Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month
Latinx Heritage Month, federally designated as Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988, is observed from September 15th to October 15th by celebrating the rich historical and cultural legacies of individuals whose ancestors came from the Caribbean, Central and South America, Spain, and Mexico. The day of September 15th is significant because it marks the anniversary of independence for multiple Latin American countries. During this 30-day period, the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI) and our partners in Student Affairs, the Center for Equity and Student Achievement (CESA), Chicana/o Studies, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and University of Colorado Denver’s Center for Identity and Inclusion will facilitate programs and events that highlight historical and contemporary contributions of the Latinx community to the fabric of our campus and society.
The term “Latinx” relates to people of Latin American origin or descent and is used as a gender-neutral or non-binary alternative to Latina/o. That said, terms like “Hispanic” and “Latinx” are based in language that privileges non-indigenous and non-Black identities and center Eurocentric views of history. We strive to be inclusive and welcoming of all identities and for that reason share this critique.
The goals of this month are for the Auraria campus community to walk away with new knowledge and new connections to the campus by sharing information and building community with one another. The Auraria campus community is encouraged to discuss local and global events and address important issues. Additionally, the CMEI will provide programs around the theme of Unidos por la Cultura/United by Culture in relations to the national theme of Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week
The purpose of HSI Week is to recognize 569 HSIs throughout the nation for their work and critical role in educating and empowering Hispanics/Latina/o/x. This year HSI Week, sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is September 16 – 20. MSU Denver will participate by hosting several events and sharing stories about our impact on our students and community in the Early Bird and on social media. For more information on HSI Week, please visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s website.
Latinx Heritage Month Events
Latinx Heritage Month Kick-Off
Monday, September 16th | 11:00AM – 1:00PM | St. Cajetan’s
Join the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Hispanic Serving Institution Committee and University of Colorado – Denver’s Center for Identity and Inclusion in marking the beginning of celebrating Auraria Latinx students, families, alumni, faculty, staff and community members. All attendees are welcome and can drop in during the time frame to celebrate the many diverse countries, peoples, and cultures of the Caribbean, Central and South America, Spain, and Mexico. We will be having local Latinx identified vendors who will be selling items and talking about various services offered to the Latinx community.
*No registration link required, open to all Auraria Campus
Cocina de los Correcaminos - Tamales
Wednesday, September 18th | 11:00AM – 1:00PM | School of Hospitality Kitchen 208
Cocina de los Correcaminos (Roadrunners’ Kitchen) is a culinary event featuring a detailed demonstration on how to make traditional tamales. Attendees will not only learn the techniques involved in preparing this beloved dish but will also enjoy engaging conversations and delicious food. This event is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their culinary skills and connect with others over a shared love of great cuisine. Join us for an enjoyable and informative experience!
A Million Miles Away Movie Showing
Wednesday, October 2nd | 2:00PM – 4:00PM | JSSB 237
Join us for a movie screening of “A Million Miles Away.” This compelling biopic traces the inspiring journey of José Hernández, who is this year’s Castro Professor on campus on Oct. 8th. From his early days as a farm worker to becoming an engineer and astronaut, the film showcases his incredible perseverance, deep ties to community, and the sacrifices made to achieve a seemingly impossible dream.
Music, Race, & Social Justice Visiting Artist Series: Maria Isa
Thursday, September 19th | 4:00PM | King Center Recital Hall
Singer, songwriter, actress, rapper, activist, youth worker, and international recording artist born and raised in St. Paul’s West Side barrio, Minnesota, Isa grew up immersed in the diverse rhythms of Afro-Latino-Indigenous culture. This rich cultural tapestry influenced her early involvement in the performing arts and activism. Isa has received training from masters of the Afro-Boricua Diaspora in Puerto Rico (Paracumbe, Tito Matos, Los Ayalas), New York City (LP21), and Chicago’s Humboldt Park (Evaristo “Tito” Rodriguez). Additionally, she has honed her vocal skills under the guidance of experts in concert choral music (William White), jazz (Mila Llauger), Afro-Latin music, and hip-hop lyricism.
Since 2009, Isa has been the CEO of her independent label, SotaRico, through which she has released over 13 projects that blend her Minnesota upbringing with Puerto Rican culture into a unique fusion of sound. Isa’s contributions to music and activism earned her the National Hispana Leadership Institute’s “Rising Latina Star” award for her exceptional work with Youthrive Live!, where she educated incarcerated youth in Minnesota and collaborated with several Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
Isa’s music has been featured on multiple networks, including NBC, ABC, MTV, STARZ, Telemundo, VH1, E!, and Bravo. She also wrote and produced music for the Fast & the Furious video game. Recognized as one of the top artists in the Twin Cities, Isa has been highlighted in major Minnesota publications and has performed both nationally and internationally with her original music.
Throughout her career, Isa has shared the stage with renowned artists such as The Roots, Bad Bunny, Common, Moby, Bomba Estéreo, Sheila E, Kendrick Lamar, Wu-Tang Clan, Las Cafeteras, Atmosphere, Pedrito Martinez, Ana Tijoux, La India, LP21, and Redobles de Cultura. She is the founder, producer, and co-host of Latina Theory: Spanglish Podcast, which NPR has listed as one of the top Latinx podcasts in the country. Isa made history as the first hip-hop artist elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives.
