Every year, mid-September to mid-October marks Hispanic Heritage Month. Kent State University’s E. Timothy Moore Student Multicultural Center and Center for Student Involvement collaborated to commemorate the month-long celebration and Hispanic culture by hosting “Voices & Rhythms: A Night of Discussion and Dance.”
The event, hosted on Sept. 19 in the Kent Student Center, highlighted the importance of supporting the Latinx community with thoughtful discussion, food, dance and music. Kent State Today attended the event, during which discussions emphasized celebrating diversity and inclusion within the community.
Francisco L. Torres, assistant professor in the College of Education, Health and Human Services and featured speaker, emphasized the importance of fostering diversity and inclusion during this event.
“I think that making sure we are celebrating diverse individuals in our community, including Latinos, Latinas and Latinx individuals, is paramount to their success,” Torres said. “Our voices matter at Kent State and I think this Hispanic Heritage Month celebration is part of that.”
During the celebration, Torres demonstrated and taught the attendees authentic Latinx dance, such as salsa and merengue. The event iterated the essential role that music and dance plays in Hispanic culture.
“I’m really excited about the dancing! I love to dance,” said Quren Jarvis, a sophomore nursing major and attendee.
Alice Fermaintt, program coordinator at the Moore Center, also spoke on how vital music and dance are within the community.
“Dance is literally everything,” Fermaintt said. “There is so much culture and history within it. Our music and dance are a merge of so many cultures and it’s beautiful to be able to represent that.”
Despite having a small Latinx student population on campus, celebrating and supporting the community here at Kent State remains a priority. Samantha Ramirez-Herrera, entrepreneur, civil rights activist and featured guest speaker, discussed the importance of ensuring that the community feels seen and heard throughout Hispanic Heritage Month and all year round.
“We exist all-year round, but it's cool that it’s celebrated for a whole month and that there’s special visibility to it,” Ramirez-Hererra said. “The representation is super important so that the students that are here are felt, seen, supported and celebrated.”
Ramirez-Herrera is also a public speaker, filmmaker and more, known for her storytelling and advocacy work. During the discussion, she shared her powerful experiences of growing up as an undocumented immigrant, a story that resonated deeply with the audience and inspired many in the room.
“For a long time that was something I was really ashamed about,” said Ramirez-Herrera. “Supporting those who are experiencing the same thing starts with making people feel seen and creating a space for people to show up as their full selves.”
Ramirez-Herrera also stressed the importance of active listening, community building and setting goals for oneself within Hispanic culture.
“I was really happy to hear what she had to say,” Jarvis said. “It really aligned with my beliefs on things.”
By promoting dialogue and cultural expression, the Moore Center and Center for Student Involvement ensures that all students feel valued and supported in their pursuit of belonging on campus.