Cultural Programs
Multicultural Affairs provides a safe space for diverse American Ethnic groups to commune together in a shared learning environment. Located in the Milo Bail Student Center, Multicultural Affairs, partners with the University and other valued community partners to ensure a holistic educational experience.
Advisors and staff assist students as they navigate, define, and attain personal and educational goals. We welcome all students, faculty, and staff to the programs we host. Student leaders, along with the support of advisors, plan events to highlight, educate, and enjoy the diverse ethnic groups we serve.
Hispanic Heritage Month: Sep. 15-Oct. 15
Each year, we observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Please join the Office of Multicultural Affairs as we celebrate this historic month.
Wednesday, Sep. 15
Fiesta on the Plaza
Kick off Hispanic Heritage month with Fiesta on the Plaza! Celebrate with delicious, FREE food and music. Maria Bonita will be serving up a variety of delicious authentic Mexican tacos. As you eat, listen to the incredible live performances of DJ Deaf Audio and Mariachi Los Andariegos. First come, first served. Must have MavCard or NUID.
11 A.M.- 1 P.M. | Milo Bail Student Center
Heart of Omaha: Hispanic Heritage Food Tours
Get to know Omaha one bite at a time! Discover the Hispanic food scene at The Heart of Omaha Food Tour as we bring you to the area's most historic and diverse neighborhoods rich with culture and history. Explore these incredible locally-owned Latin American restaurants and learn about new cultures and authentic cuisines. Mavericks will receive a dish at each of these local restaurants throughout our community. From refreshing ice cream to mouthwatering pupusas you do not want to miss out. Must have MavCard or NUID.
Tuesday, Sep. 21
Heart of Omaha: Hispanic Heritage Food Tours
11 A.M.- 4 P.M. | Tipico Helado, 5210 S. 21 St. Omaha, NE 68107
Tuesday, Sep. 28
Heart of Omaha: Hispanic Heritage Food Tours
11 A.M.- 4 P.M. | SalMex, 709 S 24th St. Omaha, NE 68102
Tuesday, Oct. 5
Heart of Omaha: Hispanic Heritage Food Tours
11 A.M.- 4 P.M. | Chinchorro Boricua, 1118 Howard St. Omaha, NE 68102
Tuesday, Oct. 12
Hispanic Heritage Month Keynote Speaker: Saul Flores
Saul Flores walked 5,328 miles through ten countries to document how grueling and dangerous the journey of immigrants to the United States can be and to raise money for an elementary school in Atencingo, Mexico. The story of his journey, accompanied by a series of photographs, captures the essence of the people, communities, and cultures he encountered along the way. To attend this event participants must register.
6 P.M. | Milo Bail Student Center, 207 Ballroom
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month which is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. The Office of Multicultural Affairs would like to invite you to help us celebrate Native American Heritage Month through a variety of events taking place throughout the month.
Tuesday, Nov. 9
Native American Heritage Month Keynote Speaker: Susana Geliga
Nationally and internationally recognized for her work with preserving languages and cultures of Indigenous people, Dr. Geliga is a leadership expert who challenges audiences to leverage their focus and view life through the lens of an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Susana brings unique perspectives from creating the Little White Buffalo Project, a Lakota language and cultural preservation non-profit program, and more. Knowing that excellence is a journey and not a destination, she is passionate about education and helping shatter stereotypes in society. To attend this event participants must register.
5:30 - 6:30 P.M. | Milo Bail Student Center, 207 Ballroom
Friday, Nov. 12
Rock Your Mocs
Join MCA, ITSC, and YoungBucks as we celebrate and stand united through tribal individuality, symbolically wearing moccasins or awareness ribbons, honoring our ancestors and indigenous people worldwide with a round dance.
Rock Your Mocs is a worldwide Native American and Indigenous People social media event held annually during Native American Heritage Month.
To honor Native American culture, participants wear their moccasins or a turquoise awareness ribbon, take a photo or create a short video, and add the hashtag #ROCKYOURMOCS to an online photo album for the world to see and enjoy.
Stop by the Office of Multicultural Affairs to pick up a ribbon and show your support!
