Celebrate Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month at the University of Pittsburgh!
From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, enjoy exciting events like film screenings, salsa lessons, cultural festivals, and insightful workshops. Join us to honor the vibrant contributions of Latinx communities with food, music, and engaging discussions.
Don’t miss your chance to connect and celebrate Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month at Pitt!
Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM) is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15 to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Americans with ancestry from over 20 Latin American countries.
Approximately 60 million people in the U.S. trace their roots to these regions, representing about 18 percent of the population. The month, recognized by the U.S. government since 1968, begins on September 15, marking the independence days of several Latin American countries. The University of Pittsburgh began its campus-wide LHHM celebration in 2018, with a focus on inclusivity and cross-institutional events.
Hispanic Americans have been influential in every part of this nation's history, from arts to politics to business and innovation to the military.
Selected Events
Volleyball International Night
7 p.m. Sept. 20
Fitzgerald Field House
Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month Film Screening
6:30 to 9 p.m. Sept. 25
Latin American Cultural Center
4338 Bigelow Blvd.
Join the David C. Frederick Honors College in celebrating Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month with a special screening of the 2023 dramedy “Problemista,” directed by SNL writer Julio Torres. Hosted at the Latin American Cultural Center, this event will be an exciting opportunity to engage with the center’s exhibits while enjoying authentic Mexican cuisine from La Palapa. Don't miss this chance to see what Indiewire has described as a “Wildly inventive, biting, and outright funny directorial debut.”
Conversation with Ingrid Rojas Contreras and Isabella Hammad
6 p.m. Sept. 30
University of Pittsburgh
TBA
Join us for an evening of reading and conversation with two award-winning writers: Ingrid Rojas Contreras, author of the novel, “Fruit of the Drunken Tree” and memoir “The Man Who Could Move Clouds,” which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize; and Isabella Hammad, author of two critically acclaimed novels, “Enter Ghost” and “The Parisian,” which won the 2019 Palestine Book Award. Her forthcoming collection of Essays, “Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative,” will be published on Sept. 24. This event is open to the public.
Center for Health Equity Journal Club
1 to 2 p.m. Oct 4.
Center for Health Equity
Sabores Latinos Festival
6:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 4
Rivers Club
301 Grant St.
Suite 411
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Pitt Office for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion and the Pitt Alumni Association present an evening celebration of Latin culture, featuring salsa lessons, a vendor market, performances, a Latin DJ, live band, cash bar, and hors d'oeuvres. Open to Pitt faculty, staff, and alumni.
Alebrijes Workshop
12:30 to 2 p.m. Oct. 8
Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Room 4130
Join us in celebrating Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month as we explore the vibrant cultures of the Americas. This workshop welcomes anyone interested in discovering Alebrijes from Mexico. As we explore into these colorful creations, we’ll also share personal stories and explore what it means to be Latinx/Hispanic in the USA, all in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies in collaboration with the Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM).
Cartoneras Workshop for staff, faculty and students
3:30 p.m. Oct. 10
In C4C: The Workshop (University Store on Fifth)
Pittsburgh and University Partner Events
Film Screening: Su voz está dentro / Dos Fridas
6 p.m. Sept. 29
Latin American Cultural Center
4338 Bigelow Blvd.
“Su voz está dentro” documents how, after a social media casting call, a group of women survivors of domestic abuse shared their stories through WhatsApp voice messages in an act of trust and collective healing. “Dos Fridas” is inspired by real life events; Judith Ferreto spends her final days recalling her years in Frida Kahlo’s company, when Judith was the Mexican painter’s personal nurse. This film brings together popular art, votive offerings, images of death, surrealism and the artists and intellectuals of Post-revolutionary Mexico through magical realism.
Carnegie Mellon University's Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance LHHM Celebration
12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 3
Cohon University Center
5020 Forbes Ave.
Rangos Ballroom #2
The LFSA’s hallmark annual event returns with more delicious food, entertainment and a chance to catch up with our growing membership and broader CMU community!
Vamos a Peru: Latino Community Center Fundraiser
7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 12
Pittsburgh Opera
2425 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
“Vamos a….” is the Latino Community Center's annual fundraising event. Following the success of last year's “Vamos a….Guatemala” event, this year LCC are thrilled to present “Vamos a… Peru!”
Ofrenda Happy Hour
6 p.m. Oct. 24
Greer Cabaret Theater
Presented by Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to kick off Dia de los Muertos. Join PMAHC & PCT for a special Happy Hour featuring an interactive Ofrenda to honor your loved ones, Mexican-inspired hors d'oeuvres, order a specialty cocktail from the cash bar as we celebrate Day of the Dead together!
History of LHHM
Since 1968, LHHM has been recognized by the federal government and celebrated across the United States. The start of the month, Sept.15, is significant, as several Latin American countries celebrate their independence from Spain on this day, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence during the month on Sept. 16 and 18 respectively.
A University-wide committee, chaired by Dr. Gina Garcia and supported by the Pitt Office for Equity, Diversity, launched the first university-wide HHM in fall 2018. Entering our fifth year, we have added the term, “Latinx” to the name of our monthly celebration as a way to be more inclusive. In fall 2021, we launched a series of cross-institutional events as part of Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM).
The committee is chaired by Dr. Belkys Torres, associate vice provost for inclusive excellence in education.