’re faced with the conundrum of determining which college or university they would like to attend. There are various factors to take into consideration while selecting schools, including cost, location, student population, athletics, academics, extracurriculars, networks, and campus life. If you’re interested in a college that will fulfill all your desires, you may want to consider attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).

For over a century, HBCUs across the country have played an essential role in educating students of color—particularly African Americans—while helping them pursue professional careers. Despite HBCUs being created to accommodate Black students, people from all backgrounds can reap the benefits of these renowned institutions. Here are five reasons why an HBCU could prove to be an incredible choice for you.

1. Affordability

HBCUs are generally more affordable than Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Although tuition fees differ by institution, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) reports students paid an average total cost of attendance that was 26% lower than other four-year nonprofit colleges. This not only makes college accessible to low- and middle-income students but also helps close the racial wealth gap. According to the Education Data Initiative, African American college graduates owe an average of $25,000 more in student loan debt than their White counterparts. As a result of the numerous forms of financial assistance offered by HBCUs, student debt for low-income households could be reduced significantly.

2. Inclusivity

HBCUs are diverse—students of all races and ethnicities across the globe attend and thrive at these institutions. Therefore, a wide range of unique cultures and perspectives are present within their student bodies. In addition, HBCU campus culture encompasses many aspects of Black culture—including music, art, and literature—to help celebrate Black students and teach students of other races more about it. As an HBCU student, you’ll find important pieces of Black history incorporated into most of the classes you take. HBCUs continue to educate students on the achievements of Black individuals, putting Black history in college curricula where it belongs.

3. Academics

HBCUs provide demanding but invigorating academic environments. Several of them, such as Howard University and Spelman College, are nationally recognized for offering outstanding educational programs, especially in the STEM fields. In fact, the same UNCF report found that HBCUs generated 25% of all bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields for African Americans. If you’re looking for a school that will challenge you and leave you proud of your achievements, an HBCU is a great choice.

4. Campus community

HBCUs also offer a nurturing and supportive campus environment as well as numerous high-quality resources for students. For example, while 91% of writing centers at PWIs are staffed with undergraduate students, more than half of HBCUs use professional tutors. Imani Simmons, a Howard University alumni, describes her experience, saying, “While engaged in very challenging work, I find that the tutoring center is the most valuable resource for me. Once I discovered I could go to the tutoring center as much as I needed, I’ve basically lived there. The tutors take the time not only to teach me but also to learn about who I am as a person.”

Students themselves also create a vibrant campus life by hosting diverse events. Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) host parties, shows, and competitions. In addition, homecoming is an acclaimed weeklong celebration characterized by concerts, shows, food vendors, parties, parades, and school pride. HBCU homecomings are notorious for featuring renowned celebrities, such as Drake at Howard University’s 2012 homecoming.

5. Long-term connections

The strong sense of community at HBCUs doesn’t simply disappear after graduation, as most schools have robust alumni associations. Through these groups, alumni continue to offer support and networking opportunities to current students as well as new professionals. Students can build connections with notable individuals within their field of study, earn internships, and promote their intended careers. In some cases, prominent alumni even donate money to fund new programs and scholarships at their alma maters.

HBCUs have plenty of assets like any other college, including financial assistance, impressive academic rigor, high-spirited communities, and valuable networking opportunities. But it’s the diversity and focus on supporting disadvantaged students and promoting Black history and culture that really set them apart. With over 100 HBCUs in the US to choose from, one may be the ideal fit for you.

Whether it’s an HBCU or another college, finding a diverse campus culture is important! Check out our article on 6 Questions to Ask About a University's Cultural Fit to help you find your best-fit school.

A More Diverse College Search: How to Find Colleges With Strong DEI Efforts

2026-04-24T23:19:47.397804-04:00

When searching for colleges and universities and deciding where to apply, there are several elements to consider that differ depending on the student: location, cost, academic quality and programming, athletics, student life, professional development, and so on. Although these components of fit are most commonly evaluated and assessed, it’s also important to consider a college’s ideals and culture. It can certainly be said that not all colleges have a good track record of helping students of color and other minority identities succeed. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a great number of institutions today that have decent diversity reports. Here’s some guidance on how to find institutions that put in the effort when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Resources for a diversity-first college search

Diversity and identity should always be important factors for students while investigating universities and deciding where to go. This is a component of the college search process that is unique to each individual and vital to reflect on truthfully. When researching schools, you may want to focus on the following aspects of diversity within the student body:

Race
Ethnicity
Country of origin
Gender and/or sexual identity
Religion
Disability status
Sociopolitical beliefs
Socioeconomic status
Exposure to higher education

These aren’t the only criteria, but they are common and crucial. Some useful resources to begin your research include:

U.S. News & World Report: This publication provides rankings for the most international students at US institutions, racially and ethnically diverse colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).
The College Board’s Big Future College Search: Students can search or select universities based on diversity factors such as the number of racial and ethnic minorities on campus. Student body demographic statistics are also emphasized in the “Student Life” portion of these college profiles.
The Campus Pride Index: This is a nationwide directory of LGBTQ+-friendly schools and institutions.
Hillel International: The organization offers extensive online search options for discovering institutions with active Jewish communities.
Women’s College Coalition: This is another useful search engine to help young women find colleges that focus on their success.

