SIU will celebrate Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15 with a host of special activities. Insert: Social innovator and inspirational speaker Saul Flores is the keynote speaker. Middle: People can create their own loteria (Mexican bingo) cards and then play the game Sept. 30. Bottom: A Ballet Folklorico dance workshop is set for Oct. 14. (All photos by Yenitza Melgoza except for Saul Flores photo, which was provided.)
September 06, 2024
SIU celebrating Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale will commemorate Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15 with a variety of special events recognizing the rich, diverse cultural heritage and numerous accomplishments of the peoples whose ancestors came to the United States from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America or South America.
Guest speakers, workshops, interactive activities and a wide variety of special events are planned during the month, all free and open to the public and as diverse and as enriching as the culture of the Hispanic/Latinx community, said Alexander Rodriguez-Gabino, coordinator of the Hispanic/Latino Resource Center.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future by Being Unified and Together.”
“We want to emphasize how important it is to be the best version of ourselves and change the world together by accomplishing great things within our communities and across the globe, being the change that other generations are inspired to follow when it is their respective turn,” said Rodriguez-Gabino. “Our celebration begins on a date of profound historical significance, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, who declared their freedom in 1821. Mexico, Chile and Belize declared their independence in September as well, so this historical context adds depth to our celebration.”
Encouraging big thinking
The keynote speaker for the month is Saul Flores, a social innovator whose story began in the sugarcane fields of Mexico, where conflicts and instability have resulted in potentially unsafe and unstable environments for farmers and their families. However, Flores founded the MAMA Sugar company in Puebla, Mexico, advocating for safe working conditions and giving back to the local community through charitable initiatives.
A first-generation college student, Flores was born to a family whose members immigrated to America, worked multiple jobs and experienced multiple hardships. Flores’ story, which has been featured on MSNBC, NPR and other media, is one of personal hardship, grit, perseverance, resilience and overcoming adversity to meet goals. He will focus on the importance of helping others, servant leadership, giving back, overcoming adversity, making a difference and meeting challenges as he presents “Think Big” at 5 p.m. Sept. 17 at the John C. Guyon Auditorium at Morris Library. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Kickoff is Sept. 16
Several events during the month are designed to give Salukis and the SIU community as well as the greater community at large a chance to socialize and get better acquainted, learning more about the different cultures and peoples that come together at the university. The Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month “Celebration de Latinidades” kickoff is a social and informational event at the Student Services Building pavilion on Sept. 16. Taqueria Jimenez will serve free tacos to the first 100 visitors from noon to 2:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to a complimentary luncheon at noon Sept. 18 in Rooms 150/160 at the Student Services Building while food lasts. A fun, informative guess the flag activity will follow.
Cultural activities set
Explore the culture and experience fun Hispanic/Latinx-style through several of the special activities happening throughout the celebration.
A Building Compassionate Communities event at 4 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Carbondale Public Library will feature the nonprofit organization Southern Illinois Culture and Arts Initiative (SI CABE). Latin Rhythm Flo and other partners will provide literacy and arts-based activities and the festivities will conclude with a family concert by 123 Andres, a Latin Grammy winning duo from Columbia. Everyone is welcome.
One and all are welcome to join in the fun on Sept. 30 by designing, creating and painting their very own loteria (Mexican bingo) cards from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rooms 150/160 of the Student Services Building and then that evening, they can bring their cards to the same location for Noche de Loteria y Dules to play the loteria for prizes from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Plans also include:
The Ballet Folklorico dance workshop set for 4-6 p.m. Oct. 1, Delta Room, Student Center. Participants will learn a simple variation of the Sinaloa-inspired dance.- A pinata workshop that takes place 5-7 p.m. Oct. 14, Rooms 150-160, Student Services Building.
- “Shaping the Future: Vision Board Making,” 5-7 p.m. Oct. 15, Kaskaskia Room, Student Center. Those attending will create vision boards that focus on their future and where they want to be in the years to come.
All of these events are free and open to everyone. Find the complete schedule of events and additional information on the website. For additional details, email arodriguez674@siu.edu. For special accommodations or access, call 618-453-5738.