Nationally, Sept. 15 marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. This year, Kent State University is celebrating the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month as Avanzando Juntos: Moving Forward Together with numerous events and celebrations.
Ilianna Velez, assistant director of the Kent State E. Timothy Moore Student Multicultural Center, expressed the significance of this celebration.
“The theme places focus on the importance of unity within the Latina/o/e/x community"
“We are excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month,” Velez said. “The theme places focus on the importance of unity within the Latina/o/e/x community, which often focuses on the support and resources provided by the rest of their friends and family.”
Kent State’s event programming this year is in partnership with the Ohio Latino Affairs Summit and its theme Juntos: Latino Growth is Ohio Growth.
“These themes bring awareness to the importance of the Latina/o/e/x community to the Ohio economy and workforce,” Velez said. “The strength and unity provided by the Latina/o/e/x community benefits all within and outside of the community.”
“The strength and unity provided by the Latina/o/e/x community benefits all within and outside of the community.”
To honor the ongoing celebrations, the center has created a calendar for all university events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
“We are excited to see programming centered around establishing unity within the Latinx community and highlighting the impact of making progress as a collective, not just as individuals,” Velez added.
The center encourages the campus community to add their own events to the calendar. Campus partners can submit events through the campus event calendar with the tags “Signature Programs” and “Hispanic Heritage Month.”
Below are some Kent Campus events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month:
Wednesday, Sept. 27: Salsa Night: Baila Con Sabor (Dance with Flavor)
Do you love to dance? Do you enjoy food? Then this event is for you! From 5-7 p.m. join the Student Multicultural Center, members of the Spanish and Latino Student Association (S.A.L.S.A.), Sister Circle, and the Male Empowerment Network for an evening of full of fun in the Kent Student Center Ballroom.
Thursday, September 28: Hispanic Heritage Month Roundtable Discussion
The LGBTQ+ Center is hosting a roundtable discussion centered around the intersection between Hispanic and LGBTQ+ identities from 3-4 p.m. in Kent Student Center Room 024.
Thursday, Sept. 28: S.A.L.S.A. Flag Day
Do you love history? How about getting your picture taken? For Hispanic Heritage Month 2023, the Spanish and Latine Student Association is bringing back flag day! Join students in the Student Multicultural Center for a history lesson about flags before going to the MAC for Sunset Photos. This event will take place from 6-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 12: DIY Lotería!
If you are a game lover, this event is for you! From 6-8 p.m. join S.A.L.S.A. and the College of Arts and Sciences to make your own Lotería card and play your own version of this beloved game.
Departments and student organizations have already started the celebration.
The Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement held Spice Up the Night on September 16-17, full of dancing and Latin cuisine.
S.A.L.S.A. kicked off its celebration on Sept. 14 with a party dedicated to food and games.