Ohio Latino Affairs Summit Schedule

Panel (15 mins): Standing Your Ground on Integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Classroom 

Hosted by: Melinda Molina, Associate Professor of Law, Capital University of Law School 

Workshop description: Inspired by historical and recent events, such as the killings of Andres Guardado, Sean Monterrosa, Trye Nichols, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Rayshard Brooks, a “call to action” inspired many legal educators to transform their teaching so that students can better understand how the law protects/includes as much as it subordinates/excludes. This “call to action” led Professor Molina to design an exercise where students use substantive tort doctrine (self-defense) and lawyering skills to engage with case law and legislation, to listen carefully to the arguments of both proponents and opponents, so that they are capable of understanding and evaluating the complexities that comes with multiple perspectives. The presentation will provide teaching strategies for designing such an exercise to help faculty and students engage with diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice topics in any class. The presentation will provide practical guidance on:

1.    How to design such an exercise to help faculty and students engage with diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice topics.
2.    Blended learning design where traditional teaching methods are combined with digital learning.
3.    Facilitating meaningful and civil classroom discussions both in small and large groups."

Panel (15 mins): Examining Latinx and Latin American Themes in Children's Literature: in and beyond the K-12 classroom 

Hosted by: Pamela Espinosa de los Monteros, Associate Professor, Latin America, Iberian, and Latino/a Studies Librarian, The Ohio State University

Patricia Vocal, Academic Services Program Coordinator in Scholarship and Supplemental Academic Services, Ohio State University "

Workshop description: There are limited professional development opportunities for teachers to receive formal training to introduce and integrate such curricular resources in their classrooms.

To address this gap, Patti Vocal, former Program Coordinator for OSU’s Center for Latin American Studies partnered with Dr. Pat Enciso, Professor in Education and Human Ecology and University Libraries’ Latin American Studies Librarian Pamela Espinosa de los Monteros, to develop a K-12 teacher virtual Latine/Latin American BookBox Series. This series facilitates access to Latinx/Latin American-centered children's literature and provides best practices for integrating these into the curriculum through a learning community and invited guest speakers. Each BookBox explores the diversity and complexity of the Latinx/Latin American experience including: Afro-Latinx identity, indigenous communities, as well as nature and the environment. The goal of the program is to examine these books through an intersectional lens, including current events and discussions within these topics, their relationship to social justice, and how best to initiate critical conversations with students through children's literature. 

The CLAS BookBox Series has assisted in connecting educators, OSU professors, and their communities. This presentation will discuss the development of the CLAS BookBox Series, examples of teacher's lesson plans, discussion questions, and resources created for the program.

Workshop: Reclaiming Your Story: Using Your Voice to Set the Record Straight

Hosted by: Hosted by: Johana Coronado, Program Coordinator, The Ohio State University

Panelists: Mayra, Natalie Francis, Daniel

Workshop Description: In a time when education is under attack, it is crucial that our communities understand the power of using our voice within the tools of the system. In this workshop, we will aim to learn about the ways that we can use our voices to challenge or support issues that appear through the Ohio Legislative body and how to remain informed. 

Panel (15 mins): Increasing Educational Justice: Drawing from Motherwork to Understand Latine Students' Needs

Hosted by: Astrid Sambolín Morales, Assistant Professor, Kent State University

Workshop description: This presentation will share the initial findings from a qualitative study conducted by a Kent State professor to understand the supports and processes affecting English Language Learners and culturally and linguistically diverse families (CLD) in Ohio. Participants will then learn about Latine womens' motherwork, which includes negotiating the complicated relationship of preparing children to fit into, yet resist, systems of racial domination (Collins, 2016, p. 58). Findings from the pilot study illustrate the ways Latine mothers expand and model their Community Cultural Wealth (Yosso, 2005)--or “the bodies of knowledge, abilities, and resources Communities of Color possess and use in their everyday lives” (Jimenez, 2020, p. 779)-- for their children's academic achievement.

