Center for Multicultural Initiatives (CMI)

North Foundation Hall, Room 104
318 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309
(location map)
(248) 370-4404
cmi@oakland.edu

Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m

A student smirking

Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a national recognition of the culture, contributions and heritage of Hispanic Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.

It is a long-standing tradition at Oakland University to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month during the month of September to celebrate the history, politics and culture of Hispanic people, locally and globally.

HHM PhotosHHM Videos

Events

2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Events

Immigration Film Festival
Hispanics already represent close to 18.4% of the U.S. population and have accounted for half of the population growth in recent years. Come join us to enjoy a series of timely films and documentaries that will give you new insights into this issue. This year we are joined by internationally acclaimed director Amat Escalante (director of several episodes of Narcos) for our final event.

Wednesday, September 14 through Monday, October 20
Art Exhibition of Dalia Reyes
Oakland Center, Lower Level

Wednesday, September 14 | Miércoles 14 de Septiembre
Opening Ceremony
Presentation: Sueños / Leaving Home- New Works on Paper by Dalia Reyes
Dalia Reyes is an interdisciplinary artist from southwest Detroit and the Director of Contemporary Art for Galerie Camille, gallery located in Midtown Detroit.  She received a BA in Fine Arts Studies from College for Creative Studies in 2010. Dalia has been in the arts sector for seventeen years working in mostly arts and culture based non-profit organizations ranging from local galleries, arts fellowship organizations and museums. Dalia has exhibited her own work and has curated exhibitions in and around the city of Detroit and Mexico. Her work is cosmic, meditative and focuses on a metaphysical curiosity as well as surreal imagery.
Oakland Center, The Habitat | 12 p.m.

Thursday, September 15 | Jueves 15 de Septiembre
Immigration Film Festival Viewing of Los Lobos
Director Samuel Kishi
Oakland Center, Founders Ballroom C | 5:30 p.m.
Register Here (This event can be attended in person or via zoom)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-immigration-film-festival-los-lobos-dir-samuel-kishi-tickets-408125713997?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

Tuesday, September 20 | Martes 20 de Septiembre
Immigration Film Festival Viewing of Me llamaban Tiger King
Director Angel Estrada
Virtual | 5:30 p.m.
Register Here 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-immigration-film-fest-me-llamaban-king-tiger-dir-angel-estrada-tickets-408144680727?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

Saturday, September 24 | Sábado 24 de Septiembre

Community Service Project at Hispanic Outreach Center
Work alongside Hispanic Outreach Center students and mentors to prepare their facility and grounds for the fall. Lunch provided to those who sign up here
Meet at the Hispanic Outreach Center, 76 Williams, Pontiac, MI | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Tuesday, September 27 | Martes 27 de Septiembre
Immigration Film Festival Viewing of Los niños del éxodo
Director Wilma Gómez Luengo
Virtual | 5:30 p.m.
Register Here 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-immigration-film-fest-los-ninos-del-exodo-dir-wilma-gomez-luengo-tickets-408162694607?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

Tuesday, October 4 | Martes 4 de Octubre
On The Divide
A Film by Maya Cueva
The LatinxERG, OU Women and Gender Studies department, and the Klein center present a PBS film called On the Divide showing pro-choice and pro-life experiences in the border town, of McAllen, Texas. Lunch and women's health care information tables.
Oakland Center Habitat | 12 - 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 4 | Martes 4 de Octubre
Immigration Film Festival Viewing of Fabiola
Director Marlon Lara
A hands-on workshop with the director. We will work on creating a storybook to tell the story of Fabiola’s deportation and compare our options against Mr. Lara’s short film.
Human Health Building, Room 1050 | 5:30 p.m.
Register Here (This event can be attended in person or via zoom)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-immigration-film-fest-tickets-408170608277?aff=odcleoeventsincollection 

Thursday, October 6 | Jueves 6 de Octubre
Hispanic Heritage Month Book Club
Featured book: The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez
Join us as we celebrate Hispanic and Latinx authors! Though we will be highlighting the featured work of Cristina Henriquez, reading the book is not required to attend this event. We will provide an opportunity for folks to share their favorite Hispanic and Latinx authors and/or works.
Oakland Center, Lake Erie | 12 – 1 p.m. 

Tuesday, October 11 | Martes 11 de Octubre
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Fur Angels
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, help us create awareness of the importance of mental health care. Join the Fury Angels, OU's LatinxERG, OU Recreation Center & OU's Communication Journalism, and Public Relations department to promote our mental health.
Where: Habitat from noon-2:00pm, lunch provided
Oakland Center Habitat | 12 – 2 p.m. 

Thursday, October 13 | Jueves 13 de Octubre
SHPE Networking Event
This networking event will focus on companies of engineering and computer science specifically with hispanic connections. Companies will host a table where students will be able to walk around and meet the professionals from these companies.
Engineering Center, Atrium | 12 – 1 p.m. 

Thursday, October 13 | Jueves 13 de Octubre
Immigration Film Festival Viewing of Heli
Director Amat Escalante
Mr. Escalante will be present for Q&A after the film.
Human Health Building, Room 1050 | 5:30 p.m.
Register Here (This event can be attended in person or via zoom)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-immigration-film-fest-heli-dir-amat-escalante-tickets-408173998417?aff=odcleoeventsincollection 

Monday, October 17 | Lunes 17 de Octubre
Immigration Film Festival Viewing of COVER/AGE
Director Set Hernandez Rongkilyo
View the film HERE prior to the event and come prepared for a discussion and debrief hosted by the OUWB Office of Diversity & Inclusion
O'Dowd Hall, Room 110 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Register Here (This event can be attended in person or via zoom)

Monday, October 20 | Lunes 20 de Octubre
Closing Ceremony
Oakland Center, Gold Rooms B & C | 12 – 2 p.m.

Committee

2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Committee

  • Adolfo Campoy-Cubillo, Modern Languages & Literature, Spanish, Assistant Professor
  • Nicole Lucio, Center for Multicultural Initiatives, Assistant Director
  • Jean Ann Miller, Center for Student Activities, Director
  • Cecilia Saenz-Roby, Modern Languages and Literature, Spanish, Associate Professor
Sponsors

2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Sponsors

  • Center for Multicultural Initiatives
  • Office for Student Involvement
  • Hispanic American Leadership Organization
  • Spanish Club
  • Sigma Delta Pi
  • Department of Modern Languages and Literatures