Delta State has several events planned in honor of 2021 National Hispanic Heritage Month. CLEVELAND, Miss.—Now in its third year, Delta State University’s annual observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month has extended its reach to the local community.
Observed each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States.
This year, organizer Sylma Ferreira, instructor of Spanish at Delta State, has partnered with local business owners to host several events that celebrate Hispanic heritage on campus.
A Dominica native, Ferreria has long held an interest in Latin culture, spending 10 years in Latin American countries working on educational projects. With this year’s programming, she hopes to highlight and promote Hispanic heritage on campus and in the community.
“We wanted to bring a little more culture to the program where we could be inclusive of all the Latin Americans on the campus to participate,” said Ferreria.
Activities for this year’s observation of Hispanic Heritage Month include: The Gallery of Latinx and Hispanic American Idols; Cine Club; and The Latin Kitchen.
The Gallery of Latinx and Hispanic American Idols “Galería de Los Iconos Latinos e Hispano-Americanos” displays projects by students on important Latinx and Hispanic American leaders.
“This art exhibit is one of togetherness,” explained Ferrara.
According to Ferrara, the art exhibition helps Latinos who work in our community feel appreciated while also providing students and faculty who are not of Latinx descent to create an appreciation for a culture that they may not have been aware of.
The gallery shows a wide array of authentic relics ranging from traditional wear “Los vestidos tradicionales” to traditional games “Los juegos tradicionales” that are of Hispanic culture.
The exhibition also includes artwork from DSU student Hannah Steward. Steward’s artwork, The Unibrow of Frida Kahlo “La Uniceja de Frida Kahlo,” inspired by Frida Kahlo who was a Mexican painter and activist.
The Gallery of Latinx and Hispanic American Idols will be open from Sept. 20 through Oct. 1, in Kethley Room 235 from 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
To add to the cultural immersion, the Cine Club is a new addition to the Hispanic Heritage Month festivities. The Cine Club is a movie series that highlights the crossing and transition of Hispanic individuals into America. Ferrara’s goal for the Cine Club is to bring out empathy, appreciation and acceptance to Latinx Americans.
The Cine Club showings will be on Sept. 23, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14
The Hispanic Heritage month events will conclude with the Latin Kitchen “La Cocina Latina”.
This event will feature cooking demonstrations for three Hispanic cuisines: La parrilla colombiana, Las aguas frescas de Méjico and Las empanadas puertorriqueñas de guayaba y queso.
The Latin Kitchen will be streamed on Delta State’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee’s webpage on Friday, Oct 15.
Organizers extend a special thanks to No Way Jose’ restaurant, The Little Mexican Store, Delta State’s DEI Committee, Delta State’s Division of Languages and Literature, and other University staff and students for contributing to the success of Hispanic Heritage Month at DSU.
For more information about Delta State’s Hispanic Heritage Month activities, contact Ferreira at sferreira@deltastate.edu.
