RCC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage

Rockland Community College is proud to celebrate the history and culture of the Latinx community from September 19 through October 20. The month-long celebration honors individual traditions while also recognizing what unites us. This year’s theme—Prosperity, Power, and Progress—celebrates the achievements, influence, and advancement of the Hispanic community in the United States, highlighting Hispanic individuals and communities’ contributions to prosperity, their growing power as contributors to society, and the progress they continue to make in various fields.
“In celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Rockland Community College, we embrace the rich tapestry of traditions that make up the Latinx community, while also emphasizing the common bonds that unite us all.
This year’s theme, “Prosperity, Power, and Progress” underscores the remarkable achievements, growing influence, and ongoing progress of the Hispanic community in our nation. We are excited to offer a diverse array of in-person activities throughout this month to honor and recognize the invaluable contributions of Hispanic individuals and communities. Together, we take pride in their journey of prosperity, their rising power as contributors to society, and the continued progress they inspire in various fields,” stated Dr. Lester Rápalo, President of Rockland Community College.
The Hispanic Heritage Month Committee is proud to provide the RCC community with a variety of in-person activities for the month, such as:

Expo Hispana: United by Our Roots
September 19, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: The Quad

United by Our Roots is an exciting and vibrant event designed to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with a bang. This celebratory gathering serves as a dynamic platform to showcase and celebrate the rich and diverse
cultural tapestry of the Hispanic community. With a focus on unity and cultural exchange, Expo Hispana brings together people from various Hispanic countries to share their traditions, cuisine, music, and more!

Latino Literature Showcase
September 28, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: Upper Library
The Latino Literature Showcase is a significant event dedicated to highlighting the unique perspective of the Hispanic community through the distribution of books authored by Hispanics. Each of these books offers a distinct and invaluable viewpoint on the experiences that the Hispanic community encounters. This event serves to understand the cultural richness of the Latino community's literary contributions, emphasizing the valuable role that these authors play in sharing their stories and insights.

Open Mic: Tarde de Cultura
October 5, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: Atrium, Cultural Arts Center
Join us for “Tarde de Cultura: Hispanic Heritage Month Open Mic,” a vibrant celebration of culture and creativity that you won’t want to miss!

Latinx Leads Conference
October 13, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Nelson Mandela Room (Student Union, Room 3214)
This interactive conference will explore the different skills needed for students and leaders to become elements of social change on campus and within the organization. Participants will understand how their interactions and relationships with each other have a large impact on the campus community. The workshops will provide participants with the necessary awareness, content knowledge, and skills to foster student and staff development, and mutual respect when exploring issues of diversity. Participants will engage in activities and discussions that enhance their own understanding of identity and, in turn, help them work more effectively with a diverse population.
These aspects include, but are not limited to:
 Content knowledge regarding issues of discrimination and privilege, as well as the applicable terminology.
 Critical intrapersonal and interpersonal skills (e.g., self-awareness, communication skills, problem- solving skills and empathy) for working effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
Morning sessions will be offered to students and afternoon sessions will be for faculty and staff.

İ Viva Beisbol! – Exploring the Latino Legacy in America’s Pastime
October 20, 11:00 am – 11:50 am
Location: Academic I, Room 1106
America’s National Pastime is also the full-time obsession of Latin America – a region that produced almost 30 percent of the players on recent Major League Baseball Opening Day rosters. This program highlights the passion of the Latin love affair with baseball, acknowledges the multiple barriers Latin players had to overcome to play in the United States and celebrates the amazing impact Latin-American and Latino ballplayers have had on the game over the past 150 years. “Long live Baseball!” focuses on the rich baseball traditions of the major baseball-playing hotbeds of Latin America: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

A display of Hispanic and Latino Culture will also be at the library from September 29 through October 15; an accompanying digital guide can be accessed through the online portal. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For more information, visit https://sunyrockland.edu/media/hispanic- heritage-month/.