All day| Milo Bail Student Center Atrium
Monday, Nov. 1
Heart of Omaha: Native American Heritage Food Tour
11 A.M.-4 P.M. | Milo Bail Student Center Food Court
Free Indian Tacos will be served in the Milo Bail Student Center Food Court to the first 100 people who retrieve a ticket from the Office of Multicultural Affairs. First come, first served. Must have MavCard or NUID to receive a ticket.
Tuesday, Nov. 9
Heart of Omaha: Native American Heritage Food Tour
11 A.M. - 2 P.M. | Milo Bail Student Center Food Court
Free Indian Tacos will be served in the Milo Bail Student Center Food Court to the first 100 people who retrieve a ticket from the Office of Multicultural Affairs. First come, first served. Must have your MavCard or NUID to receive a ticket.
Monday, Nov. 15
Heart of Omaha: Native American Heritage Food Tour
11 A.M. - 2 P.M. | Ramona's Mexican Restaurant, 8510 North 30 St. 68112
Get to know Omaha one bite at a time! Discover a dish that is a staple in many Native American and Indigenous homes. Mavericks will receive on free Indian Taco from Ramona's! First come, first served. Must have MavCard or NUID.
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of Blacks in U.S. history celebrated throughout the month of February. Please join the Office of Multicultural Affairs as we celebrate this notable month.
Tuesday, February 1
Black History Month Kick-off
10 A.M. - 2 P.M. | Milo Bail Student Center Atrium
Kickoff February with the Office of Multicultural Affairs as we illuminate Black History Month! Stop by the MCA office to pick up your celebratory gift bag with special mementos inside. Available while supplies last.
Wednesday, February 2
A Conversation on Anti-Blackness with Dr. Kyra Shahid
6 P.M. | Virtual
The Office of Multicultural Affairs, in partnership with The Collaborative, welcomes Dr. Kyra Shahid as our Black History Month Keynote Speaker for a conversation on anti-blackness. We all must acknowledge how racism and anti-Blackness within each of our individual communities have long perpetuated white supremacy and the continued violence against the Black community. Dr. Shahid is the Assistant Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Michigan. As a diversity thought-leader and a purpose-driven educator, Dr. Shahid wholeheartedly believes that a strong sense of identity and purpose is the gateway to reconnecting with the global collective and forging love and justice between communities of difference. Registration required.
The History of Jazz in Omaha
6 - 7 P.M. | Virtual
Join us for a talk on "The History of Jazz in Omaha" presented by UNO adjunct professors Justin Payne and Preston Love, Jr. Learn more. This conversation is a part of a year-long series of virtual events marking the 50th anniversary of the Department of Black Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Thursday, February 10
The Role of the Barbershop in the Black Community: A Lecture by Dr. Quincy Mills
6 - 7 P.M. | Virtual
Join us for a talk on "The Role of the Barbershop in the Black Community" presented by Dr. Quincy Mills of the University of Maryland-College Park. This conversation is a part of a year-long series of virtual events marking the 50th anniversary of the Department of Black Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Thursday, February 17
Film Screening: Black Panther
5:30 P.M. | Virtual
After the death of his father, T-Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T'Challa's mettle as king—and as Black Panther—gets tested when he's drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.
Africana Womanism: A Lecture by Dr. Valethia Watkins
6 - 7 P.M. | Virtual
Join us for a talk on "Africana Womanism" presented by Dr. Valethia Watkins of Howard University. This conversation is a part of a year-long series of virtual events marking the 50th anniversary of the Department of Black Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Tuesday, February 22
Sugar Rush
10 A.M. - 2 P.M. | Office of Multicultural Affairs
Take your taste buds on a sweet excursion with Sugar Rush. Join the Office of Multicultural Affairs as we celebrate Black History Month with FREE tantalizing treats from locally owned businesses. Experience refreshing juices from Life Elixir by Susan and a variety of delectable desserts from Soul Brothers Inc. Visit our office on February 22 as we support black entrepreneurship and engage in black culture through food. Registration is required for timed entry. First come, first served.
