Shown here is a scene from the Ferris State University Center for Latn@ Studies open
house event on Wednesday, Sept. 1 from Bulldog Beginnings.More than a dozen events are scheduled during a five-week period on the Ferris State University campus and virtually to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which recognizes and salutes the Latino/a/x community.
Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center Executive Director and co-founder Kaylee Burke said their planning committee collaborated on a schedule of activities designed to pay tribute to an increasingly impactful element of life at Ferris and the Kendall College of Art and Design.
“Each year, this is an opportunity for our campus not only to recognize but celebrate the significant contributions of the Hispanic/Latino/a/x community, which has been accounted to over half of the population growth across the United States, according to 2020 census data,” Burke said. “Our community is changing, and the lineup the Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee arranged helps to reflect the growing diversity and intersectionality of our community.”
Office of Multicultural Student Services Assistant Director Darnell Lewis said a highlight activity in the first week of Hispanic Heritage Month is the LatinXpo, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16 on the Dewaine V. and Jana B. Robinson Quad.
“We will have a Zumba instructor, meringue dancing and an Afro/Latinx spoken word artist, along with Spanish cuisine and music,” Lewis said. “While we put an emphasis on participant safety, which would include wearing masks at our indoor activities, we are thrilled that KCAD and a variety of educational partners across the Ferris campus offered sponsorship support and involvement.”
The events available in the virtual presentation include “Presente! Latinos Y Latinas in the 21st Century,” with guest speaker Rosa Clemente. Those wishing to take part virtually from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, are invited to seek the Zoom meeting ID: 984 1951 6886 for that event.
Lewis said whether the activity is indoors, outdoors or virtual, they hope for strong participation from the Ferris and Kendall campus communities.
“We welcome everyone. There will be many options to enjoy, along with learning more about Ferris’ Latina-based fraternities and sororities,” Lewis said. “The support we have received in this return to a full schedule of activities has been gratifying.”