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Hispanic Heritage Month

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Every year from September–October 15, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, a tribute dedicated to Hispanic/Latine Heritage. During this time, we pay tribute to the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latine community in the United States. 

The observance of Hispanic/Latine Heritage month traces its origins back to 1968 and was officially enshrined into law in 1988. September 15 marks the inaugural day of this annual celebration is rooted in its connection to the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

As a Hispanic Serving Institution, we look forward to participating. This celebration is shared with fellow HSI-designated institutions across the nation to acknowledge and honor the collective efforts of more than 500 HSIs nationwide. These institutions play an invaluable role in educating and empowering Hispanic and Latine college students.

This year's theme is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together," which is meant to capture the Hispanic experience's "spirit of innovation, resilience, and unity."

Throughout this month, we will host special programming and events on our campuses. We encourage you to participate and find ways throughout the entire year to support, celebrate, and acknowledge our students, faculty, staff as well as our friends and neighbors who make our greater Hispanic/Latine community such an integral part of our college and our state.

We are also launching a celebratory campaign at each campus and on social media to recognize inspiring Hispanic members of our faculty and staff. If you would like to nominate a colleague, please fill out our submission form and share with us how and why that particular faculty or staff member inspires you on a daily basis. We will share submissions on this page and in future editions of Knight Knowledge.

*Events added throughout the month. Please check back for additional events.  
 

CCRI Library Book Displays
Sponsored by CCRI’s Learning Commons
🗓️ September 13–October 15
📍 All campus Libraries

CCRI Learning Commons on all four campuses are proud to present a curated collection of books highlighting the rich diversity, culture, and contributions of Hispanic authors. The collection, available at all CCRI Library locations, offers students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to engage with a variety of voices that reflect the cultural heritage and literary achievements of Hispanic and Latinx authors.

Portraits: A Visual Telling of Hispanic and Latinè Stories
Organized by the Office of Student Engagement
🗓️ September 25–26
📍 Providence Campus (Atrium)

🗓️ September 30–October 1
📍 Warwick Campus (Great Hall)

🗓️ October 2–3
📍 Lincoln Campus (Cafeteria)

🗓️ October 7–8
📍 Newport County Campus (Atrium)

Visibility is a powerful tool. The Office of Student Engagement will be hosting PORTRAITS, a visual event featuring images of prominent members of the Hispanic and Latinè community throughout history, complete with biographies for attendees to learn more about the community and celebrate its members. The event will include an information desk with giveaways and handouts explaining how CCRI supports and celebrates its Hispanic and Latinè members.

2024 Fiesta Latina
Sponsored by CCRI Admissions and Conexion Latina
🗓️ Saturday, September 21
⏰ 12–6 pm
📍 Newport Campus (Great Friends Meeting House Lawn)

Stop by CCRI’s table at the 2024 Fiesta Latina hosted by Conexion Latina for free giveaways! This community event celebrates the contributions and cultures of the Hispanic Community on Aquidneck Island.

Muralists and Community Spaces
Sponsored by CCRI’s DEI Council and The Sullivan Foundation
🗓️ Wednesday, September 25
⏰ 1–2 pm
📍 Lincoln Campus (Room 1336)

Join local artists Marta V. Martinez, Executive Director of Rhode Island Latino Arts, and RILA Mural Artist Rene Gomez as they share with the community how muralists and art can be used to create a sense of belonging in community spaces. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend.

Celebrating Hispanic Cultures – Presentation and “Open Mic”
Sponsored by CCRI’s Department of World Languages and Cultures
🗓️ Thursday, September 26
⏰ 11 am–1 pm
📍 Warwick Campus (Great Hall)

Join faculty from CCRI’s Department of World Languages and Cultures for a presentation on the origins of Hispanic Heritage Month and a celebration of Hispanic cultures, followed by an “Open Mic” for students, faculty, and staff to express and share their own cultural experiences through spoken word, poetry, music, and other art forms.

Pin Tu Bandera (Pin Your Flag)
Organized by the Office of Student Engagement
🗓️ Monday, October 7
⏰ 11 am–2 pm
📍 Lincoln Campus (Cafeteria)

🗓️ Tuesday, October 8
⏰ 11 am–2 pm
📍 Newport County Campus (Atrium)

🗓️ Wednesday, October 9
⏰ 11 am–2 pm
📍 Warwick Campus (Great Hall)

🗓️ Thursday, October 10
⏰ 11 am–2 pm
📍 Providence Campus (Atrium)

Represent with pride! The Office of Student Engagement invites you to create your very own custom CCRI Hispanic and Latinè Heritage Month Pin. A pin can be more than just an accessory, it can be a representation of our identities. Proudly present to your peers, family, and friends your support for the Hispanic and Latinè community through this fun craft.