Panel (15 mins): Connecting Cultural Identities through Empathy

Hosted by: Andrea Sosa Fontaine, Assistant Professor of Interior Design, Kent State University

Workshop description: Latinx youth face many barriers to accessing post-secondary education, and even after they receive their admission letter, success is not guaranteed. Common barriers include access to financial aid, distance from family, language challenges, discrimination, and lack of cultural understanding by peers and faculty. The workshop responds to one such barrier through an empathy-based exercise that can be used to expand understanding of Latinx culture by fostering cross-cultural connections between peer groups. The exercise was originally developed for a remote elective course taken by post-secondary students from different countries; however, it has been modified to suit in-person classrooms. There is also an opportunity to utilize the exercise beyond the classroom, building empathy among peers through the sharing of cultural identities for faculty, community organizations, and in the workplace. Fostering these connections early among a group helps to facilitate better understanding and a sense of belonging. The workshop will be led by two Professors of diverse backgrounds from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State University.

Workshop: Building Blocks Toward Student Success – Using an Anti-Deficit Approach to Support Our Students of Color

Hosted by: Alice Fermiantt, Program Coordinator at E. Timothy Moore Student Multicultural Center, Kent State University

Workshop Description: In this workshop, participants will be able to identify ways to culturally, academically, professionally, personally, and socially  (CAPPS) develop their students of color using an anti-deficit framework.

Panel (15 mins): Differences in Language and Culture throughout Latin America

Hosted by: Laura Perez Alvarez, Interpreter and Translator, ASIA Inc.

Workshop description: As a medical and legal interpreter in NE Ohio, I have faced complications communicating with Spanish speaking clients because each Spanish speaking country uses different words to adress the same thing. I also work as a substitute teacher and have noticed each school I've worked for, that Spanish is taught in a different way in each school (some having a more neutral approach for it than others depending on the teacher). This is a situation that has many ramifications because language is only one of the cultural faces of our communities, and people who is not latin or hispanic tend to group us as equals, without adressing our differences and understanding each Latin Country has their own identity. It is important to show we are a multicultural, diverse and rich community that has so many possibilities to grow because of it's richness. We don't eat, dance or sing the same,we share the language(with our own way of using each word) we share the love for our families, and most of all, the history in this country, but we have amazing cultures that need to be adressed, we are diverse, we are the same but not equals

Panel (15 mins): Latinx Student Expereince at PWI's (Predominatley White Institutions)

Hosted by: Alex Silverio, Academic Advisor II, Kent State University

Workshop description: Current Kent State Latinx students will share their experiences at PWI's. Kent State University is a PWI (Primarily White Institution). As the university strives to become more diverse, what steps are being taken to ensure that Latino/a/e students feel welcome, heard, and supported? This will be an interactive panel in which undergraduate and graduate Latino/a/e students currently attending KSU share the positive and negative experiences that they have encountered, or are currently living, at KSU. To illustrate the varied experiences of these students, we will touch on topics such as support systems, what has helped or not helped foster a sense of connection to the university, and what the KSU administration can do to promote a healthy environment where the Latino/a/e community can thrive.

AstroLatinX: Nurturing Future Latino/Hispanic Scientists in Columbus, OH

Hosted by: Laura Lopez, Associate Professor of Astronomy, The Ohio State University

Panelists: Elvira Crz-Cruz, Sebastian Lopez, Jennifer Rodriguez

Workshop Description: This panel session will discuss the AstroLatinX grassroots organization established by astronomy Ph.D. students at The Ohio State University and the underrepresentation of the Hispanic/Latino population in the space sciences and STEM fields generally. This initiative brings astronomy to the Hispanic/Latino K-12 student population in Columbus, OH, through demonstrations and planetarium shows. This session will offer insights on how educators and early-career scientists can start an organization at their own institution to nurture Hispanic/Latino scientists by creating educational materials in Spanish and English.

