Latinx/é Heritage Month 2023

Latinx/é Heritage Month 2023 Events:

Latinx/é Heritage Month Kickoff
Embracing Afro-Latinx Heritage
Día De Los Muertos Celebrations
Latine Night

Latinx/é Heritage Month Kickoff

Wednesday, September 20th at 5:30 p.m. in the Villard.

The Jeh Vincent Johnson ALANA Cultural Center and Latiné Students’ Union would like for you to join us in kicking off Latinx Heritage Month. All are welcomed to join in the evening celebration! This year’s theme is “Viva Latines: Alma, Corazón Y Vida.” There will be a student-led flag ceremony, student performances, faculty, administrative, and community speakers, music, delicious food, and more!

Six members of LSU standing at the center of the stage facing the audience while the audience all seated look on ahead. — Latine Students’ Union Executive Board 2023/2024

Sofia leading the "Que Vive" Ceremony as she stands in front holding a mic reading off a paper in her other hand while the flag holders are standing to the right lined up against the Villard wall. — Sofia Nevarez ’24 leading the “¡Que Viva!” ceremony

Darianna seated at the center of the stage with two mics in front of her. One mic she is singing into while the other mic is directed at her acoustic guitar. — Darianna Reyes Marquez ’26 playing an acoustic guitar and performing a song

Alma standing at the front of the stage with a mic as they recite a poem they are reading off a paper. There are Latin American flags around the room in the back of Alma. — Alma Elías Nájera ’25 reciting a poem

Women lined up side by side, facing one another while holding wooden baskets containing large floral arrangements on the tops of their heads as they perform a dance. — Grupo Folklorico de Poughkeepsie dance performance

Natalia standing at the podium speaking into the mic as her right hand is lifted up. There are Latin American flags displayed in behind Natalia. — Natalia Martínez Muñoz Potter, Associate Director of Counseling Service speaking to attendees

Large group of attendees seated in chairs side by side as they look towards the front of the stage. — Attendees celebrating LHM 2023 in the Villard

Four members of Ritmo dancing in pairs as the audience seated in chairs are looking ahead. — Ritmo’s dance performance

Embracing Afro-Latinx Heritage with the author of Finding La Negrita

Sunday, October 1st at 1 p.m., Virtual Event.

Join Multicultural and Affinity Engagement for a special LATINX HERITAGE MONTH virtual event with Natasha Gordon-Chipembere ’92, award-winning author of Finding La Negrita. Learn about the history of Afrodescendientes in Costa Rica, how Natasha’s upbringing in Brooklyn as a child of Costa Rican and Panamanian parents led her to Vassar and to study abroad in Africa, and about the thriving expatriate community that has relocated from the U.S. to Costa Rica.

Día De Los Muertos Celebrations in the Aula

LSU x LALS x RSLCP extends a warm invitation to all to join us for our Día De Los Muertos celebrations. We hope that everyone feels at ease participating in the festivities, whether it’s by joining the big celebration or by placing a photo, trinket, name, or any meaningful object on the altar to remember and honor our loved ones.

*Tuesday, October 31st 2023: Join LSU at 8 p.m. in helping to set up the altar and offerings.

*Wednesday, November 1st:
Anyone is welcome to add offerings to the altar and celebrate privately. Anyone is welcome to come and go as they please.

*Thursday, November 2nd: From 5–7 p.m., our closing ceremony where we share stories, remember our loved ones, and enjoy food and warm drinks.

Latine Night 2.0

Friday, November 10th from 9 p.m.–1 a.m. in the Aula.

LSU invites all to enjoy an evening of dancing and celebrating Latin music and culture. Featuring DJ Tico Rico and Vassar’s First Taste at Jaripeo.