Hispanic Heritage Month Concert
Sponsored by CCRI’s Performing Arts Department, CCRI Foundation and the Office of OD/DEI🗓️ Thursday, October 10
⏰ 1–3 pm
📍 Warwick Campus (Bobby Hackett Theatre)

Join faculty from CCRI’s Performance Arts Department and CCRI alums for an afternoon of music and theater to celebrate Hispanic artists, musicians and playwrights. Guests include CCRI alums actor, director, and playwright David Valentin; actor and poet Ryan Cabrera; and saxophonist Fernando Marzon and friends.

Cultivating Entrepreneurship with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Sponsored by CCRI’s DEI Council and Career Service
🗓️ Wednesday, October 16
⏰ 11 am–1 pm
📍 Providence Campus (Atrium)

The Cultivating Entrepreneurship event will be an information session and Q&A in collaboration with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 10KSB, and the CCRI Business department. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce provides support to small start-ups in the form of grants, funding, and legal assistance, specifically tailored to the Hispanic/Latino community in the state. This event is geared to students that are interested in starting a business and want tips on how to begin.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Contractor's Summit
Sponsored by CCRI’s DEI Council, Career Services, and Student Affairs
🗓️ Thursday, October 24
⏰ 4–7 pm
📍 Providence Campus (Atrium)

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Contractor Summit will serve as a meet and greet event for Latino-owned businesses and Rhode Island companies looking to expand their vendor list with a diverse business network.

Who inspires you?

We encourage all faculty and staff members to recognize inspiring Hispanic co-workers by filling out our submission form and sharing with us how and why that particular faculty or staff member inspires you on a daily basis. We will share submissions on this page and in future editions of Knight Knowledge. Congratulations to all who've been nominated!

 

WHMtaiwo Jetzabel Mills, Student Development Counselor

"She is very smart, compassionate, funny as heck and really cares about the students.  But most of all, she has asthma like myself and comes to work every day and does a great job despite any challenges she might have from her asthma. She is a hero of mine."
– Arthur Sepe, Student Development Counselor

 

 

 

 

 

WHMtaiwo Yamel Chinchilla, Executive Director, Adult Education

"Over the last 2 years, Yamel has been a huge support system in my life. She deeply cares about the community at CCRI and goes above and beyond to support her students and peers in every possible way. I have known her inside and outside work and am grateful for all she has done. She is an amazing leader who guides with respect and love. Truly, she is the perfect representation of a powerful Latina!"
– Laura Romero, Providence Campus Coordinator, Student Affairs

 

 

 

Yohanna Gomez, EOC Coordinator Counselor

"Yohanna is nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment she arrived at CCRI as a work-study student in 1998, fresh out of Central High School, she has been a beacon of excellence and dedication. Despite having only been in the U.S. for a few years, Yohanna, a proud native of the Dominican Republic, flourished at CCRI and became an active participant in the Access Program. Her initial dream of becoming a teacher evolved over time, but her unwavering passion for education and serving others remained constant.
"After earning her degree at CCRI, she pursued her baccalaureate at RIC, then returned to CCRI as a key member of initially with the RI Educational Talent Search (ETS) and later with the EOC program. Yohanna's impact is unparalleled. Her ability to connect with students and their families is nothing short of magical. It’s no exaggeration to say that students will wait hours just to speak with her because they trust her guidance implicitly.
 
"During the pandemic, Yohanna demonstrated an exceptional level of care, extending herself far beyond normal working hours, taking student calls on nights and weekends. In 2022, she took on the added responsibility of serving students within the Second Chance Pell programs at the RI Department of Corrections. Once again, she embraced this role with open arms, forging deep connections with a population close to her heart.
 
"Yohanna approaches her work with unparalleled humility and compassion, putting her students' needs first. The fact that students return year after year and recommend her to their friends and family is testament to the trust and respect she has earned. Despite all this, Yohanna never seeks recognition for her countless contributions, but her impact speaks volumes.
 
"As a first-generation college graduate and proud CCRI alumna, Yohanna is not only a role model but a true ambassador for CCRI and she inspires me daily. Yohanna represents the heart and soul of the institution and its mission. She is worthy beyond measure of this recognition, not just for what she does but for who she is."
– Stephanie M. Cruz, Educational Opportunity Center

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