Business Featured Speaker

Monica Womack, Chief of Minority Business Development Division, Ohio Department of Development & Lilleana Cavanaugh, Deputy Chief of Business Solutions and Outreach, Minority Business Development Division, Ohio Department of Development

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certifications

Hosted by: Jennifer Crist, Northeast Ohio and Hispanic Outreach Manager, Ohio Department of Transportation

Workshop description: Please join the Ohio Department of Transportation for a workshop that will highlight the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and explain how to become DBE Certified.  The DBE program was created to help level the playing field by providing small, disadvantaged businesses with a fair opportunity to compete for federally funded transportation contracts.  DBE Certification assists small businesses to do business on heavy highway transportation projects and other transportation-related projects. 

Other benefits of becoming DBE Certified include: 

• Assisting Prime Contractors and Prime Consultants to fulfill DBE goals on federally funded transportation projects 
• Gain access to opportunities to grow your business
• The opportunity to become DBE certified in other states after becoming DBE certified in Ohio.

The Mindset of the Entrepreneur

Hosted by: Shaundretta Boykins, Manager of Business Development and Entrepreneurship, Office of the Minority Business Development Division, Ohio Department of Development 

Workshop description: You may have the skill and the will, but it takes an entrepreneurial mindset to be successful in starting up, standing up, and scaling up your business.

Impacto

Hosted by: Jose Colon, Senior Manager of Hispanic/Latino Services at Jumpstart Inc.

Workshop description: Impacto is a Spanish-language small business program, creating a safe space for inspiration and information sharing between Hispanic entrepreneurs. This multi-session program empowers entrepreneurs to take their business to the next level. Each week, participants focus on key business skills including financial planning and marketing, and on the last day of the program, they present their business to the class. In addition to building industry-specific skills, each participant receives one-on-one coaching and $1,000 in grant capital. 

Panel: How to Excel Starting a Business

Moderator: Thalia Amador, Economic Development Specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

José Colón, Jump Start Inc.
Melony Bryant, Minority & Small Business Advocate, Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation
Randy Cedeño, Director of Small Business Development Center, Hispanic Business Center
Nichelle Gray, Senior Stakeholder Liaison, Internal Revenue Service
 

From Tamales to 1099s: Centering Latine Womens' Need and Experiences for Business Ownership

Hosted by: Astrid Sambolín Morales Additional Presenters: Rita Aggarwal 

Workshop Description: Our presentation highlights a community-research partnership project that provides workshops and community-building opportunities for Latine Akron women interested in starting or expanding their small businesses. The workshop series, facilitated by a Kent State faculty member and a local non-profit, invited Latine women with small businesses in Ohio to speak about their experiences, share resources and advice, and guide participants through selling their artisanal products. By connecting a hard-to-reach population with existing resources and centering the community's already-existing expertise and cultural wealth, the project strives to meet workshop participants where they are while responding to their needs and contributions to the workshop programming. Moreover, the presentation will highlight the strengths and possibilities when researchers and community organizers partner and center the needs and aspirations of a marginalized community.
 

Resources to Build and Scale Your Business

Hosted by: Shaundretta Boykins, Manager of Business Development and Entrepreneurship, Office of the Minority Business Development Division, Ohio Department of Development 

Workshop Description: Learn how to access the tools you need (capital, certifications, contracts, connections, centers) at low to no cost to build and help build your businesses.

Raising Awareness on Latina Heart Health

Hosted by: Dr. Odayme Quesada, Medical Director, Women's Heart Center at the Christ Hospital Health Network

Workshop Description: The session will focus on the Latina Heart Health Awareness Campaign, which aims to spotlight the high prevalence of heart disease in the Latino community. Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in Latina women and approximately half of Hispanic/Latina women have cardiovascular disease. The campaign is spearheaded by Odayme Quesada, MD, Medical Director, Women’s Heart Center at The Christ Hospital Health Network, Latino Affairs Commission of Ohio, Greater Cincinnati American Heart Association, Lorena Mora Mowry from Mujer Latina Today, Institute for Health Equity and Innovation, the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA, Northern Kentucky Esperanza Latino Center, Fairfield Lane Public Library, La Mega and the Latino Health Collaborative.

