ECC’s Latinx Heritage Month focuses on belonging

Elgin Community College invites the community to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month (LHM) with a series of events to celebrate the 2023 theme “Belonging: Familia, Herencia, y Poder.” 

LHM kicks off with a presentation and discussion on human rights in Illinois. The panel experts from the Illinois Human Rights Commission, Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Chicago Workers’ Collaborative, and grassroots organizers. This event is free and open to the public, and simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be provided. 

The month ends with a special celebration of Indigenous heritage from the Black Hawk Performance Company, who share their native heritage through tribal songs and dances. 

“With this Latinx Heritage Month’s theme, we wanted to recognize that more than 13,000 new arrivals, most fleeing poverty and political unrest in Venezuela, have joined the Chicagoland community in the last year,” said Antonio Ramirez, PhD, associate professor of history. “These families are searching for belonging in our community, and we want to help. At the same time, we want to recognize the heritage and power of Latinx people who’ve lived their whole lives in the U.S. by including events focused on human rights, music, and our annual Latinx Conexion event.”

The full line-up of Latinx Heritage Month events includes the following:

Human Rights in the Latinx Community and Beyond

Thursday, September 21

5:30 to 7 pm

Building B, Jobe Lounge

Attendees are invited to learn about the Illinois Human Rights Commission and the protections against discrimination under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation provided.Latinx Conexion

Tuesday, September 26

11 am to 1 pm

Building B, Spartan Corner Lounge

Get connected with various campus departments and resources. Prominent Latinx leaders from ECC, transfer institutions, and the Elgin community will be present.

Venezuela: Why Refugees are Fleeing to the U.S.

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

2 to 3:15 pm

Building B, Room B181, Community Room

Learn about the crisis in Venezuela and the Venezuelan refugee migration in the US. During this event, attendees will get the chance to hear from local experts on how it affects our community and what we can do to help.

Gallery Reception: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Wednesday, October 4

3:30 to 7 pm

Building C, Renner Library Hallway Gallery

Join us for a gallery reception featuring a collection of images that reveal the complicated process of creating a new reality in pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.

¡Si Se Puede! Movie

Tuesday, October 10

12:30 to 2 pm

Building B, Room B182, Alumni Room

Catch the inspiring story of Dolores Huerta and the impact she had on the history of the United States Farm Workers of America. Attendees will also have the chance to win a framed poster of the movie.

Black Hawk Dance Troupe

Wednesday, October 11

11 am to 12 pm

Building B, Jobe Lounge

Join in celebrating Indigenous heritage. From 11 am to 12 pm, The Black Hawk Performance Company will share their native heritage through tribal songs and dances that enrich native people’s lives.

For more information, visit elgin.edu/lhm. Latinx Heritage Month is presented by the Latinx Heritage Month Committee, Office of Student Life, Art and Design Department, History and Political Science Department, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Department, and the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS).