Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Begins Today with Parade, Opening Ceremony

The Office of Multicultural Affairs, in collaboration with campus partners, will host Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM) starting today. The 12th annual program features a variety of events that highlight different aspects of Latino/Hispanic culture including lectures, music performances, festivals, art exhibits, dance and much more.

The celebratory month begins with a parade on the Einhorn Family Walk at 11 a.m. today. The opening ceremony and lunch follow immediately after at 11:30 a.m. in Panasci Lounge, Schine Student Center.  Students, faculty, staff and alumni are encouraged to participate.

A hallmark event during the monthlong celebration is Fiesta Latina on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center.  The annual celebration includes Latino cuisine, live entertainment, performances by Tali and DJ Mega Jay, and a presentation of the Trailblazer and Distinguished Alumni Awards. Tickets are available at the Schine Box Office for $5 (students with valid SU I.D.) and $10 (all others).

Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, writer and creator of the critically acclaimed and best-selling graphic novel “La Borinqueña,” is this year’s commemorative speaker. Miranda-Rodriguez will speak on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. in the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons in Bird Library.

Campus community members are invited to attend all events throughout the month. Access the full calendar of events on the Office of Multicultural Affairs website.

LHHM honors Spanish, Latino American and Afro-Latino cultures in the United States. It is fitting the celebrations begin Sept. 15, as that date commemorates the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; Mexico celebrates on Sept. 16 and Chile on Sept. 18.  The celebration continues through Oct. 15.

LHHM is one of four celebratory months coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Upcoming heritage months include Native Heritage Month (November 2017), Black History Month (February 2018) and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (April 2018).

For questions or more information, contact Marissa L. Willingham at mlwill07@syr.edu or 315.443.9767.  Join the celebration on social using #CuseLHHM.

See the original story at SU News.