Promoting Access for Latino Behavioral Health Across the Lifespan

Hosted by: Dr. Cassie Storlie, Associate Professor of Counselor Education & Supervision, Kent State University; Dr. Marilyn Sampilo, Pediatric Psychologist, Cleveland Clinic

Workshop description: The mental health needs, strengths, and goals of Ohio Latinos vary across the lifespan. Healthcare providers working with Latinos must consider the complexity of core cultural values and the great variability that may exist between and within Latino families and local communities. This presentation will educate audience members on common social/emotional concerns, outline relevant interventions, and discuss strategies to promote equitable access to care for Latino youth, adults & older adults. Opportunities for reflection and discussion will be provided.

Raising Awareness on Latina Heart Health

Hosted by: Dr. Odayme Quesada, Medical Director, Women's Heart Center at the Christ Hospital Network

Workshop description: The session would be focused on the Latina Heart Health Awareness Campaign, which aims to shed a spotlight on the high prevalence of heart disease in the Latino community. Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in Latina women; approximately half of Hispanic/Latina women have cardiovascular disease. The campaign is spearheaded by Odayme Quesada, MD, Medical Director, Women’s Heart Center at The Christ Hospital Health Network, Latino Affairs Commission of Ohio, Greater Cincinnati American Heart Association, Lorena Mora Mowry from Mujer Latina Today, Institute for Health Equity and Innovation, the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA, Northern Kentucky Esperanza Latino Center, Fairfield Lane Public Library, La Mega and the Latino Health Collaborative.

Bridging the Gap: Community Led Supports to Address Mental Health for Hispanic Families

Hosted by: Rita Aggarwal, Executive Director, Proyecto RAICES"

Roundtable Presenters: Jan Maynor, LISW-S, Independent; Cristina Hernandez, MS Prevention Health Coordinator, Proyecto RAICES; Kathy Ress, LISW-S Therapist, Independent; Tommy Bruno, General Manager, The Summit FM; Marihelyn Horrigan, Community Impact Director AxessPointe

Workshop description: It is widely acknowledged that some of the Hispanic population in Ohio represents the most vulnerable in terms of income, education, and formal citizenship status. This makes this subgroup highly susceptible to mental health stresses that can balloon into serious debilitating mental illness if not treated on a timely basis. Unfortunately, there are stark disparities regarding the availability and access to mental health therapy for this population related to income, race, gender and language.

The presenters for this session will provide their perspectives on and experience with efforts to make behavioral health treatment more accessible to this underserved population. Often, even when these services are available, they are not culturally relevant and do not address language issues, so many Hispanics are unable to utilize them effectively.

The presenters will describe approaches, providing resources supporting addiction recovery and the aftermath of COVID, to help individuals maintain psychological stability on a daily basis."

Latino Mental Health Navigator Program Panel Discussion

Moderators  Jessica Sutton (OCHLA) and Malaika Brewer (OhioMHAS)           
Panelists Leslie Pineda (Del Pueblo, Springfield) and Cristina Hernandez (Proyecto RAICES, Akron)

During this panel discussion, Latino Mental Health Navigator cohort representatives will examine the program’s work to improve mental health education and access for Latino Ohioans. A grant award from OhioMHAS supported the startup of seven community mental health navigator sites in designated areas of Ohio in March of 2022. The LMHN Program’s mission is to reduce disparities in the availability, accessibility, and quality of mental and behavioral healthcare services for Hispanic/Latino community members. LMHNs are fulfilling this mission by educating clients on mental health topics and referring them to services while simultaneously identifying ways that local providers themselves can better address the needs of Hispanic/Latino clients.

Through various forms of mental health outreach and engagement, including referrals, educational presentations, workshops, and activities in response to COVID-19, program sites have served 32,694 clients over a 15-month grant period. This included 649 clients who were directly connected with mental health service providers and may not have access to needed care without the effort of LMHNs. 

The discussion will be moderated by representatives from OCHLA and OhioMHAS, who offer technical support, cohort collaboration opportunities, and funding to continue this important work.