Clark University will celebrate Latine/Latinx Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15 with events designed to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of our community members who can trace their ancestry to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
“At Clark, Latine/Latinx Heritage Month is a time for community, celebration, and recognition among our Latine and/or Hispanic community members,” says Naomi Ashley, assistant director for programming and first-generation student support in the Office of Identity, Student Engagement, and Access (ISEA). “Their achievements, contributions, and efforts offer inspiration to others in honoring their heritage, cultures, and experiences.”
Clark will kick off the celebration on September 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a ¡Fiesta! in Red Square (rain location: Dana Commons), sponsored by ISEA, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), and the Latin American Student Organization (LASO).
During the month, members of the Clark community will have the opportunity to learn some Latin dances during two lessons, September 28 and October 12, led by Worcester’s Tumbao Latin Dance studio. Each lesson will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Tilton Hall.
Clark’s celebration of our Latine/Latinx community will culminate with the second annual LatinXcellence on October 15, 6 to 8 p.m. in Tilton Hall. Latine/x- and/or Hispanic-identifying students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the Worcester community are invited to contribute to the event with performances, academic publications, goods, and more. Check the Instagram profiles of ISEA and LASO to learn how to participate in LatinXcellence.
“We hope that Clark students, faculty, and staff will join in our Latine/Latinx Heritage Month programs to gather, honor, and learn as we observe the month with campus and local Worcester community members,” Ashley says.
The United States recognizes National Hispanic Heritage Month every year from September 15 to October 15 to honor the generations of Latine/Latinx/Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. The celebration begins in the middle, rather than at the start, of September, because it coincides with national independence days in several Latin American countries. Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica celebrate their independence on Sept. 15, Mexico on Sept. 16, Chile on Sept. 18, and Belize on Sept. 21. Visit the U.S. National Archives to learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month and listen to a series of podcasts from the Library of Congress.
Members of the Clark community may also learn more by visiting the Latino American Experience database through Goddard Library.