Wayne State University concluded its annual celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month with various events featuring students and faculty of Hispanic and Latino heritage, and the departments serving their communities.
A panel was held Oct. 7, in partnership with the TechTown and the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies, to showcase the contributions of Latino small business owners and organizations contributing to the economic growth of Detroit.
On campus, other events took place including a poetry workshop surrounding the book “The House on Mango Street” by Mexican American author Sandra Cisneros, a Coloring and Cafecito hour, and a series of study sessions with themes to represent the past, present and future, to conclude the month of celebrations.
Wayne State University’s Latinx Faculty and Staff Association hosted their 6th annual Latino/a/x Welcome Back Reception for staff and students on Sept. 19, to celebrate the Wayne State and community contributions of Hispanic students and faculty.
Provost and Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Laurie Lauzon Clabo, who attended the reception, said Wayne State is continuing to academically support Latino students and faculty.
“Wayne State is committed to uplifting and celebrating our Latina, Latino and Latinx community on campus all year around. Our Office of Inclusive Excellence has been really happy to support LFSA in engaging in a wide variety of events and activities,” Clabo said. “The office is here to celebrate and to listen.”
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15, according to the Pew Research Center. It was first recognized as Hispanic Heritage Week by the United States in 1968, then expanded into a month in 1988, to coincide with several independence days of several Latin American countries.
Wayne State University President Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D., signed the Presidential recognition of September as Hispanic Heritage Month in Sept, to inaugurate the month at the university as a time of celebration, acknowledging the accomplishments and contributions of community members with Latin American and Caribbean heritage.
Veronica Beltran, LFSA Outreach and Engagement Officer, said the president’s recognition serves as a milestone to acknowledge the historical contributions the Hispanic community has at WSU.
“Wayne State University has acknowledged that we are in the city of Detroit, whose Hispanic community here dates back a century and that Latinos have contributed to our campus community in terms of student leadership, alumni and all the contributions that they have given to our university,” said Beltran. “In recognition of those accomplishments, the university reaffirms their commitment to encourage and support them through equal educational and employment opportunities.”
Beltran said a large part of the academic and career opportunities has been thanks to the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies.
Majoring in Accounting, student entrepreneur Andrea Lagos with her mother at the event promoting their local baking business, Dulce Delicia.
Majoring in Exercise & Sports Science, student entrepreneur Vanessa Briones with her jewelry business, Simplistic Jewels.
“We have seen a steady increase of Latino enrollment here at the university and that has been a huge thanks to the Center of Latino/a (and Latin American) Studies, admissions counselors, as well as our students,” she said. “Representation matters.”
Founded in 1971-72, the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies first began as the Latino en Marcha Leadership Training Program in partnership with Wayne State University, Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development and New Detroit, according to the website. The program became an academic center and later renamed the Center for Chicano-Boricua Studies.
Today, the center serves over 200 students, who have cultural ties to Latin America, the African diaspora, Asia and Europe, according to the website. Director for the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies Jorge Chinea, Ph.D., was honored as a 2024 Game Changer by the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings for being an influential individual making a positive impact in Detroit’s Hispanic community.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be part of bringing the Latino community together to celebrate our culture, teach others, and just to have fun, especially as a Latina myself,” Zarate said. “Something I would love to see is to see an event where we get to learn more about each of the different Latino countries, as not many know about all of the different Latino cultures.”
WSU pre-nursing sophomore student Briceidy Lopez said the experience of attending the Hispanic Heritage Month events were like no other.
“I wished more students could have come and witness the beautiful cultures that were embraced and the Latino excellence that were represented,” Lopez said.
