Anthony Mungo, a volunteer in the Office for Diversity and Inclusion at UNC Pembroke, recently presented at Western Carolina University’s inaugural Southeastern Latinx Student Leadership Conference.

The conference is believed to be the first of its kind in the region, and was presented by WCU’s Latino Appreciation student organization with generous support from across campus.



“My presentation allowed for student scholars, community members and faculty/staff to become critically aware about ways to address the anti-blackness and colorism that continues to affect Afro Latinx communities today,” explained Mungo.



Mungo’s presentation was entitled “Afro Latinx Unidos Siempre: Afro Latinx United Always” and gave a sociological and historical analysis surrounding how blackness has been interpreted and viewed within the context of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Mungo of Apex is a rising senior studying English with a minor in Spanish.

“As an Afro Latino of Panamanian/Costa Rican descent, the conference dynamic not only allowed for me to begin learning about my own roots regarding how blackness and latinidad are melded but also how our sense of identity constantly changes as we learn more about pieces of our historical narrative as individuals.

“I was both honored and thrilled to be able to attend such an exciting and transformative conference filled with friendship, community building and intense reflection of our own sense of humanity,” Mungo continued.