Unity Block Party Rescheduled for Sept. 22

Due to Thursday's weather forecast of rain, possibly including thundershowers, and wind, the Unity Block Party is postponed. A makeup date has not been determined.

Old Dominion University will celebrate and welcome back its many unique and diverse campus communities with its inaugural Unity Block Party on Sept. 22 at Kaufman Mall.

The event was originally set for Sept. 13, but was rescheduled due to weather.

From 5 to 7 p.m., students, faculty and staff will be able to connect and enjoy music, performances, creative activities and food. The party is coordinated by the Office of Intercultural Relations in Student Engagement and Enrollment Services (SEES).

Kaufman Mall will be transformed into 13 "neighborhoods," with each area reflecting student organizations, chaplain neighbors and academic and university departments. Students can stroll along "Reignwood Drive" to visit with Greek Life and student organizations, take a spin through "Big Blue's Playground" to learn about recreation and wellness at ODU and visit "Crown Heights" to connect with first-year and first-generation Latinx, Black and Foster U students.

The Unity Block Party will also include the Monarchs Give Back: Community Service Initiative. Each neighborhood will collect nonperishable items for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.

"It is a time of festivities and fellowship, which we all need," said Lesa Clark, executive director for the Office of Intercultural Relations. "The 'neighborhood' concept was designed so that we can visually see our Monarch neighbors and physically visit and form relationships with some of our neighborhoods."

Each neighborhood has captured the vision of what it means to be part of a diverse and inclusive community and is motivated to make this a memorable day for all Monarchs, Clark said.

"We wanted these few hours to be a time for celebrating who we are and to experience the joy of engaging and learning about others," Clark said.