The Office of Student Inclusion & Diversity and the Hispanic Heritage Committee at UNC Pembroke recently announced events for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Everyone is welcome.

Hispanic Heritage Month––celebrated annually from September 15 through October 15–highlights and raises awareness of the heritage, history and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latinè Americans. The celebration began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 when legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Edward Roybal was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. The week was expanded into a month in 1988 during the administration of President Ronald Reagan. September 15 was chosen as the start date because it commemorates the independence of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15, Mexico (September 16) and Chile (September 18).

Events to be held during Hispanic Heritage Month include:

September 14

• The Hispanic Heritage Lunch will be hosted by Sodexo in the dining hall in the Chavis Student Center from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

September 27

• Come visit the Hispanic Heritage Committee table in the lobby of the Chavis Center between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. to hear traditional and contemporary Hispanic music and enjoy a sweet Hispanic treat.

September 28

• The Hispanic Heritage Fall Festival will be held in the University Center (UC) Annex from noon-2 p.m. Join us in front of the Dial Building at 12 p.m. to participate in our traditional parade from the Dial Building to the UC Annex. The event is free and open to the public. If you are interested in performing in the festival or would like more information, please contact Dr. Ana Cecilia Lara at cecilia.lara@uncp.edu.

October 2

• A reading by Cuban author Gustavo Pèrez Firmat will be held from 3:30- 4:30 p.m. in Thomas Hall, Room 225. A self-described “Carolina Cuban,” Pèrez Firmat is the author of over 15 books of prose and poetry, including a memoir, Next Year in Cuba (1995), which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and Life on the Hyphen, an award-winning study of Latino culture. He taught at Duke University for 20 years and was the David Feinson Professor of Humanities at Columbia University until his retirement in 2022. He lives in Chapel Hill, N.C. Sponsored by Pembroke Magazine and the Department of English, Theatre and World Languages.

October 5

• An interest meeting for the new Latin Student Union (LSU) will be held at 6:15 p.m. in the Chavis Student Center, Room 208. Come join us to learn more about the LSU.

October 10

• Join us for the Noche de Juegos (Game Night and Student Mixer) from 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. in Old Main Room 124 in the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity for Hispanic snacks and games.

October 25

• Join us at 7:30 p.m. in the Givens Performing Arts Center for Ofrenda: A Dia de los Muertos Celebration. One of Mexico’s most beloved holidays, Dia de los Muertos celebrates the lives of loved ones who have passed on by building an Ofrenda, a home altar decorated with a collection of objects, candles, marigold flowers and photos of our dearly departed. Ofrenda: A Dia de los Muertos Celebration features traditional music and dance from different regions, including “La Bruja” from Veracruz, “Dance de Tare Ambakitis” from Nayarit, as well as the amazing music from the Disney movie “Coco.” All this is interspersed with tributes to great Mexican artists such as Juan Gabriel, Selena, Jose Infante, and Alejandro Fernandez. The live Mariachi and our original traditional costumes all contribute to creating an unforgettable visual and musical experience. Ofrenda is a show for the entire family. Entertaining and fun for the kids, moving and exciting for the grown-ups, also sweet and filled with memories for our Abuelitas and Abuelitos. Learn more about the show and buy tickets.

November 1

• Come learn more about the holiday Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Originating in Mexico, the holiday is celebrated November 1-2 and honors deceased friends and family by visiting their graves with gifts. You are encouraged to bring a photo of a deceased loved one to place on the ofrenda (traditional altar) in the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity. Join us from 3:30 - 5 p.m. in Old Main Room 124 in the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity.

November 30

• A Hispanic Student Graduation will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Thomas Hall. Graduates must RSVP to participate.

Other Programming

• Programming to celebrate and showcase the Hispanic and Latinè community will be held throughout the academic year. Please check the Office of Student Inclusion & Diversity’s Calendar of Events page for upcoming events and programs.

Join the Hispanic Heritage Committee

• Join the Hispanic Heritage Committee and other diversity awareness planning committees.

Hispanic Heritage Month activities are sponsored by the Office of Student Inclusion & Diversity, the Hispanic Heritage Committee, Department of English, Theatre, and World Languages, Givens Performing Arts Center, Pembroke Magazine, Sodexo and World Languages Program.

For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month and other diversity awareness programming at UNCP, visit BraveConnect, contact the Office of Student Inclusion & Diversity at 910.521.6508 or osid@uncp.edu, or visit uncp.edu/hispanicheritage.