Topics to discuss with admission offices

Look for any information you can find regarding diversity on college websites. The visibility of critical diversity and inclusion information can sometimes indicate institutional importance and commitment to DEI objectives. Inquire with the admission and/or campus life offices regarding the following:

First-generation college student resources designed exclusively for you
Clubs and organizations as well as academic and student life offices related to your identity
Opportunities to communicate with professors regarding diversity and inclusion in curriculum and courses
Campus environment and culture, including how diversity and identity are recognized and explored and if students are empowered and included in activities promoting diversity and inclusion
In-person and virtual opportunities to get to know the school better

A critical look at college admission standards

If colleges want to take academic diversity seriously, they must realize that judgments about who is likely to succeed at their school are influenced by implicit bias and institutional racism. Students of color, in particular, are often mistaken as less likely to succeed because they haven’t been afforded the resources for success up to this point. To be a truly excellent academic institution, a college must be able to effectively serve any student who meets its admission criteria. And because students of color routinely receive disproportionately poor K–12 academic preparation, good institutions reorient their admission practices to recognize that education is about more than skimming from the “top” students. Many universities have been pioneers in giving resources to at-risk students through programs such as Summer Bridge, which allows students to acclimate to college life before the start of the academic year. Look for colleges that offer these types of resources to students who have notoriously not been given the chance to succeed.

There’s no magical technique for determining the best fit with a college or predicting what it would be like to join that community, but thorough study and asking essential (and often challenging) questions will take you a long way. When emerging adults begin their college experience, they’re taking a risk and committing to a school for several years. So be sure to factor in all relevant factors of your identity when looking for the right academic home.

Get going on your college search with our lists of featured schools that value and are dedicated to diversity.

8 Great Podcasts to Help You Learn and Celebrate Black History

2026-04-24T23:19:47.395165-04:00

The start of February means the beginning of Black History Month—an annual celebration to acknowledge and commemorate the achievements of Black Americans and the impact they continue to have on our nation! Black Americans and their backgrounds have historically been excluded from mainstream media, which is why podcasts that illuminate the realities and stories of the Black experience are critically important. If you’re looking to expand your knowledge on Black history and the contemporary issues Black people face, check out these eight diverse podcasts that cover history, culture, and civil rights events as well as the impact of racism, trauma, and discrimination on the lives of Black people.

1. Black History Year

Black History Year is a podcast for anyone looking to learn about Black history, culture, and how racism has impacted the lives of Black Americans. According to the description, “Black History Year connects you to the history, thinkers, and activists that are left out of the mainstream conversations.” Topics include the meaning of Juneteenth, police brutality, and more. This podcast is produced by PushBlack, the nation’s largest nonprofit media company.

2. Witness Black History

Witness Black History features the stories of witnesses of—or those with close ties to—significant Black and civil rights history events. For instance, the episode focused on the Death of Trayvon Martin was told through the lens of Trayvon’s high school friend Ashley Burch. The podcast is produced by BBC World Service, which produces a high volume of podcasts ranging from topics like history and true crime to tv shows and more.

3. School Colors

School Colors is a narrative podcast that follows generations of parents and educators who are advocating for educational equity in Central Brooklyn. Topics include charter schools, gentrification, standardized testing, and more. Created by Mark Winston Griffith and Max Freedman, it won Best Podcast of the Year from The Atlantic in 2019. If you’re interested in learning how race and class influence the quality of the American education system, this one is for you.

4. Balanced Black Girl

Named a Top Mindfulness Pick of 2022 by Apple Podcasts, Balanced Black Girl focuses on topics pertaining to self-care, wellness, and personal development from a Black woman’s perspective. Host Les uses her background as a fitness instructor and personal trainer to guide listeners in weekly mindfulness. If you’re looking for tangible tips on practicing self-care and financial wellness—or if you want to learn about the experiences and daily personal, social, economic, and psychological challenges impacting Black women—this podcast is a must-listen.

5. Black Girl Blueprint

Black Girl Blueprint provides listeners an opportunity to learn about the unique perspectives, experiences, and accomplishments of young Black Gen Z women. Topics include how Black girls deal with generational trauma, imposter syndrome, and more. Hosted by Lauren Ritchie and Makeen Zachery, this podcast showcases how young Black girls influence culture in a way they only know how.

6. TransLash Podcast

Imara Jones’s TransLash Podcast features the stories and histories of Black trans people and allies as well as the inequities impacting the transgender community and how to create a more just society. Topics include transgender violence and creating more equitable health policies for trans people. Episodes are produced by TransLash Media, a trans-led organization that seeks to save trans lives by spreading the power of personal narratives to effect change for the transgender community.

7. Blackbelt Voices

Blackbelt Voices honors the history and contemporary culture and events impacting Black people in the South. This part of the US has always been a contentious and significant feature of the Black experience—both a place of pervasive racism and a region where the Black population and culture are widespread. The Blackbelt refers to the fertile plain stretching from central Alabama to northern Mississippi, denoting the historic area where cotton production on slave plantations was central to economic production. This podcast features first-person narratives of Black southerners living and creating their own legacy and reconciling with their own history.

8. Intersectionality Matters!

Intersectionality Matters! is hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American civil rights advocate and professor at Columbia University Law School who coined the term “intersectionality”—which refers to how multiple social identities like race, class, gender, and more interact to form cumulative impacts of racism and discrimination. This podcast covers historic and contemporary ills impacting the Black community, including stories on violence against Black women, Black voter suppression, and more.

Podcasts are an excellent and accessible way to learn about, honor, and celebrate Black history. This February and beyond, make a commitment to learn more about Black history and the Black experience any way you can. Happy Black History Month to the ��Vlog community!

Continue to learn and celebrate this month and beyond with all the content we have under the "Black history” tag.

