Menu Includes:

• Jasmine rice
• Pickled veggies
• Tofu
• Sliders + condiments
• Fresh salad 

Are you a graduating member of our Black, Latine/x, and/or Asian Pacific Islander Desi communities? We want to celebrate you and your achievements!

Undergraduate and graduate students can pick up cords to honor their community as part of their Winter 2025 Commencement celebrations.

Cord Pick-Up Details:

• When: December 8 - December 16, 2025 (during mosaic hours)

• Where: The Mosaic, Commons 2B23

The 2026 Asian Cultural Celebration & Awards will take place on Thursday, May 14, and the 2026 Black & Latine/x Celebration & Awards will take place on Monday, May 18, 2026. More information on these events to come! 

For questions, please contact:

Carolina Silva (she/her)

Graduate Assistant for the Mosaic Center

themosaic@umbc.edu

This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the university's nondiscrimination policy.

December 3 is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities - more than 1 billion people worldwide are in this demographic, the world's largest minority. The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability that affects people around the world.

The theme for 2025 is: Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress, reaffirming the commitment to building a just, inclusive and equitable world.  The theme the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and accessible world for all. It also emphasizes the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives. More information about the UN In-Person New York Commemoration event is from 10-11a.  You can watch it live at the following link: https://zoom.us/j/91600322753.

World AIDS Day is a global movement dedicated to uniting communities in the fight against HIV, honoring the lives lost to AIDS-related illnesses, and standing in solidarity with people living with HIV. Since 1988, this day has brought people together to confront stigma, share knowledge, and reaffirm our commitment to ending the HIV epidemic.

Globally, an estimated 38 million people are living with HIV. More than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS-related illnesses over the past four decades, making it one of the most significant public health challenges in modern history. Thanks to medical advancements, individuals living with HIV today can live long, healthy lives with proper treatment. We now have the tools to stop HIV transmission entirely, yet stigma and misinformation remain major barriers to prevention, care, and equity.

The Red Ribbon, created in 1991 by a group of artists seeking a symbol of compassion and support, has become the universal emblem of HIV awareness. Its bold red color represents the heart, passion, and commitment to supporting those affected by HIV.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity to highlight the real experiences of people living with HIV, celebrate the resilience of affected communities, and encourage the leadership necessary to end stigma and improve access to prevention and care.

UMBC World AIDS Day Event

• Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
• Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Location: The Commons 1A02 (next to the bookstore)

For the past three years, UMBC's Office of Health Promotion has hosted annual World AIDS Day events focused on education, awareness, and testing.

The 2025 World AIDS Day program will be held:

This event includes free, anonymous HIV testing, educational opportunities for reducing risk, and guidance on how to help break the stigma around HIV testing. Participants may also contribute to a panel honoring the AIDS Memorial Quilt, remembering and celebrating the unique lives of those who have been lost to HIV/AIDS.

This event is open to all individuals in accordance with UMBC's nondiscrimination policies.

Baltimore World AIDS Day Community Celebration
Hosted by Begin Anew and Community Partners

• Date: December 1, 2025
• Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
• Location: 4 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Lexington Market, Baltimore, MD

Begin Anew invites the community to its 4th Annual World AIDS Day Community Celebration, one of Baltimore's largest and most vibrant observances of the day. Guided by the theme, "Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Embracing the Future," this event brings together residents, advocates, and partners for an uplifting afternoon of education, reflection, and celebration.
The program features keynote speaker Jason E. Farley and special awards recognizing local leaders who have dedicated their efforts to eradicating HIV/AIDS, advancing health equity, and expanding access to care. Attendees will experience moving tributes, personal stories, and moments that honor the resilience and contributions of those on the frontlines.
Guests will also enjoy a complimentary lunch, live entertainment, and opportunities to connect with advocates, service providers, and organizations addressing social determinants of health. The event is free and open to all, welcoming community members, families, and allies to join in solidarity and shared purpose.

World AIDS Day in Frederick County, Maryland

The Frederick County Health Department is partnering with The Frederick Center to provide free HIV testing and education in honor of World AIDS Day.

Event details:

• Date: November 30, 2025
• Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Location: The Frederick Center, 25 East 2nd Street, Frederick, MD 21701

This event is free and open to the public. Attendees will have access to confidential HIV testing, information on prevention strategies such as PrEP, and connections to local resources and support services. Knowing your status is an important step in prevention, treatment, and helping to reduce transmission.

Kenneth Melnick, Disease Intervention Specialist at the Frederick County Health Department, shared that World AIDS Day represents a commitment to community health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of ensuring everyone has access to testing and care.

The Frederick County Health Department also offers free walk-in HIV testing every Tuesday and Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, as well as appointments by phone.

How You Can Participate in World AIDS Day

• Wear a Red Ribbon to raise awareness.

• Get tested and encourage others to know their status.

• Learn about HIV prevention methods, including PrEP.

• Share accurate information to help combat stigma.

• Honor loved ones affected by HIV or AIDS-related illnesses.

• Support local and national organizations committed to HIV advocacy, care, and education.

Collective action continues to play a crucial role in ending the HIV epidemic. Through awareness, compassion, and a commitment to equitable access to care, we can work toward a future where HIV does not stand in the way of anyone's life.

The Office of Graduate Student Life will be closed from November 24–28 for Thanksgiving Break.

We'll be back and ready for the new week—see you for Coffee Monday on December 1st! 

Enjoy the break and have a warm, restful holiday!