Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM) occurs annually from Sunday, Sept. 15, to Tuesday, Oct. 15. The month marks the celebration of independence for a number of Latin American countries and provides an opportunity to learn about the diasporic cultures and heritage of Latin countries. This year, the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) in collaboration with campus partners will host several events throughout the month highlighting various aspects of Latinx and Hispanic cultures, including lectures, performances, festivals and art exhibitions.
Julissa Pabon, OMA coordinator of mentoring programs and chair of the Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, says, “This year’s theme for Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month is ‘Celebrating the past, present and future.’ This month allows students, faculty and staff to come together to acknowledge the customs, morals and values of Latinx and Hispanic culture while celebrating a new generation of traditions. The University can look forward to a month-long celebration in collaboration with several different departments throughout the campus and local community.”
Although there are a number of events that will be hosted throughout the month, some of the larger collaborative events are noted below. OMA invites the campus community to visit the University Events Calendar for a full list of events and details.
Fiesta Latina
In collaboration with the Syracuse University Office of Multicultural Advancement and Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc., OMA will host Fiesta Latina on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 6:30 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium in the Schine Student Center. The annual celebration includes Latin cuisines, live entertainment and performances by Raices Dance Troupe, Fulanito and Oro Solido. Tickets are available for $5 with a valid Syracuse University/SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry I.D. and $10 for the general public at the Box Office (temporarily located in the Women’s Building, Room 119).
Torneo de Futbol
In collaboration with the University’s health and wellness team, OMA will be hosting the second annual Torneo de Futbol (soccer) tournament. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5, at noon in the Barnes Center at The Arch. Registration will be available online at the end of September.
Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month Commemorative Lecture
In collaboration with the LGBT Resource Center, OMA will host poet, educator and performer Denice Frohman on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. in Maxwell Auditorium. Frohman is a CantoMundo Fellow, former Women of the World Poetry Slam Champion and National Association of Latino Arts & Cultures grant recipient. Her poems have appeared in The Adroit Journal, Nepantla: An Anthology for Queer Poets of Color and Women of Resistance: Poems for a New Feminism and garnered over 10 million views online. She has been featured on national and international stages, including The Apollo, the White House and the Nuyorican Poets Café, and has performed at more than 200 colleges and universities. She has a graduate degree in education and co-organizes #PoetsforPuertoRico. Although originally from New York City, Frohman currently resides in Philadelphia.
For more information on the month, to find out how you can get involved or to request accommodations, contact Julissa Pabon at jupabon@syr.edu or call 315.443.1932.
Story by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience communications intern Abigail J. Covington ’19, G ’20.