Fostering Diversity: College Clubs That Welcome Students of All Cultures

2026-04-24T23:19:47.391958-04:00

Campus clubs are a vital part of the college experience, offering students the opportunity to engage with others who share their interests, explore new passions, and develop valuable skills. For students from diverse cultural backgrounds, college clubs are especially important as they provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where they can feel comfortable and supported.

They provide a platform for students to come together and share their experiences and perspectives, fostering a sense of community and understanding. Let’s take a look at all the benefits of diverse college clubs and specific opportunities for you to get involved.

The importance of clubs that foster diversity

It’s crucial for colleges to have clubs that foster diversity for several reasons. Firstly, these groups provide students from diverse cultural backgrounds with a safe and inclusive space, allowing them to express themselves freely and engage with others who share their interests. This promotes intercultural understanding and helps break down barriers and stereotypes while fostering respect for diversity. Secondly, college clubs that foster diversity help students learn about different cultures and ways of life, expanding their perspectives and increasing their cultural competence. This is especially important in today's globalized world, where individuals need to be able to interact effectively with people from many different backgrounds.

Clubs you could join in college

Ultimately, promoting diversity makes the college experience more enriching and rewarding. If you’re looking for clubs that do this, start with these organizations that are common on college campuses across the country.

International Student Association

International Student Association is dedicated to providing support and resources for international students, helping them adjust to life on campus, and offering opportunities to learn about different cultures. The ISA often organizes cultural events, such as food festivals and cultural performances, that bring students together and promote intercultural understanding. Additionally, the club offers language exchanges, where students can practice speaking a foreign language and have regular discussions and workshops that explore different cultural topics. Colleges that offer this club include Georgetown University, San Diego State University, the University of Dallas, and more.

Cultural awareness clubs

Many colleges and universities have cultural clubs that serve as a platform for students to explore and share their cultural heritage. Examples include the African Student Association, Asian American Student Association, Latino Student Association, Native American Student Association, and more. These clubs let students participate in cultural events, discussions, and workshops that promote intercultural understanding. Cultural clubs are also useful for students interested in learning more about their own cultural heritage and connecting with others who share similar backgrounds. For example, African Student Associations may organize events that celebrate African cultural traditions and help students learn about African history and art, while many Asian American Student Associations offer workshops on traditional dance or cooking that allow students to experience different aspects of Asian culture.

Many colleges also offer some variation of a general Cultural Awareness Club that’s focused on educating students about various cultures and promoting cultural exchange. Through events and discussions, the Cultural Awareness Club teaches students about different traditions, customs, and ways of life. They also often organize cultural field trips in which students can experience different cultures firsthand to deepen their understanding.

Leadership organizations

In addition to promoting diversity and inclusivity, clubs like Student Government also provide students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain hands-on experience in a variety of areas. Through involvement in these types of clubs, students can enhance their communication, organizational, and teamwork skills while preparing for success in their future careers and working with people from a variety of backgrounds. For students who aspire to become leaders in their communities and industries, joining a leadership organization in college provides a valuable platform for building their leadership experience and developing skills necessary for success.

Student clubs play an important role in promoting diversity and inclusivity on college campuses. By providing a supportive environment, these groups enable students from different cultural backgrounds to come together and learn from one another. Whether you’re interested in exploring your cultural heritage or learning about other cultures, there are a wealth of opportunities for growth and development. By fostering inclusive and welcoming environments on campus, colleges mold students who are ready to contribute to a more diverse society.

Looking for a great school that supports students from all types of backgrounds? Check out all our featured Diversity colleges and request more information in one click!

10 Ways to Be a True Ally on Your College Campus

2026-04-24T23:19:47.387865-04:00

Living on a college campus presents many challenges but also gives you several opportunities to stand up for your beliefs. Being an ally for anyone often means operating in spaces where marginalized voices need your help to be heard or for a movement to be taken seriously. It’s vital to amplify others but not overshadow them. Here are some easy ways you can start being the best ally possible during your life on campus and beyond.

1. Learn the history

Marginalized groups typically have rich histories. Take time to learn about them by seeking resources that catalog everything without leaving out even the most minor details. You'll want to know how equality has prevailed over the years and how recent the biggest movements are. Even though the fight for equality hasn't ended, knowing the history can help you gain perspective and become a better ally and advocate. The voices of those in privileged positions carry weight in spaces where people don't take marginalized voices seriously. So it's always important to know what you're talking about!

2. Understand your privilege

A crucial part of understanding marginalized groups' struggles is to evaluate your own privilege. Have you ever been discriminated against because of the color of your skin? Did you ever feel the anxiety of coming out to your parents? Unless you've experienced discrimination based on something you can't change, you can never fully understand—but you can recognize that you’ve received opportunities others didn't. You'll then know why advocating for those whose voices are suppressed is so important.

3. Listen to others

One simple way to be an excellent ally is to listen. This means being open to correction and understanding that you may need to hear some upsetting stories to understand how they have shaped who someone has become. It also provides clarification and helps you understand your conversation partner in the wider context of societal issues and even parts of yourself. Always practice active listening to understand how you can make an effective difference.

4. Start the conversation

People have enough to deal with at school without worrying about educating others all the time. Many marginalized individuals are tired of bearing the burden of teaching about diversity as it affects their stress and focus on other things like schoolwork. So don’t wait for your friends to bring up important topics and current events—start a conversation after you have educated yourself on the topic. At the same time, you should be careful not to speak on behalf of marginalized voices when discussing movements and why equality is important.

