Multicultural Affairs

2009 University of Richmond Latino-Hispanic Heritage Celebration- September 12- October 15

"Nuestra Comunidad: Our Community- This is Who We Are" 

UR & VCU Bus Trip to Smithsonian Latino Center in DC- Saturday, September 12, 10 a.m. -7:00 p.m.

Come join VCU and UR students for a bus trip to DC to be a part of the Smithsonian's Heritage Month 2009 family-day series. The theme is "Living in Many Worlds," which explores the dynamic intersection of family, history, and cultural identity. The trip is free and seating is limited. Please contact Jean-Pierre Laurenceau-Medina at jlaurenc@richmond.edu or call (804)289-8032 to reserve a seat now!

Hispanic Film Festival @ Collegiate School- Saturday, September 12 

Come one, come all to 'Cine de mi Gente', Richmond's very first annual Latino Film Festival -- at The Collegiate School on River Road in Henrico County, on Saturday, September 12!!! 

Richmond's Chapter 4611 of LULAC (the League of United Latin American Citizens, www.lulac.org) is trying to raise money to help improve ESL programs for young people and adults all across Central Virginia. Our long-term goal is to raise enough scholarship money with the Virginia Latino Higher Education Network (www.VALHEN.org) to send hundreds of Latino students to college.

From 11:00 a.m. - 9:300 p.m. we'll be screening three acclaimed feature films: 

-- 'Central do Brasil/Central Station' (Portuguese with English subtitles), the 1998 Oscar-nominated movie about how the plight of a young orphan trying find his father changes the life of a mean spirited former school teacher who now types letters for illiterate residents of Rio de Janeiro. 

 -- 'Machuca' (Spanish, with English subtitles), this 2004 movie set in September 973 Chile relates the difficult political circumstances that threaten the close friendship between two elementary school classmates, one who lives in the slums of the capital city, Santiago, and the other who lives in a much more affluent part of town. 

 -- 'Sin Nombre' (Spanish, with English subtitles), released to U.S. theaters briefly earlier in 2009, this graphic, powerful movie highlights the many hardships that face -- and terrible tragedies that frequently befall --- the thousands of Central American teenagers who every year hitchhike and scrounge for food through Mexico to reunite with parents who live in the United States. (The same subject was also explored in the recent HBO documentary 'Which Way Home.')

   In addition, we will be screening a 30-minute documentary by a Richmond, VA filmmaker who highlights the experiences of a small group of undocumented immigrants living in Central Virginia; a panel discussion will follow. 

Local Latino Artists will be displaying and showing their work.  Food Vendors will be selling food representing the diverse Latin-American Cuisine.  We hope to see you there!

Celebrating Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month on "The Rainbow Minute"

During Hispanic Heritage Month, America celebrates the culture and traditions of residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Originally observed in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Johnson, it was expanded by President Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending October 15. September 15 was chosen as the starting date because it was that day in 1821 that five Latin American countries declared their independence: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In the 2000 Census, more than 35 million people identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino. This week, we'll be honoring some, who also happened to be gay, lesbian or bisexual. 

This one-minute LGBT history and culture show will air these episodes on WRIR - 97.3fm. Heard 9:03am,12:30pm and 4:30pm Monday - Friday.

  • September 14 - "The History of Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month"
  • September 15 - "Film Idol, Ramon Novarro"
  • September 16 - "The Power of Frida Kahlo"
  • September 17 - "Michael Nava, Mystery Writer"
  • September 18 - "Acclaimed Performer and Singer, Chavela Vargas"

***These episodes will also be heard on WDCE - 90.1fm on the music show, "We're a Happy Family," every Saturday 11am-1pm, September 12 thru October 10.

"The Rainbow Minute" is produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns at WRIR in Richmond, Virginia.

"Nuestra Comunidad: Our Community- This is Who We Are" A Night of Celebration- Tuesday, September 15, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.- Heilman Dining Center

Student, Faculty, staff and local community members are invited to the Heilman Dining Center to launch the University's Latino-Hispanic Heritage month celebration. Authentic cuisine from several Latin American regions will be prepared by the dining staff, and student and guest performers will entertain. Cost per person at the door will be $12.00. Financial assistance is available for faculty, staff, and students. Please contact Jean-Pierre Laurenceau-Medina at jlaurenc@richmond.edu or call (804)289-8032 for more information. 

Latino-Hispanic Authors and Books Exhibit - September 15 - October 15 - First Floor Research Commons, Boatwright Library.

International Film Series- El Baño del Papa (The Pope's Toilet)- Friday, September 18 (3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.) & Sunday, September 20 (7:30 p.m.)- Jepson Hall, room 118

The International Film Series has been transporting people from the Richmond campus to the far corners of the world for 20 years. The Media Resource Center and the Office of International Education will present El Baño del Papa (The Pope's Toilet)(Uruguay, 2007) directed by César Chalone and Enrique Fernández.

Salsa/Latin Dance and Cultural Festival with live band BioRitmo - Tuesday, September 22, 5:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m.- Forum

Our Community: Celebrate Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month on the Forum through art, music (live band), and dance (free salsa dance lessons). Meet and greet with students representing all different nations and learn more about the diversity of cultures that makes up the Latino-Hispanic community at the University of Richmond. Light refreshments will be provided.

