Hispanic Heritage Month
Theme: “Prosperity, Power and Progress”
EVENTS
Diversity, Coffee and Conversations
Tuesday, Sept. 5 | 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment
*Open to UA students, faculty, staff and UA System employees
This monthly event kicks off the academic year with a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is held annually Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.
Join us for a presentation by Dr. Yunuen Gómez-Ocampo on this month’s national theme of prosperity, power and progress in America, recognizing the significant strides of Hispanics in the economic, political, and social growth of the United States. Dr. Gómez-Ocampo is an instructor of Spanish at UA and received her Ph.D. in Hispanic Literature from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research focuses on 20th century and 21st century Latin American, Latinx and Caribbean studies, cultural studies, migration studies and gender theory.
Breakfast will feature scrambled eggs, Mexican chorizo, breakfast potatoes, flour tortillas, fruit, and beverages. Diversity, Coffee and Conversation, hosted by the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, takes place on first Tuesdays (except January) of the academic year. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Pop-Up Shop: National Hispanic Heritage Month
Wednesday, Sept. 6 | noon | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
Open to UA students, faculty and staff, UA System employees
The Intercultural Diversity Center and the Hispanic-Latino Association will kick off the Pop-Up Shop series by commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month through activities, food, music, digital exhibitions, and more. National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in the United States and recognizes the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the U.S. Guests will learn about this year’s theme of prosperity, power and progress, recognizing the significant strides of Hispanics in the economic, political and social growth in the United States. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
TEDTalk Tuesday: Connecting Communities in Crisis
Tuesday, Sept. 12 | noon-1 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
Open to UA students, faculty, staff, and UA System employees
In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Intercultural Diversity Center kicks off the TEDTalk Tuesday Series by featuring Venezuelan activist Johanna Figueira. She discusses her work with Code for Venezuela, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing technologists and innovators together to address her country’s pressing needs for information, medicine and supplies. This mission-driven platform brings simple but effective tech into Venezuelan communities to provide connections and information during times of crisis. Figueira shows how organizations like Code for Venezuela bring effective solutions, hold governments accountable, and bring hope to communities. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
¡La Gozadera! Kick-Off Event
Thursday, Sept. 14 | 5 p.m.-8 p.m. | Student Center lawn
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
Open to UA students, faculty and staff, UA System employees
The Hispanic-Latino Association in partnership with University Programs, Sigma Alpha Mu, and the Intercultural Diversity Center will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the ¡La Gozadera! Kickoff event. This program celebrates Hispanic-Latino culture through activities, food and music, provides an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the Hispanic-Latino Association, and more. For more information, contact the Hispanic-Latino Association at hla@ua.edu.
CITY OF TUSCALOOSA EVENT
La Feria 2023!
Friday, Sept. 15 | 6 p.m.-9 p.m. | Government Plaza
La Feria, which is Spanish for “the fair,” will be presented by the Tuscaloosa Latino Coalition and the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama’s Diverse Business Council to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month. The family event, which will celebrate the countries and cultures of Latin America and their connection to the Tuscaloosa community, will showcase Latino businesses and feature food trucks, music/dance, games and activities. Read more about the event.
TEDTalk Tuesday: How the new generation of Latinx voters could change US elections
Tuesday, Sept. 19 | noon-1 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
Open to UA students, faculty and staff and UA System employees
In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Intercultural Diversity Center continues its TEDTalk Tuesday Series with civic leader María Teresa Kumar. In this talk, Kumar discusses the role and value voting has within all groups. She highlights specifically topics closest to youth Latinx voters, including health care, climate equity and justice. Furthermore, she addresses how Latinx voters are a growing demographic that could shape American politics for decades to come. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Women and Gender Resource Center Book Club Readings
September’s book for both groups is “The House of the Spirits” by Isabel Allende. The book shares the triumphs and tragedies of three generations of the Trueba family.