5. Learn to be okay with feeling uncomfortable

You're going to find yourself in situations that make you uncomfortable as you become a better ally. Some discussions may feel too much to handle sometimes, but you need to learn to deal with it. Being uncomfortable proves something needs to change, and you should be receptive to that feedback. Learning about how to be socially aware and better terms to use are both essential to your growth.

6. Get involved

College campuses offer countless ways to get involved in activism. You might join an organization that uplifts marginalized voices or volunteer for good causes to demonstrate your passion. You can also participate in diversity and inclusion trainings whenever possible or relevant. That way, you'll always work to beat your biases and become a better human being.

7. Follow diverse accounts online

With all the time we spend online, it’s important to be intentional with the curated news we’re seeing and what we feed our minds with. Comb through your social media following lists and unfollow the accounts that don't serve you or your personal growth. Similarly, get recommendations for websites championing diversity so you can stay updated on the latest information. Your campus might even have some recommendations for social media accounts, YouTube channels, or podcasts to pay attention to. Varying the voices you listen to and the news you consume can help you understand the world around you better.

8. Keep up with the news

Be sure to keep up with the news not only through social media but through more traditional means as well. Avoiding headlines and difficult discussions is insulating while understanding the struggles of a marginalized group can help you know where you're needed and what you can do. Knowing what's going on in the world can also help you have better conversations and work toward stopping injustice.

9. Don't make it a performance

Many people jump on allyship trends to "prove" they're allies, and it typically comes off as performative without doing much to contribute to a cause. One example is the Blackout Tuesday that happened on Instagram in 2020. The black squares were posted by many trying to be allies in solidarity, but they took up space in crucial hashtags—like #BLM—that contained helpful information, making it more difficult to access. Allies should always stop and consider their actions carefully so something doesn't appear performative. Linking to resources in your story or bio might be more helpful than posting a black square and cluttering hashtags.

10. Become a better bystander

Don’t be afraid to speak up for others! You don't need to step into something in the moment if it's unsafe, but you can take steps to educate or correct someone after the fact. Intervening as a bystander can lessen the harm done to someone through hurtful words or a tricky situation. For example, if someone says something distasteful in class, confront them afterward and tell them how their comment could hurt people. Another good option is to talk to the victim who was affected. Let them know you don't feel the same way and are there to support them.

Allyship isn't passive. You must be in the thick of things, advocating for people when they can't or don't feel safe to stand up for themselves. You'll have plenty of chances on your college campus to increase your awareness. Just remember to be active in the community and you'll have a great semester while showing your support for the fight for equality.

Find more advice on being an ally and supporting diverse students in our College Diversity section.

5 Thoughtful Tips to Build Better Cultural and Social Awareness in School

2026-04-24T23:19:47.384225-04:00

The United States is a cultural melting pot, and college campuses have largely helped facilitate their own microcosms of diversity and interconnectedness through the cultural exchange of ideas between diverse students. For some, college is the first place in which they have the opportunity to interact with students of varying classes, races, cultures, and ethnicities—demographics they weren’t exposed to in their hometowns—and it can be difficult to navigate this diverse environment with care. College gives students the space to develop cultural competency skills while also learning how to advocate for different social issues pertaining to racism, sexism, xenophobia, and more. And campuses have long acted as spaces for student activism and resistance, from the Black Campus Movement in the 1960s to modern student rallying around social issues like the Israel-Hamas war and gun control. Are you looking for ways to be more sensitive when discussing and writing about diversity and social issues as a student? Here are five things to keep in mind.

1. Avoid a color-blind approach

Anti-DEI legislation has forced a lot of Americans to downplay or completely erase the role that race plays in particular situations or social problems. In a country founded on systemic racism and cultural exclusion, that continues to play a role in the social and economic outcomes of people of color today; in fact, data shows that we still see disparate outcomes by race when it comes to Black women’s treatment in health care, Black students’ college enrollment and graduation rates, and more. Adopting a color-blind approach to any social problem misrepresents the actual problem and introduces biases from the majority population. Whether the issue is health care, crime, or education, make sure you do your research and understand what role race plays in producing both positive and negative outcomes before sharing an opinion on a subject.

2. Speak from your own experience

Our own individual experiences are what make us unique, and those stories allow us to understand how other people’s backgrounds influence how they view and interpret the world. However, it’s important to remember your experiences are not reflective of the larger social group you may represent. For minority groups in particular, it’s often easy for people to see them as a spokesperson for their entire race, ethnicity, or religious group. When telling your story, make sure you clearly acknowledge that your feelings are formed by your own personal experiences and should not be extrapolated to similar populations. It’s also critical for us as listeners to avoid painting a broad brush and assuming an individual story can be applied to other members of the same group.

3. Make room for multiple perspectives

The beauty of student discourse is you don’t all think the same, and it’s your unique identity that helps inform how you think. When talking about social issues, it’s important to make space for others to contribute to the conversation in a way that is inviting and welcoming. Making room for multiple perspectives does not mean creating space for hate speech; it means being a critical thinker and utilizing empathetic listening to ensure all perspectives are heard and respected. As an example, recently immigrated students may feel differently about the general topic of immigration compared to those who are permanent residents; similarly, US-born Black students may feel different about reparations than African students. It’s important to create space for multiple people and viewpoints when discussing or writing about a social issue. Invite others to weigh in based on their own personal experiences if they’re not speaking up while also ensuring that people maintain civility and respect for one another.

