Oakland University celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

It is a long-standing tradition at Oakland University to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month during the month of September with a series of events celebrating the history, politics and culture of Hispanic people, locally and globally.

This year's celebration will include:

Hispanic Film Festival
Come join us for a curated selection of films depicting the multiple realities that conform Latin America. Immerse yourself in the hypnotic rhythms of nature with José Emilio Ramos "Giro Polar." Come listen to a historical conversation with United Workers leader Cesar Chavez in "La Causa." Join hands with Mexican leaders of the Women Rights movement in a struggle to overcome patriarchal and colonial discrimination in "La Revuelta."

• Monday, Sept. 16: Opening Ceremony
When You Vote, You Vote for ALL of Us
This inaugural event aims to increase voting awareness and voting rights information provided by a voting rights agency information fair, hosting the Michigan Secretary of State mobile office, and opening remarks by Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie. From noon to 1 p.m. in the Oakland Center, Gold Room A and B. Sponsored by LatinxERG, External Agencies, Student Orgs/OSI, HHMC, OUSC

• Saturday, Sept. 21: Community Service Project at Hispanic Outreach Center Work alongside Hispanic Outreach Center students and mentors to prepare their facility and grounds for the fall. Lunch provided to those who sign up: Hispanic Outreach Center Volunteer Sign-Up Form. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at the Hispanic Outreach Center at 76 Williams in Pontiac, Mich.

• Tuesday, Sept. 24: Hispanic Film Festival Viewing of "Giro Polar"
At noon in The Habitat in the Oakland Center.

• Friday, Sept. 27: Festival del Barrio
Led by Latinx student organizations, this event is aimed to educate OU Students about each of the countries celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month! It is a celebration of the rich culture our Latinx students identify with. From 4 to 6 p.m. at Elliott Tower. Sponsored by HALO, Spanish Club, Sigma Delta Pi.
• Saturday, Sept. 28: The Latinx and AAPI Employee Resource Groups will host the Council
of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA) Leadership Summit. Register here. From 8 a.m. to noon in the Engineering Building. Sponsored by DEI, Latinx, ERG, AAPI ERG.

• Tuesday, Oct. 1: Hispanic Film Festival Viewing of "La Causa" At noon in the Oakland Center. Sponsored by Department of Modern Languages.

• Wednesday, Oct. 2: Loteria Night (Mexican Bingo)
Come and enjoy traditional Mexican pastries and win prizes by playing the traditional Mexican game! From 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the main lobby of Oak View Hall. Sponsored by University Housing, Residence Life Association.

• Tuesday, Oct. 8: Hispanic Film Festival Viewing of "La Revuelta"
At noon in The Habitat in the Oakland Center. Sponsored by Department of Modern Languages.

• Thursday, Oct. 10: Hispanic Heritage Month Book Club
Featured book: Living Beyond Borders: Stories About Growing Up Mexican in America by Margarita Longoria (Editor), Francisco X. Stork, and Guadalupe Garcia McCall.
Join us as we celebrate Hispanic and Latinx authors! Though we will be highlighting the featured work to be announced soon, reading the book is not required to attend this event. We will provide an opportunity for folks to share their favorite Hispanic and Latinx authors and/or works. From noon to 1 p.m. in Ambassador Room A in the Oakland Center.

• Thursday, Oct. 17: If You Can See It, You Can Be It Panel
Connect with Community Leaders Facilitated by the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by CMI, LatinxERG, and HHM Committee.

• Monday, Oct. 28: Honoring Our Loved Ones: Ofrenda
Tercer Jueves Networking event connects Michigan Chamber of Commerce members with area decision-makers and learn more about member businesses. During this event, Oakland University will showcase executive programs, professional certificates, and graduate programs, and feature a panel of various industry leaders.
From noon to 1:30 p.m. in The Habitat inside the Oakland Center. Sponsored by Latinx ERG, UH, Student Orgs, HHMC.

This year's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Oakland University is sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Initiatives, the Office for Student Involvement, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, the Spanish Club, Sigma Delta Pi, the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, the Oakland University Student Congress, the Latinx Employee Resource Group, and the University Housing, Residence Life Association.

In addition, the university would like to recognize the efforts of the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, including Adolfo Campoy-Cubillo, associate professor, Modern Languages and Literature (Spanish); Aura Cazares, assistant dean of students and director of Diversity, Equity and I0nclusion; Jimena Garcia, Oakland University Student Congress; Nicole Lucio, assistant director of the Center for Multicultural Initiatives and chair of the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee; Pedro Marin, residence director, University Housing; Jean Ann Miller, senior director, Office for Student Involvement; Rebecca Mercado Jones, assistant professor, Department of Communication and Journalism (Communication); Cecilia Saenz-Roby, associate professor, Modern Languages and Literature; Bianca Stepanyan, retention coordinator for the Center for Multicultural Initiatives; and Luis Villa Diaz, assistant professor, Biological Sciences.

For more information, visit the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month website at www.oakland.edu/cmi/hhm.

About National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a national recognition of the culture, contributions and heritage of Hispanic Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.

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