Yakima Valley College’s Diversity Series in partnership with the Associated Students of Yakima Valley College will host Culture Fairs in Yakima and Grandview this February. The free events will showcase a variety of cultures in our community through performances and presentations highlighting the Native American, Filipino, and the Latinx communities.

The events are open to the general public and refreshments will be available. The Grandview Campus fair will also feature a performance by Genius Potential in honor of Black History Month: "Epic Rap Battles of Black History."

Yakima Campus
Tuesday, February 25
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Hopf Union Building, #9

Grandview Campus
Wednesday February 26
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Student Activity Center, Building #55

About the Presenters/Performers

Iksiks Washana’lama, Little Swan Dance Group (Yakima Campus)
The Yakama Nation’s Iksiks Washana’lama, or “Little Swans,” is a collective of girls and young women brought together by the culture, history and language of their Tribe through oral interpretations of songs and dance. The group learns traditional songs, dance and stories that has been passed down to them by their elders and ancestors. Their performances include the traditional Swan Dance as well as other songs and dances. The Little Swans have appeared at many locations throughout Washington State and Northwest, including the Yakima Valley Museum, Yakama Nation Cultural Heritage Center. They have also performed their dances nationally and for national conferences.

Asian Pacific Islander Student Group, Eisenhower High School (Yakima Campus)
This student group promotes awareness of Asian and Pacific Islander cultures, history, and struggles. They also provide a safe space for students to learn about and celebrate their heritage. 

Marivy Vasquez (Both Campuses)
Marivy Vasquez, YVC College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) Director, will take participants through Salsa/Cumbia dancing lessons.

Bessie Bill, Yakama Tribe (Grandview Campus)
Bill is known as a master weaver in the Yakima Valley. She teaches others how to weave, works through future projects, and spends much of her time, well, weaving. Her Yakama name, Wahpeniat, means "One who makes good baskets." Each basket she weaves allows her to engage with her ancestral past, and breathe life into a new tradition.

Genius Potential
Genius Potential is comprised of Bert Gervais (Bert G) and David Horne (Det). Their entertainment-style programming engages students while educating them with real gems to help them thrive in college. The group has toured over 200 schools nationwide and their signature approach of infusing education with hip hop has reached over 100,000 students in 40+ states.

Bert Gervais (Bert G)
Recognized by USA Today, Entrepreneur Magazine and Fox News as one of the top youth leaders in the country, Bert Gervais (a.k.a. “The Hip Hop STEM Guy”) is one of the top speakers on removing mental barriers to academic student success and has been recognized by President Obama for his work with young people. He is a tech entrepreneur who has collaborated with companies such as Google and Facebook in his mission to “make tech cool.” Gervais has also performed songs from his upcoming rap album on the same stages as Drake, J. Cole and John Legend. Gervais is a best-selling author and the executive producer. His travels have allowed him to speak to over 60,000 students in over 40 states.

David Horne (Det)
Det is an in-demand hip hop artist from New York. He holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, and musically, he has toured the country. An engineer by day and motivational rapper by night, Det lives his message of balancing his day job with his daydreams. His witty wordplay and vivid lyrical imagery represent those who choose to pursue their life's passions. He's living proof that one can be smart and look really cool doing it.

The events are part of YVC’s annual Diversity Series, which brings diverse perspectives to everyday topics and push the boundaries of the term beyond race, gender, social class and sexuality.

For more information contact YVC Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Tenya Moravec at 509.494.7958 or tmoravec@yvcc.edu.