4. Only rely on factual, reputable sources

There is an infinite amount of information online that shapes public opinion, and it can be hard to decipher truth from fiction. Inaccurate information only creates narratives around false biases that can be harmful to many groups of people. Reliable information may come from different sources such as scholarly, peer-reviewed studies and books, magazine articles, and newspapers from well-established companies. When reviewing a source, pay attention to the following criteria:

Authorship: Who is the author, and what are their credentials? What’s their reputation? What was the purpose of the author writing this piece—to teach, present research, or entertainment?
Accuracy: Does the author provide citations or link to existing research or studies? Is the information biased?
Currency: Is the topic at hand constantly evolving? No social issue is ever stagnant, so it’s important to search for the most recent information and developments.

5. Frame your contributions as a learning experience

No one is ever an expert on any topic, and as you hear more and more about social and cultural issues around the world and around you, it’s helping shape your knowledge and worldview. Whether writing or speaking on a social issue, be sure to preface your statements by acknowledging that you are speaking from your own experience but also value the opinions of others. Make it clear you want to expand your perspective. Framing your opinions as learning experiences invites others to share and demystifies the idea that someone must be an expert on a particular issue to contribute to a discussion.

Discussing social or cultural issues can be nerve-wracking, as you may be fearful of saying the wrong thing and hurting someone. Using these tips is a great way to maintain a level of sensitivity and feel confident in speaking your mind while being respectful of others.

One way to improve your cultural competency is to make sure you attend a supportive college! Check out our article on A More Diverse College Search: How to Find Colleges With Strong DEI Efforts.

15+ Books and Movies Celebrating AAPI Heritage to Check Out Now

2026-04-24T23:19:47.380493-04:00

You know by now our favorite way to celebrate diverse communities is by sharing our top recommendations with you—whether it’s books, movies, music, or podcasts! May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which means this list of recommendations could be exhaustive; there are so many incredible cultures represented among Asian American and Pacific Islander people, and their contributions to art and society are far reaching. Here are a few amazing books and movies created by AAPI people, plus a few bonus recs featuring authors and filmmakers from other countries.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

If you haven’t seen the award-winning film Everything Everywhere All at Once, fix that immediately! This absurdist comedy-drama follows a Chinese immigrant woman—played by Academy Award–winning Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh—who is swept into a multidimensional battle to save the universe that shows her the types of lives she could’ve led had she made different choices. The critically acclaimed movie was cowritten, produced, and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, professionally known as the “Daniels.” The pair of directors also frequently work with producer Jonathan Wang; Kwan and Wang are both Taiwanese Americans.

Image courtesy of A24 Films

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier

What’s the price you’d pay for a wish? Dragonfruit is a young adult romantic fantasy rooted in Pacific Islander mythology about rivaling Island rulers seeking the eggs of seadragons, called dragonfruit, which have the ability to undo a person’s greatest sorrow. The novel is written by Makiia Lucier, an author from Guam who holds degrees in Journalism and Library Science from the University of Oregon and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She’s also penned the Isle of Blood and Stone duology and the novel A Death-Struck Year.

Image courtesy of Clarion Books

Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner

Originally published as an essay under the same name in 2018, Crying in H Mart is a powerful exploration of navigating the difficulties of a mother-daughter relationship and grief after loss. Author Michelle Zauner, a South Korean American singer and guitarist of the music project Japanese Breakfast, discusses what life was like growing up as one of a few Asian American kids at school in Eugene, Oregon, and the complicated process of grieving her mother’s death through her connection to food. If you’re looking for a moving story about a woman seeking her identity in both self and culture, this award-winning memoir is for you.

Image courtesy of Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

Pixar’s Turning Red

Let’s take a trip up North to go on an adventure with 13-year-old Mei Lee, who discovers that she turns into a giant red panda when her teenage hormones start to kick in and her emotions get revved up. Turning Red is a fun coming-of-age story cowritten by Chinese Canadian director Domee Shi and Korean American screenwriter Julia Cho, with additional story development from producer Sarah Streicher. The film features the voice acting talents of up-and-coming American actress Rosalie Chiang, whose parents are from Taiwan and Singapore, and superstar Korean Canadian actress Sandra Oh. You’ll be turning red if you’re caught slipping on this instant classic. (Bonus recommendation if you’re a poetry lover: Rosalie has published two collections of poems!)

Image courtesy of Disney & Pixar

“Story of Your Life” and Exhalation by Ted Chiang

Ted Chiang is a Chinese American science-fiction writer who has a prolific body of work, including the 1998 short story “Story of Your Life”—which was later included in his collection Stories of Your Life and Others and developed into the 2016 film Arrival starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner. In his 2019 short-story collection Exhalation, Chiang weaves poignant stories that explore some of humanity’s oldest questions while reaching far to the end of the universe. These are just two of many examples of his incredible writing—he really showcases the power of a good short story. Bonus fun fact: Chiang graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Brown University.

Image courtesy of Vintage Books & Penguin Random House

Disney’s Moana and Lilo & Stitch

We can’t discuss Pacific Islander culture and not bring up what may be two of the best Disney movies ever (hot take). Everyone and their mother knows about Moana, so do we really need to tell you to watch it again? You get to enjoy the angelic voice of Auli‘i Cravalho, who is of Chinese, Native Hawaiian, Puerto Rican, Portuguese, and Irish descent; a larger-than-life depiction of demigod Maui from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who is half Samoan; and the incredible talents of Opetaia Foa‘i, a Samoan-born composer, musician, and singer who collaborated with Lin-Manuel Miranda on the film’s music.

