Latinx/é Heritage Month at Colorado State University is about celebrating the intersection of identities within the Latinx/é experience, with more than a dozen events between September and October.
The monthlong celebration includes a keynote presentation on Sept. 19 from Kim Guerra, an artist, writer and entrepreneur who is the creator of brand and movement Badass x Bonita as well as an outdoor movie night and the Pláticas: Student Dialogue Series, which covers a range of cultural topics and issues.
Latinx/é Heritage Month — Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 — is organized by El Centro, a Student Diversity Office at CSU that provides support for the Latinx/é, Afro-Latinx/é, Chicanx/é and Hispanic communities at CSU and Fort Collins. The celebration officially kicks off on Sept. 13 at the Lory Student Center’s Sutherland Community Garden with outdoor games, music and dancing.
Tapestry of identities
El Centro Interim Director Aaron Escobedo Garmon explained that this year’s programming places an emphasis on the tapestry of identities that encompasses the Latinx/é experience.
As part of this, El Centro is partnering with the Pride Resource on Oct. 12 for the annual Borderlands Speaker Series, which will feature Cleopatra Tatabele, an activist, educator and organizer grounded in their Black, Indigenous and Latinx/é ancestry.
“Everything that is on the calendar is very intentional,” Escobedo Garmon said. “The aspiration of El Centro continues to be a place for anyone who identifies with the Latinx/é experience. We have folks who are mixed race. We have folks who are working through mental health concerns or have physical disabilities who come from limited income backgrounds or come from an undocumented situation. All of these stories are part of the experience.”
Other intersections
As part of the celebration of intersectionality El Centro is partnering with the Filipino Culture Club on Oct. 3 for a look into the history and modern experiences of Filipino-Americans. The following day on Oct. 4, there is a meet-up for students who identify as Central/South American and Caribbean.
El Centro also will be joining the Native American Cultural Center and the Pride Resource Center on the Lory Student Center Plaza on Oct. 9 to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
“A committee of students helped us put all of this together,” Escobedo Garmon said, “and we wanted to make sure that Latinx/é Heritage Month is for all of us.”
CSU National Latinx/é Heritage Month calendar
Get the latest information on Latinx/é Heritage Month at CSU by visiting El Centro’s website at elcentro.colostate.edu/latinx-heritage-month/2023-latinx-heritage-month.
Puentes | Bridges Meeting
Monday, Sept. 11, 5-6 p.m., Morgan’s Grind, Library
Pláticas: Student Dialogue Series, What Does Heritage Month Mean to You?
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 4-5 p.m., El Centro, LSC
Alumni Happy Hour
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, 5:30-7 p.m., Ramskeller, LSC
Launch: National Latinx Heritage Month
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 4-6 p.m., LSC, Sutherland Community Garden
Keynote Speaker: Kim Guerra
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 5-7 p.m., LSC, Longs Peak Room
Todos Juntos: Latinx/é Graduate Student Meet Up
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 4-5 p.m., El Centro
Outdoor Movie Night: Encanto
Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, 8 p.m., Laurel Village Pavilion Amphitheater
Pláticas & Real Talk Crossover
Thursday, Sept. 28, 4-5 p.m., El Centro
Filipino-Americans: History and Experience
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, 6-7:30 p.m., El Centro
Central/South American & Caribbean Meet Up
Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, 4-5 p.m., El Centro
Fall Kwento
Wednesday, Oct. 4, 6-7 p.m., El Centro
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Monday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. LSC Plaza
Dinner with Latinx/é Leaders
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m., El Centro
Coming Into Queerness Day
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., LSC Plaza
Borderlands Keynote: Cleopatra Tatabele
Thursday, Oct. 12, 6-7 p.m., LSC, Never No Summer
NLHM Closing Baile
Thursday, Oct. 19, 6-9 p.m., LSC, Ballroom D