She released her latest album, CAPITOLIO, just 12 hours before being sworn into office. The album, which fuses Latin hip-hop and honors her journey as a Latina rapper and politician, was awarded the 2023 Best Minnesota Album of the Year by the Star Tribune. Isa continues to empower through arts and culture, living up to her coined hashtag, #RepWhoRaps.
Viva Southwest Mariachi Festival
Friday, September 20th | 7:00PM | Levitt Pavilion Denver
La Santa Cecilia began their journey serenading passersby on Los Angeles’ historic Olvera Street. Named after the patron saint of music, the band defies musical and cultural boundaries, blending modern music with Latin American influences and Mexican heritage. The group, featuring vocalist La Marisoul, accordionist Pepe Carlos, bassist Alex Bendaña, and percussionist Oso Ramirez, has become the voice of a new bicultural generation in the U.S.
Since bursting onto the scene with their 2011 debut album Noche y Citas, which earned a Latin Grammy nomination, they have won a Grammy, toured extensively, collaborated with legends like Elvis Costello and John Paul Jones, and performed at iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl. La Santa Cecilia is known for using their music to support human rights causes, with their 2012 album El Valor being named one of the best albums of the year by NPR’s Alt Latino.
A Million Miles Away Movie Showing
Wednesday, October 2nd | Noon – 2:00PM | JSSB 237
Join us for a movie screening of “A Million Miles Away.” This compelling biopic traces the inspiring journey of José Hernández, who is this year’s Castro Professor on campus on Oct. 8th. From his early days as a farm worker to becoming an engineer and astronaut, the film showcases his incredible perseverance, deep ties to community, and the sacrifices made to achieve a seemingly impossible dream.
Castro Professorship
Tuesday, October 8th | Noon – 2:00PM | Tivoli Turnhalle
Josė M. Hernández, a former migrant farmworker was selected by NASA as a member of their 19th class of astronauts in 2004. After completing his training, he was selected for a mission in 2007 and flew as the flight engineer in the 2009 14-day STS-128 mission aboard Space Shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. In addition to his flight engineer duties José was also one of two principal robotic arm operators and the first to tweet in English and Spanish from space. Before being selected as an astronaut, José worked at NASA as the Branch Chief of the Materials and Processes Branch at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. There he oversaw the branch’s activities in the areas of materials and processes, fracture control, nondestructive evaluation, failure analysis, and Nano materials research. His branch was also instrumental in participating in the investigation to help find the root cause of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident and reporting those results to the President’s Columbia Accident Investigation Board.
Prior to this, José spent more than 15 years at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where he worked on the development of a space deployed X-Ray laser as part of the Strategic Defense Initiative. He then went on to co-develop the first full-field digital mammography system for the earlier detection of breast cancer thus opening a new area of research called computer-aided diagnosis and was recognized by both the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for this important contribution. He was also the Deputy Program Manager of the Highly Enriched Uranium Implementation program where his team was in charge of implementing a signed bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Russian Federation for the U.S. purchase of highly enriched uranium (HEU) in the form of low enriched uranium (LEU) derived from the dismantlement of Russian nuclear weapons. Finally José was invited to Department of Energy Headquarters in Washington DC to serve as the Laboratory’s Program Manager in the Office of International Material Protection and Cooperation. Here he managed, integrated and allocated Department of Energy assets and expertise, including the national laboratories and contractors, in planning, directing, and implementing U.S. cooperation with the Russian Federation in the program of Nuclear Materials, Protection, Control and Accounting (MPC&A). Jose developed and implemented policies, strategies and plans to enhance U.S. national security and reduce threat of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. These goals were accomplished by rapidly improving the security of large quantities of attractive, weapons-usable nuclear material in Russia’s nuclear weapons complex.
After Jose’s 2009 Space Mission José was assigned to work at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. where he served as a Legislative Analyst and helped in the development of space policy, NASA’s annual budget package and served as liaison with key Congressional members. Additional duties included the development of an effective strategy that promoted the President’s new vision on Space Exploration.
José is a former candidate for U.S. Congress, author of several books including his autobiography “Reaching for the Stars” and the children’s version “The Boy Who Touched the Stars”.
Today, José works as a consultant within the company he founded in 2012, Tierra Luna Engineering. Here, he provides his expertise in business development and strategic operations to help clients develop optimum growth solutions through an integrated approach. He focuses these efforts on companies involved in aerospace technologies and renewable energies.
It’s A Gordita Craft: From Dough to Delicious!
Monday, October 14th | Noon – 2:00PM | Tivoli Multicultural Lounge 261
Join the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion and the University of Colorado Denver’s Center for Identity and Inclusion for an immersive culinary experience in collaboration with Chef Edwin Sandoval, the visionary owner of the Xatrucho food truck. Together, we will embark on a flavorful journey to explore the art of making Gorditas. Chef Sandoval will guide participants through the process, while also delving into the rich cultural significance behind it. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or new to the kitchen, this event promises to be an engaging and delicious way to celebrate diversity and community through food.
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Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI)
Questions? Contact CMEI
Learn More About CMEIPhone:
303-615-0606
Mailing Address:
Campus Box 39, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362