EveryStudent Book Club
Wednesday, Sept. 20 | noon-1 p.m.| Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
EveryStudent Book Club is dedicated to providing literary enjoyment and diversity, equity and inclusion discussions for the undergraduate population at UA. Books are available in the Women and Gender Resource Center’s Frances S. Summersell Library and through major retailers. The group, which is designed for undergraduate students, meets the third Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. in the Intercultural Diversity Center on the 2nd floor of the Student Center. All undergraduates are welcome to join, and lunch is provided. RSVP is required.
EveryWoman Book Club
Thursday, Sept. 28 | noon-1 p.m. | Legend’s Bistro, Hotel Capstone
EveryWoman Book Club is open to faculty, staff, community members and graduate students. The Women and Gender Resource Center has hosted EveryWoman Book Club for more than 15 years. The group meets monthly to discuss books written by women. Book themes often correspond to cultural heritage or awareness months. The Center usually reserves at least one copy for Book Club members at its library. The book can be reserved and picked up by calling 205-348-5040. You can join the book club by emailing WGRC program coordinator Elizabeth Lester.
‘A Thousand Bridges: The History of Latinos in the United States’
Monday, Sept. 25 | 4 p.m. | Gorgas Library, Camellia Room
The UA Latin American, Carribean, and Latinx Studies Program will sponsor this event in honor of Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month. Dr. Geraldo Cadava will deliver a lecture titled “A Thousand Bridges: The History of Latinos in the United States,” to be followed by a reception. Dr. Cadava is professor of history at Northwestern University and author of “The Hispanic Republican: The Shaping of An American Political Identity, from Nixon to Trump” (Ecco/HarperCollins, 2020), as well as “Standing on Common Ground: The Making of a Sunbelt Borderland” (Harvard, 2013).
Culverhouse DEI Speaker Series
Wednesday, Sept. 27 | noon-1 p.m. | 225 Bidgood Hall
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Culverhouse College of Business welcomes Daisy Mendoza, branch manager, with Regions Bank for the DEI Speaker Series. Mendoza will share information about her educational and career journey. This event is open to Culverhouse students. Email cpmiller1@ua.edu for more information or RSVP.
Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month Panel Discussion
Tuesday, Oct. 3 | 4 p.m.-5 p.m. | 2408 Student Center
The Women and Gender Resource Center will host a discussion on the life and legacy of labor and women’s rights activist Dolores Huerta. Panelists will be UA Department of Modern Languages and Classics faculty Dr. Ignacio F. Rodeño, professor of Spanish; Dr. Yunuen Gómez-Ocampo, instructor of Spanish; and Dr. Micah McKay, assistant professor of Spanish. Snacks will be provided.
COMMUNITY
Tuscaloosa Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Saturday, Sept. 30 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Main Branch
The Tuscaloosa Public Library will host a free, family-friendly Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration in the parking lot of its main branch. The event includes music, food, crafts, and booths representing various countries. Also, author Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez will sign copies of her book “Sweet Dreams, Mis Hijo” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hispanic Heritage Game Night
Thursday, Oct. 5 | 6 p.m.-9 p.m. | Great Hall and Porch, Student Center
University Programs, the Hispanic-Latino Association and the Women and Gender Resource Center will sponsor Hispanic Heritage Game Night featuring karaoke, Loteria, painting and trivia. Test your knowledge of Hispanic facts and games and win swag and have a good time. Treats will be available from Mi Casita Bakery. The event is open to everyone.
RESOURCES
Videos
History/News
- Presidential Proclamation on National Hispanic Heritage Month 2023
- U.S. Census Bureau: National Hispanic Heritage Month
- National Archives: Hispanic Heritage Month
- National Museum of American History: Hispanic Heritage Month 2022
- Why People are Split on Using ‘Latinx’
- About One-in-Four U.S. Hispanics Have Heard of Latinx, but Just 3% Use It
- Why Hispanic Heritage Month Starts in the Middle of September
- Smithsonian Latino Center: free events, teaching and learning resources
- NPR: music, interviews and podcasts celebrating the diversity of the Latinx community
- Podcast: Who You Calling ‘Hispanic’?