Moana deserves her flowers, sure—but let’s not forget the movie that brought Hawaiian culture to Disney first: Lilo & Stitch! Back in the early 2000s, the film taught audiences that “Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.” For many, this was an impactful first exposure to the beautiful culture of Hawai’i tied with the fun antics of a classic kids’ movie. The film features the voice acting talents of Hawai’i-born Filipino Chinese actress Tia Carrere and Hawaiian Chinese actor Jason Scott Lee.

Images courtesy of Disney

The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He

Nominated for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction novel in 2021, The Ones We’re Meant to Find is a dystopian novel about lost identities and family, and crossing oceans to find them both. Author Joan He—a Chinese American author who studied Psychology and Chinese History at the University of Pennsylvania—weaves a tale of environmental destruction and sisterly bonds upon the backdrop of an eco-tech city. She’s also written a duology since the publication of her debut novel Descendant of the Crane in 2019.

Image courtesy of Roaring Brook Press & Macmillan Publishers

Miracle Creek and Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

Focusing on family dynamics under the unique circumstances of childhood illness and living with disabilities, Miracle Creek and Happiness Falls are both captivating and thought-provoking literary mystery novels, crafted with Angie Kim’s perfect balance of prose and thrills, law and medical malpractice, and grief and loss. As a preteen, Kim moved from Seoul, South Korea, to Baltimore, Maryland, and went on to attend both Stanford University and Harvard Law School; become editor of the Harvard Law Review; and practice as a trial lawyer at Williams & Connolly LLP. She’s a breakout author to keep your eye on!

Images courtesy of Macmillan Publishers
and Hogarth Press & Penguin Random House, respectively

Minari

Minari is a 2020 award-winning drama written and directed by Korean American filmmaker Lee Isaac Chun. The film follows a Korean American family chasing their own American dream on their new farm in Arkansas. This poignant look at a portrait of a family trying to build a home stars Korean American actor Steven Yeun (of The Walking Dead fame) and South Korean actresses Han Ye-ri and Youn Yuh-jung. Youn took home the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Minari in 2021, making her the first Korean performer to win an Academy Award for acting. If you missed this film when the world started falling apart, now is the time to revisit it.

Image courtesy of Plan B Entertainment

Recommendations by non-American creators

We know this month is about the contribution of American citizens who come from Asian and Pacific Islander backgrounds, but there are just so many movies and books created by incredible visionaries, that we thought we’d share a few more by authors and filmmakers from other countries.

Grass is a powerful antiwar, antitrafficking graphic novel set during World War II, written by South Korean author Keum Suk Gendry-Kim and translated by Korean Canadian writer Janet Hong.
The Three-Body Problem is a science-fiction novel written by Chinese author Liu Cixin and translated by Chinese American author Ken Liu. The novel was adapted into a Chinese TV show in 2023 and an American Netflix TV series in 2024.
The Handmaiden is a psychological historical thriller set in Japanese-occupied Korea during the early to mid-1900s that’s written, directed, and produced by Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook.

One month hardly seems sufficient to fully grasp the richness of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures as well as the remarkable impact that AAPI creators have made, particularly in literature and film. From heartfelt memoirs to gripping novels to groundbreaking movies, take some time to delve into these narratives that transcend borders and offer powerful stories that everyone can relate to or learn from.

Find even more ways to celebrate, honor, and learn about Asian and Pacific Islander culture and communities year-round on ��Vlog!

15+ Great Books to Celebrate Pride Any Time of Year

2026-04-24T23:19:47.376638-04:00

One of the best ways to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community is by reading their stories. Whether you’re interested in queer memoirs, heartwarming romances, or diverse fantasy novels with casts from all walks of life, sharing stories of LGBTQ+ people in many contexts helps the community feel represented in mainstream media while encouraging others to be better allies. Whoever you are, picking up a new author or two is a great way to show your support this Pride season and beyond. Check out these top recommendations and learn more about the authors at the end of each synopsis!

Note: The majority of these authors identify as LGBTQ+, but at the end, you’ll also find a bonus section of recommendations by cis-hetero allies who make inclusivity a priority in their writing.

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

George M. Johnson: Activist. Journalist. LGBTQIA+ member. Growing up, they were just Matthew—a smart, funny kid with a lot of potential. In their memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue, Johnson explores their childhood and college years in a series of essays that act as a love letter to young LGBTQIA+ people who need hope. This memoir will make you laugh and shed tears at the life Johnson has lived. If you prefer audiobooks, Johnson narrates the book themselves (common for memoirs), infusing their personality and confidence into their performance. One of the most frequently targeted books for banning in libraries, this memoir is important, powerful, and beautifully written.

About the author: George M. Johnson is the author of five books and identifies as queer and nonbinary. Their most recent release is a second memoir titled We Are Not Broken, which further explores Black boyhood and their grandmother, Nanny.

Image courtesy of Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Macmillan Publishers

The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire

Seanan McGuire is the master of destroying you emotionally then making you hopeful again—and the Wayward Children series is no different. Starting with the novel Every Heart a Door, readers follow many characters at Eleanor West’s School for Wayward Children, a place where you go after finding doors to other worlds and being unceremoniously kicked out again. Each novella recounts the circumstances that led a lost child to find their door and the trials they face to Be Sure they want to leave their old life behind. Throughout the series, we follow characters who are trans, asexual, queer, nonbinary, and more, exploring these experiences through a fantasy lens and stripping them down through beautiful prose that hits all the right chords.

About the author: Seanan McGuire is a five-time award-winning author of 91 books; received a degree in Folklore and Herpetology from the University of California, Berkely; and identifies as queer.