Bonner Center for Civic Engagement Brown Bag:  From Ocotitlan, Mexico to Richmond, Va: A Filmmaker's Quest to Understand Migratory Motivations- Friday, September 25, 12:30 p.m. -1:25 p.m.- Tyler Haynes Commons- Room 333

In celebration of Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month, the CCE will screen the documentary "El Viajecito de un Sueno(The Little Trip of a Dream)" with Richmond film director, Jen Lawhorne. The documentary portrays lives of undocumented people living in Richmond, the lives they left behind in Mexico, and the reality of crossing the U.S./Mexico border. The Little Trip of a Dream is about an experience where the connections between two worlds become stronger and solidarity tears down walls (34 mins; English and Spanish subtitles).

Que Pasa Festival- Saturday, September 26, 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m.

The Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is holding its 7th annual ¿Qué Pasa? Festival. Once again, the Festival will be held at the Science Museum of Virginia. The Festival is held in celebration of The Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th. - October 15th.). The ¿Qué Pasa? Festival includes: headliner musical talent; folkloric dancing performances; arts and crafts; authentic food vendors - showcasing various types of Hispanic foods from several regions; a kid's area and much more. Last year, we had over 4,000 attendees, and this year, we are expecting more. Visit http://www.quepasafestival.com/info.html for more information.

Café Con Leche program series:

Mi Comunidad In Pictures: A Faux Latino Finding Community Here, There, Everywhere- presented by Dr. David Salisbury- Thursday, October 1, 12:00 noon -1:30pm- Tyler Haynes Commons- glass-enclosed Think Tank (second floor)

Professor David Salisbury reflects on his life, research, and travels as a faux Latino. Immediately after college he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala watching his Guatemalan friends periodically leave illegally for the states. Following this he travelled extensively in Central America and Mexico including walking across the border into the United States. Now he continues to build his comunidad through his friendships in the United States and his collaborative research in Amazonia. Café con Leche (coffee with milk) and pastries will be provided.

A Hidden" Comunidad: Dr. Elin Doval- Thursday, October 8, 12:00 noon-1:30pm- Tyler Haynes Commons- glass-enclosed Think Tank (second floor)

In co-sponsorship with The Virginia Latino Higher Education Network (VALHEN), Dr. Elin Doval will present her research entitled "Self-Determination for Students with Disabilities from a Hispanic Background in Transition from School to Work". Café con Leche (coffee with milk) and pastries will be provided.

Family Weekend: English Tongue Latin Soul Performance with Luis Inoa- Saturday, October 3- 7:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m.- Alice Haynes Room

This program consists of personal poetic storytelling from birth to the ever turbulent "college years" (where a majority of the poetry was writ-ten) all in an attempt for Luis to define himself by himself instead of being defined by others. The presentation is set to music (the universal language), poetry and images, but the real value in the program is in the hopes that you take your own journey to reflect and discover who you are and why. Topics regarding being Latino, Homophobia, Divorce, Machismo, Going to College, Love, and Self- Identity will be explored. A reception will follow the program.

"Shine: Rejoicing in Our Roots while Reaching Out"- Thursday, October 15- 5:00 p.m.- 7 p.m.- Jepson Hall, room 120

Born and raised in the Mexican barrios of Tucson, Arizona, José Galvez carried his homemade shoeshine box into the offices of the local newspaper where he met his destiny. He went on to be the first college graduate in his family and later, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer for the Los Angeles Times. For over 40 years Galvez has photographed everyday Latino life across the United States. He shows his work everywhere from the Smithsonian to the local low-rider show. A nationally-known speaker, Galvez will present photographs from his wide collection while encouraging us to reach back to honor our roots, reach up to achieve our greatest potential, and reach out to serve our community. A reception will follow the program.

 "Democracy and Change in Venezuela"- Sunday, October 18- 3:00 p.m.- Jepson Faculty Lounge

Ruth Caprilles holds a PhD from Central University of Venezuela in political science and has taught political science at the catholic University Andres Bello, where she is "Chief of the Center for Information and Documentation on Economic Crime" and author of various books and articles on leadership, business and politics including LIBRO ROJO DEL RESENTIMIENTO (Random House, 2008).

Co-Sponsors/Contributors

Boatwright Library/Media Services, Campus Facilities, Bonner Center for Civic Engagement, Student Activities, Office of Student Development, Richmond College, Westhampton College, Career Development Center, Multicultural Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond Dining Services, Spanish & Latino Student Alliance (SALSA), School of Business, Office of International Education, Department of Geography, Common Ground, "The Rainbow Minute" produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns at WRIR in Richmond, Virginia, WRIR - 97.3fm, WDCE - 90.1fm, C&L Electric Company, eTEC Mechanical Corporation, EMC Mechanical Services, Ace Electric Company, Draper Aden Associates, James River Air Conditioning Co., Capital Lighting & Supply, Dunlap & Partners, and BCWH Architects.