Thursday, February 24
Black Women's Activism: A Lecture by Dr. Dawne Curry
6 - 7 P.M. | Virtual
Join us for a talk on "Black Women's Activism" presented by Dr. Dawne Curry of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This conversation is a part of a year-long series of virtual events marking the 50th anniversary of the Department of Black Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
MCA Is Giving Away Maverick Basketball Tickets
The Office of Multicultural Affairs will distribute a block of Men's and Women's Maverick Basketball tickets during Black History Month events
- 30 tickets are available for each of the games listed below.
- Tickets must be picked up in the MCA office only.
- Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis.
- Tickets will not be available at Baxter Arena and must be picked up prior to the game.
- Student Ticketing information
- Faculty/ Staff ticketing information
Women's Basketball
Thursday, February 3- UNO vs. North Dakota State
- 7 P.M. | Baxter Arena
- UNO vs. North Dakota
- 1 P.M. | Baxter Arena
- UNO vs. Western Illinois
- 7 P. M. | Baxter Arena
Men's Basketball
Saturday, January 29- UNO vs. Kansas City
- 7 P.M. | Baxter Arena
- UNO vs. South Dakota
- 7 P.M. | Baxter Arena
- UNO vs. Denver
- 7 P.M. | Baxter Arena
Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month-- A celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The month is in tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success. Throughout April, the Office of Multicultural Affairs will be hosting several incredible events celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Kickoff
Monday, April 6 | 12 P.M.
Milo Bail Student Center Atrium
Kickoff Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and special guest Kokyo Taiko. The group engages in Wadaiko, a Japanese style drumming, which has been described as dynamic, thunderous, and powerful; the sound can be felt in your soul. Come join us as Kokyo Taiko brings this exciting area of choreographed drumming to UNO.
Who Killed Vincent Chin? 40th Anniversary Film Screening
Thursday, April 14 | 5:30 P.M.
Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom
In 1982, Vincent Chin was brutally murdered in the streets of Detroit. Although his murderer confessed, he never spent a day in jail. As we approach the 40th Anniversary of Vicent Chin's death we revisit the Academy-Award nominated film, Who Killed Vincent Chin? This gripping film relentlessly probes the implications of the murder in the streets of Detroit, for the families of those involved, and for the American justice system. Please join us for this important film. Snacks will be provided.
Kumu Hina: Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Keynote Speaker
Thursday, April 28 | 6 P.M.
Online via Zoom
Register Now
The Office of Multicultural Affairs and The Office of Spirit & Tradition are thrilled to host Hinaleimoana Kwai Kong Wong-Kalu, known affectionately as Kumu Hina, as our Asian and Pacific Islander Keynote Speaker. A native Hawaiian māhū, she uses traditional culture to inspire students. She is known for her work as a filmmaker and community leader in the field of Kanaka Maoli language and cultural preservation. Described as a "powerful performer with a clear, strong voice", she has been hailed as a cultural icon and is a prominent leader in our community today.
Heart of Omaha: Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Food Tour
Get to know Omaha one bite at a time! The Heart of Omaha Food Tour will bring you to the area’s most historic and diverse neighborhoods as we dine at various incredible Asian and Pacific Islander-owned restaurants. Mavericks will receive a tasty treat as they explore each of these local restaurants throughout our community. MavCard or NUID required.
The Bánh Mì Shop
Tuesday, April 12
11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.
923 Galvin Rd S #101 Bellevue, NE 68005
Dive into an amazing bánh mì sandwich. A variety of these Vietnamese sandwiches will be offered. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
PappaRoti
Tuesday, April 19
11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.
723 N 114th St Omaha, NE 68154
Come out for Malaysian coffee-covered buns. A variety of options and topping combinations are available. Accompanied with a medium coffee or tea.
Kathmandu Momo Station (Inner Rail Location)
Tuesday, April 26
11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.
1911 S 67th St Omaha, NE 68106
Try out some incredible Nepali street food with some delicious momos, a Himalayan dumpling. Chicken, pork, or vegan fillings available.
El Basha Mediterranean Grill
Tuesday, May 3
11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.
7503 Pacific St, Omaha, NE 68114
Grab some incredible Mediterranean food! Offering chicken, gyros, hummus, and veggie wrap combos. Vegetarian and vegan options available.