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Dustin Luca
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SALEM, MASS. – This Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, Salem State University will host a full slate of cultural events, performances, lectures and community celebrations as it continues its work toward becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, observed from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, will this year see Salem State’s programs and events unified under the theme Collective Heritage: Honoring Our Roots, Inspiring Our Future.
“We're excited to open the academic year centering our regional communities and inviting all students, faculty, staff and community members to come together in learning and celebration,” said Elisa Castillo, assistant vice president for HSI-MSI Initiatives at Salem State. “We’ll also explore how we can look to our culture to inspire us and give us strength.”
The month started early for the university with an event on Sunday, Sept. 7 hosting award-winning Dominican American author Julia Alvarez, as part of the Salem Literary Festival. Alvarez frequently writes about the diaspora experienced by individuals who come from one region but now live scattered across different parts of the world—an experience lived by many on the North Shore.
“Julia’s work explores topics related to identity, culture, politics, relationships, and family relationships within the context of being part of a diaspora,” Castillo said. “We were thrilled to host someone of her stature, who has meant so much to so many in our community who often feel marginalized. Representation matters.”
Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month is preceded by Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week, from Sept. 8 to 14. For that, Salem State will host a campus briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 10 titled Advancing Our Roadmap to Servingness. The event will highlight national HSI trends and share updates on Salem State’s progress toward becoming the Commonwealth’s first four-year public university to become an HSI, work that is essential in serving our communities.
The month opens off-campus, with a flag raising ceremony in downtown Salem’s Riley Plaza, at the intersection of Norman and Washington streets, from 12 to 1:30 pm. While the event is hosted by the City of Salem and Latino Leadership Coalition, all are welcome to join the celebration as the city kicks off Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month.
The month continues with a full calendar of events, including several on campus. Friday, Sept. 19, the first Lunch and Learn of the academic year will focus on what’s going on in Puerto Rico today through the lens of Puerto Rican urban music star and singer Bad Bunny. A Latin American Dance Workshop will take over the Ellison Campus Center’s Veterans Hall on Thursday, Sept. 25, where attendees will learn the basic steps to the Merengue, Salsa and Bachata.
The month will end with two events in Veterans Hall celebrating the work of others. On Tuesday, Oct. 14, Lorna Rivera and Melissa Colon of UMass Boston will launch a book titled “Critical Perspectives on Latino Education in Massachusetts.” Two days later, the month will close with the Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month ’25 Dinner. The event will feature vibrant music, flavorful dishes from throughout Latin America, and several guest speakers including Regina Zaragoza Frey, the City of Salem’s inaugural director of diversity, equity and inclusion.
For more on the Sept. 10 event and to register, please visit this page. For a full list of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month events, including times and locations, please visit this page.