Put on your walking shoes because the first-ever March for Mercy Through Expressive Diversity at Iowa State will take place Friday.

Various campus organizations have been invited to participate in the march as part of a campuswide effort to promote communication, said Jennifer McKinney, march coordinator.

The March for Mercy will begin at at noon on Friday at the Campanile. Marchers will travel by Bessey Hall and Parks Library, returning to the Campanile at about 12:45.

McKinney said the “nonprotest march” was created to give students and campus organizations an opportunity to unite and voice their opinions. “I think there’s a need for a positive event to take place that isn’t necessarily held in response to a particular situation,” McKinney said.

In addition, Chii Ughanze-Onyeagocha, one of the first students from Africa to attend Iowa State, will speak at 12:50 at the Campanile. Ughanze-Onyeagocha, originally from Nigeria, came to ISU during a difficult time for minorities — the 1960s civil rights movement era.

“She has both positive and negative feedback because of her race,” McKinney said.

Following Ughanze-Onyeagocha’s speech, an open mic session will be held. Each student is allowed 7 minutes to speak.

The event will end at 3 p.m.

“It’s an opportunity to have organizations get together and promote communication and understanding,” McKinney said.

More than 30 campus organizations have been invited to the march.