Image courtesy of Tor Publishing Group and Macmillan Publishers

Red, White, & Royal Blue and One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

It’s likely you’ve heard of Red, White & Royal Blue, with the hugely popular 2023 Amazon Prime movie starring pop culture heartthrobs Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine, plus Hollywood powerhouse Uma Thurman. If you haven’t, you should be rushing to read it! It’s a charming forbidden love story where the US president’s son falls in love with the Prince of England and how they navigate this tricky social faux pas. On the other hand, you could also pick up One Last Stop and follow the story of August and Jane, star-crossed lovers on a subway ride that transcends time. Either way, these books will make your heart soar with every foot-kicking, hair-twirling, flirty moment.

About the author: Casey McQuiston is the author of three novels and graduated from Louisiana State University with a BA in Journalism. McQuiston, who identifies as queer and nonbinary, credits queer fiction for giving them a safe space to explore their identity at a young age, wanting to provide the same for other young people with their novels.

Image courtesy of St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Publishers

Transgender History by Susan Stryker

Transgender people continue to have their rights stripped away and face social persecution every day. Now, more than ever, it’s important to educate ourselves on the history of transgenderism in the US. Spanning from the mid-20^th century to today (with the second edition updates), Transgender History: The Roots of Today’s Revolution by Susan Stryker is the quintessential historical text to begin with; it will help you understand the basics of gender issues and the events that have caused radical change. This book is comprehensive with extensive research, quotes from speeches, excerpts from transgender memoirs, and more—truly a crash course on being a more aware ally for the trans community.

About the author: Susan O’Neal Stryker is a professor of Gender & Women’s Studies at the University of Arizona as well as an award-winning author and filmmaker. Stryker holds a BA from the University of Oklahoma and a PhD from UC Berkeley. She is a lesbian transgender woman as well as a leading scholar on transgender history.

Image courtesy of Hatchett Book Group

Under the Whispering Door and In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

You may have read The House in the Cerulean Sea by now (in all its cozy, gay glory), but have you checked out any of TJ Klune’s other books? In Under the Whispering Door, a man comes to terms with his death in the afterlife guided by a reaper who becomes so much more than just a guide to the beyond. For science fiction fans,In the Lives of Puppets explores the nature of asexuality and finding contentment in love and relationships outside of sexual desire through the lens of the last human on Earth in a world full of robots. Some of the other stories on this list can be heavy, so if lighthearted joy is what you’re looking for, these stories are for you.

About the author: TJ Klune is a three-time award-winning Canadian author of 34 fantasy and romantic fiction novels. His first novel was published in 2011 and was noted as one of the top LGBTQ+ books that year. Klune identifies as asexual and is candid in interviews about how his queer identity influences his writing and stories.

Images courtesy of Tor Publishing Group and Macmillan Publishers

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

As with any other relationship, LGBTQ+ people face the threat of abusive partners and trauma—often with identity-related consequences. In the Dream House is not a memoir for the faint of heart. Finding a way to articulate her painful experiences, Carmen Maria Machado take readers on a dream-like and wholly unique experience in an effort to make them understand the pain she carries from her long-term same-sex relationship. She uses both classic horror tropes and an inventive, fractured writing style to create a memoir unlike any other you’ll read.

About the author: Carmen Maria Machado is a multi-award-winning author, penning essays and criticisms for acclaimed publications such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, and more. She graduated from American University, earned her MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa, is a writer in residence at the University of Pennsylvania, and lives with her wife in-state.

Image courtesy of Graywolf Press

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab

VE Schwab is another prolific writer with many novels under her belt that span genres and generations. A popular novel during the 2020 pandemic lockdown, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue sees the titular character making a pact with a god to escape the shackles of an arranged marriage—but as they say, be careful what you wish for. Addie’s request leaves her adrift for an eternity, immortal but with no one able to remember her face or name once she’s gone. Spanning centuries and romantic partners of all genders and backgrounds, this story shows readers how many shapes love can come in and the sacrifices you sometimes have to make for the love and life you want.

About the author: Victoria Schwab (aka VE Schwab) has written more than 20 novels and identifies as gay. In 2009, she published her first novel before she even graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a BFA.

Image courtesy of Tor Publishing Group and Macmillan Publishers

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

Who doesn’t love a little historical romance? Hello, Bridgerton! And queer romance? Sign me up! In this spin on the classic legends of King Arthur, descendant and future lord Arthur and his arranged fiancé Gwendoline find themselves in the fake-marriage scenario of the century when they both discover the other’s secret love affairs and longings mere hours before their wedding. Seeing an opportunity to be allies, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a fun, romantic, sword-clashing found-family story about choosing your own path to happiness when others have already tried to make the choice for you.

About the author: Lex Croucher is a nonbinary British author of seven books, one a nonfiction young adult (YA) self-help book and six fiction YA and adult novels. They gained experience in social media and non-governmental organizations prior to pivoting to writing as a career.

Image courtesy of Wednesday Books and Macmillan Publishers

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

If I had a nickel for every award-winning LGBTQ+ cozy robot book out there, I’d only have two nickels, but it’s awesome that it happened twice. Becky Chambers brings us the world of Panga in A Psalm for the Wild-Built, in which we follow the tea monk Dex on a life-altering day when a sentient robot—long thought to be myth—approaches them to ask the question, “What do people need?” Exploring the nature of the human experience in an open and inclusive world where all genders and sexualities are represented, Dex goes on a journey of self-identity and purpose in this heartwarming fantasy beloved by the masses.

About the author: Becky Chambers is a multi-award-winning author of eight novels and various short stories. She is an advocate for queer rights, lives with her wife in California, and attended the University of San Francisco.

