Buffalo State Commemorates Latino Experience during Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Buffalo State’s second annual celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month will present a series of events designed to raise awareness of Hispanic heritage. This year’s theme focuses on the Afro-Latino experience, with events designed to pay homage to the entire Hispanic community.

“It’s about the whole Hispanic experience,” said Marko Miletich, assistant professor of Spanish and translation, who was instrumental in the planning and implementation of these events. “The goal is to raise knowledge and awareness among students about the Hispanic influence and contribution to the United States, the diversity within Hispanics, and the number of Hispanic students we have on campus.”

National Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as a weeklong commemoration of the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Since 1988, it has been celebrated annually between September 15 and October 15. During this month, Americans recognize the immeasurable contributions of the ancestors of American citizens who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South and Central America.

On the importance of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Miletich said, “The celebration emphasizes the contributions that Hispanics have made to culture, both in the United States and worldwide—contributions in politics, the arts, literature, in everything.”

Buffalo State’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month came together through collaboration between the Modern and Classical Languages, English, and Music departments; the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium; and the Equity and Campus Diversity Office. The full schedule of events is as follows:

• Documentary screening, Mexico and Peru: The Black Grandma in the Closet. 12:15–1:30 p.m. Friday, September 15, in the Campbell Student Union
• Latino Poetry Slam, organized by Lorna Perez, Ph.D. 12:15–1:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 19, in the Campbell Student Union
• Salsa/Afro Latin Dance with Fanny Olaya, ’20. 12:15–1:30 p.m. Thursday, September 21, in the Campbell Student Union
• Documentary screening, The Garifuna. 12:15–1:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 26, in the Campbell Student Union
• Mayan Archeoastronomy. 6:00–7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 27, in the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium
• Hispanic-Themed Student-Faculty Mixer. 12:15–1:30 p.m. Thursday, September 28, in Buckham Hall B234
• Mayan Archeoastronomy. 1:00–1:50 p.m. Friday, September 29, in the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium
• Latin@ Roundtable Discussion. 12:15–1:30 p.m. Thursday, October 12, in the Campbell Student Union
• Experiencia Latina, Music and Modern and Classical Languages departments collaboration, 7:30–8:30 p.m. Thursday, October 12, in Ciminelli Recital Hall

All events are free and open to the public.

The Faculty-Student Association and the Equity and Campus Diversity Office provided funding for the celebration.

Graphic designed by students of DES 370: Visual Communications II during the spring 2023 semester.