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Let the celebrations begin!

Cal State San Bernardino will celebrate the richness of its diverse university community when it hosts a series of events and activities for Hispanic Heritage Month, which officially began on Sept. 15 and will run through Oct. 15, and focuses on the theme Somos CSUSB/We Are CSUSB.

The objective of Hispanic Heritage Month is to provide the CSUSB community with the chance to explore and become immersed in Hispanic and Latinx culture via different points of reference.

Some of the highlights include:

  • The Somos CSUSB celebration, 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, on the Santos Manuel Student Union North patio. Featuring pupusas from a local food truck, cool treats from La Michoacana ice cream, music and community building.
  • “A Place at the Nayarit: How a Mexican Restaurant Nourished a Community,” a book talk with Natalia Molina, noon-1:15 p.m., Sept. 25, John M. Pfau Library, PL-4005. Molina is the Distinguished Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity and Dean’s Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. She discusses her most recent award-winning book, “A Place at the Nayarit: How a Mexican Restaurant Nourished a Community,” which explores how marginalized peoples created spaces of belonging in Los Angeles.
  • The Latino Education and Advocacy Days (LEAD) Summit XIII, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 27, Santos Manuel Student Union South. The theme of this year’s summit is “El Plan de San Bernardino: Transnationalism, Academic Mobility, and the Reframing of Education.” This annual event will feature panel discussions on topics related to its theme, and include a morning keynote presentation by actor and activist Pepe Serna, this year’s Padrino de Honor/Honorary Chair.
  • “Poetic Rhythms of Latinx Identities, with Lucas Rivera,” noon-2 p.m. Oct. 8, ground floor patio of the Center for Global Innovation building. Led by multidisciplinary artist, writer, educator, producer, place maker Lucas Rivera, the two-part program will include a full band accompaniment and take the audience on a profound odyssey, weaving narrative nonfiction and poetry to chronicle the challenges faced by those who have endured the gripping torment of imposter syndrome, the pervasive effects of systemic racism, and a disconnection from their cultural identity. The program will also include a Q&A about Rivera's work as an Afro-Latinx multidisciplinary artist.
  • “¡Buenas! It’s Loteria Time!” noon-1 p.m. Oct. 8, Rancho Mirage Student Center, CSUSB Palm Desert Campus. Join in to play and learn about the history of the game loteria, and how it made its way onto many tables today! 

Hispanic Heritage Week was established by legislation sponsored by Rep. Edward R. Roybal (D-Los Angeles) and signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. The commemorative week was expanded by legislation sponsored by then-U.S. Rep. Esteban Edward Torres (D-Pico Rivera) and implemented by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period (Sept. 15-Oct. 15). The bill died in committee, but in 1988, U.S. Sen. Paul Simon of Illinois re-submitted an amended version, which was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988.

Sept. 15 of every year was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, who all declared independence in 1821. In addition, Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16, Sept. 18 and Sept. 21, respectively.

For more information and for updates, visit the CSUSB Hispanic Heritage Month website. Also follow the CSUSB Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Instagram, @CSUSB_JEDI. 

See the proclamation by President Joe Biden for National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2024.