Image courtesy of Tor Publishing Group and Macmillan Publishers

The Burning Kingdoms trilogy by Tasha Suri

Starting with The Jasmine Throne, The Burning Kingdoms series follows Malini and Priya on a quest to change the fate of their empire, facing down Malini’s own flesh and blood—her dictatorial brother who sits on the throne—to do so. This queer fantasy romance is inspired by the rich history and culture of India, the author’s familial homeland. The series continues in The Oleander Sword and The Lotus Empire as Malini and Priya seek vengeance and power against their oppressors, further learning just how intertwined their destinies always were and forever will be. If you’re looking for a lot of action and some badass lead women, pick this series up sooner rather than later.

About the author: Tasha Suri is an award-winning British fantasy author who identifies as queer and studied English and Creative Writing at the University of Warwick. She’s written seven books, including a novella in the ongoing Doctor Who collection of independent novels.

Image courtesy of Orbit Books and Little, Brown Book Group

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

We need more Native American representation in literature; that’s just the truth. And author Moniquill Blackgoose is giving us just that with her debut fantasy novel To Shape a Dragon’s Breath. Set at a colonizer-run dragon academy, a young girl named Anequs must struggle to find her place as both a bonded half to a dragon hatchling and as an outsider with a very different understanding of her land than what’s believed by those around her. This queer coming-of-age story with high stakes and high impact explores Indigenous culture, the history of their oppression, and the change we still have yet to see all through a fantasy lens, making for a powerful breakout novel.

About the author: Moniquill Blackgoose is an enrolled member of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts and Rhode Island as well as a descendant of Ousamequin Massasoit. While this is her first novel, Blackgoose has long been a blogger and essayist for Indigenous advocacy and representation.

Image courtesy of Penguin Random House

Additional recommendations by inclusive allies and classic writers

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern is a mysterious, sprawling love story that takes place in a secret underground world of books, stories, lovers, lies, and “ships that sail upon a starless sea.”
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid explores the public perception of bisexuality through the lens of an aging Hollywood starlet who spent her public years marrying men while being in love with the same woman in private most of her life.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldtree is a fun Dungeons & Dragons–esque cozy fantasy novel published in 2022. It follows an orc named Viv after she’s retired from fighting and is finding new purpose in life by becoming a business owner (and maybe falling in love).
Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice is the quintessential gay vampire novel that most people know about. If you’ve never read the book or watched the Tom Cruise/Brad Pitt movie, maybe you’ve heard of the new AMC+ show with Jacob Anderson and Assad Zaman.
Carmilla by Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu is the sapphic vampire novel for you if you’re looking for more gothic horror compared to Rice’s novel. In fact, Carmilla pre-dates not only Interview With the Vampire but the one and only Dracula too!

This list may feel comprehensive already, but I could go on forever about all the great queer novels out there to help guide your way and bring light to your life. I hope you find at least one new favorite here, as many of them are favorites of mine and those of my friends and allies in the LGBTQ+ community. Happy Pride Month!

If you’re a huge bookworm and these recommendations simply aren’t enough for you, we have a lot more great book suggestions where these came from. Check them out now!

����Vlog: Campus Culture Blog

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heroes of History: 5 Incredible Figures

Kalpana Chawla

Yuna Kim

Cecil Rajendra

Arlen Siu

George Jarrett Helm Jr.

Sources

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heroes of History: 5 More Inspiring Figures

Josefa Llanes Escoda

Sombath Somphone

Dr. Me-Iung Ting

Philip Vera Cruz

Grace Lee Boggs

Connect with colleges mentioned in this article

Sources

5 Great Reasons to Consider Attending an HBCU

1. Affordability

2. Inclusivity

3. Academics

4. Campus community

5. Long-term connections

A More Diverse College Search: How to Find Colleges With Strong DEI Efforts

Resources for a diversity-first college search

Topics to discuss with admission offices

A critical look at college admission standards

8 Great Podcasts to Help You Learn and Celebrate Black History

1. Black History Year

2. Witness Black History

3. School Colors

4. Balanced Black Girl

5. Black Girl Blueprint

6. TransLash Podcast

7. Blackbelt Voices

8. Intersectionality Matters!

Fostering Diversity: College Clubs That Welcome Students of All Cultures

The importance of clubs that foster diversity

Clubs you could join in college

International Student Association

Cultural awareness clubs

Leadership organizations

10 Ways to Be a True Ally on Your College Campus

1. Learn the history

2. Understand your privilege

3. Listen to others

4. Start the conversation

5. Learn to be okay with feeling uncomfortable

6. Get involved

7. Follow diverse accounts online

8. Keep up with the news

9. Don't make it a performance

10. Become a better bystander

5 Thoughtful Tips to Build Better Cultural and Social Awareness in School

1. Avoid a color-blind approach

2. Speak from your own experience

3. Make room for multiple perspectives

4. Only rely on factual, reputable sources

5. Frame your contributions as a learning experience

15+ Books and Movies Celebrating AAPI Heritage to Check Out Now

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier

Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner

Pixar’s Turning Red

“Story of Your Life” and Exhalation by Ted Chiang

Disney’s Moana and Lilo & Stitch

The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He

Miracle Creek and Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

Minari

Recommendations by non-American creators

15+ Great Books to Celebrate Pride Any Time of Year

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire

Red, White, & Royal Blue and One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Transgender History by Susan Stryker

Under the Whispering Door and In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

The Burning Kingdoms trilogy by Tasha Suri

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