Latinx Heritage Month programs

From Sept. 15-Oct. 15, this celebration pays tribute to the generations of Latinx Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our society. It celebrates and honors the history, cultures, and contributions of individuals whose heritage came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The start of this celebration dates back to 1968 when Hispanic Heritage Week was introduced in the United States and later extended into a heritage month to honor the anniversaries of independence for several Latin American countries.

The month will include several speakers, including Saul Flores (pronounced sah–ool). Saul is a philanthropist, photojournalist, and speaker who is nationally recognized for his social-impact projects. In his most recent project, he documents the lives of thousands of Latin American immigrants to fundraise for an elementary school in his mother’s hometown.

Sponsors: Office of Intercultural Development, Hispanic Society of Lafayette, Student Government, Salsa Club, Latin American & Caribbean Studies Program, Religious Studies Department, Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, Foreign Languages & Literatures Department, Student Involvement, and more.

Saul Flores, The Walk of Immigrants
Sept. 20, Zoom (passcode: Lafayette)
7 p.m. (EST)
His work has been featured on National Public Radio, MSNBC, and TEDx. Additionally, Flores has been a keynote speaker for dozens of universities, inspiring audiences through his visual presentations, in which he helps people realize the capacity of their immense human potential given times of extreme adversity.

“Iluminando la Oscuridad: Queer Latinas Healing in Spanish Through Conocimiento’: research done by Dora Frias and Stephanie Hernandez
Oct. 5, Zoom
7 pm (EST)
Dora S. Frias is director of El Centro at Colorado State University. Previously, she served as director of Pride Resource Center at CSU and was program director of Latinx Student Services at University of Colorado Denver. Dora was born in Durango, Mexico, and grew up El Paso, Texas. She earned her B.S. from Texas A&M University and her M.S. at Colorado State University in student affairs in higher education.

Stephanie Hernandez Rivera is a Boricua woman and first-generation college graduate. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with majors in early childhood education, women’s and gender studies, and psychology from William Paterson University and a Master of Arts in women’s and gender studies from Rutgers. She completed her Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis from University of Missouri in summer 2021.

Dora and Stephanie will both discuss their research.

Visit to La Bamba Mexican restaurant
Sept. 21, 900 Walnut. St.
Noon-1 p.m.
Go downtown for the taco special: five for $5 to dine in and $10 for 10 for takeout. The Office of Intercultural Development will be there to say hello.

Prof. Brett Hendrickson book signing and discussion on Mexican American Religions
Oct. 6, Pardee Lobby
4:15-5:15 p.m.
Celebrate the publication of Brett’s new book. Learn how the historical narrative helps to explore the complex religious experiences and practices that have shaped Mexican American life.
Sponsors: Offices of Intercultural Development and Religious & Spiritual Life and the Religious Studies Department

Past events

Second Annual Literary Contest in Spanish
Sept. 15, online
Write a poem, short story, narrative, or essay. Every written submission will be judged by faculty in the Foreign Languages and Literatures Department.

COPA Lafayette
Sept. 19, March Field
Presented by HSL, Student Government, and Office of Intercultural Development