Check out 60+ programs at Latinx Connect 2021

The Latinx Connect conference kicked off Thursday with a spotlight on powerful voices that spurred essential dialogue about Latinx identities, cultures and contemporary issues. 

“There was rich, collective conversation,” said Bianca DeJesus, a conference leader and the director of First-Year Programs in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.

Several panel moderators described the virtual conference’s first day as moving.

“Panelists recognized generational connections and collective efforts to see ourselves, challenge anti-Blackness and foster community empowerment," said Michele Reid-Vazquez, an associate professor in the Department of Africana Studies. "I was truly moved by their passion and personal commitment.”

More than 60 events over three days showcase speakers and programs centered on education, immigration, civil rights, arts and culture, health equity, intersectional identities, and gender equality. It is free and open to all.

Gina Ann Garcia, an associate professor in the Department of Educational Foundations, Organizations and Policy, shared insights on the session focused on Latinx Affairs in Pennsylvania.

“Political advocates brought to light numerous issues the growing Pennsylvania Latinx population is facing,” said Garcia, who is also the conference emcee. “The community is underserved and, in many ways, invisible despite being 8 percent of the state’s population. They stressed the need for better data to track the health, education and political needs of the community and the dire need to translate resources into both Spanish and Portuguese to ensure awareness of services and programs.”

Don’t miss it

The standout Latinx Artifact Virtual Showcase has high engagement even beyond the immediate campus community. This initiative is a collaboration between Pitt’s Hispanic Latino Professional Association (HLPA), Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and the Center for Creativity.

“We’ve received more than 40 submissions, and many are extremely powerful,” said Doreen Hernández, an administrator at GSPIA’s Johnson Institute for Responsible Leadership and a co-founder and chair of HLPA. “This component highlights our Latinx communities at Pitt, throughout Pittsburgh and the region. It’s giving visibility to the diversity of our community and helping to develop meaningful relationships through the power of storytelling.” 

Also, featured speakers include:

• Bamby Salcedo, a Mexican-American transgender activist and the founder of the Los Angeles-based TransLatin@ Coalition.
• Eduardo Chavez, an activist and director of the 2018 documentary, Hailing Cesar, which chronicles Chavez’s journey to understand the legacy and struggle of his grandfather, the legendary civil rights activist César Chávez.
• Michael Rodríguez-Muñiz, Northwestern University professor and author of Figures of the Future: Latino Civil Rights and the Politics of Demographic Change.
• Amalia Daché, an Afro-Cuban scholar and lead editor of the book, Rise Up! Activism as Education.

If you go

Register now, or visit the Latinx Connect conference site for updates and details on the programs, including live music, yoga, salsa dancing and more, happening through Saturday.

— Visuals courtesy of Maria Lopez and Doreen Hernández