Elgin Community College’s Latinx Heritage Month (LHM) will be held virtually this year, with events built around the 2020 theme “¡Ya es el Tiempo!” (Now is the time). The celebration begins with the first-ever virtual Latinx Heritage Month Kick-Off Celebration on Tuesday, September 15, at 2 pm Jorge DeSantiago, Emmy Award-winning television news reporter and anchor from NBC Telemundo Chicago, is the keynote speaker. Participating in the virtual keynote presentation is free, but the event is limited to 300 participants.
This year, in lieu of proceeds received to support programming from event tickets for the kick-off event, the LHM Committee encourages the community to support a fundraising initiative for the ECC Foundation’s Student Success Fund (SSF). The SSF provides financial relief to all students, including Undocumented/DACA students, who are at risk of homelessness, food insecurities, unemployment, and other important matters that impact students’ success due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the kick-off, the LHM Committee planned events to help provide useful resources for students and the community. “While honoring our history, we also take the opportunity to build our future,” said the committee. “We want to empower our students to develop their personal and professional leadership skills, giving them the confidence to unite communities together and create space to facilitate the tough conversations our country needs to have at this time. We all play a significant part in building a better world.” All events are free and open to the public.
Other virtual events during Latinx Heritage Month include the following:
Latinx Conexión: College Hacks for Excellence Virtual Fair
Wednesday, September 16
11 am to 1 pm
Students can connect with transfer universities and learn how to tap into the ECC resources designed to help students succeed. We will highlight college tips and strategies to put you ahead in your academic and professional journey. Guest speaker Stephanie A. Garces-Donat, an experienced bilingual attorney who prides herself in fighting for her clients, will talk about her experience as a Latina overcoming challenges, navigating college and law school, and starting her own firm.
iYa es el Tiempo! Students Coming Together to Create Change
Friday, September 25
Join us for a powerful virtual event about achieving social, political, and institutional change. Spoken-word artist and activist Denise Frohman will provide an artistic interpretation of activism, and two Elgin Council members, Tish Powell and Baldemar Lopez, will join her in speaking about their journey and role in making a change in the community. This event was possible through collaboration between the College of DuPage, College of Lake County, Elgin Community College, Harper College, McHenry County College, and Waubonsee Community College.
Latinxs and COVID-19: Stories of the Front Lines
This event is being rescheduled - an updated date will be posted soon.
Dr. Marina Del Rios, Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago, will explain the racial disparities of the COVID-19 pandemic and share how Latinxs and other groups can remain healthy. Students and alumni from Elgin Community College will share their experiences as front-line and essential workers and how the pandemic has affected them personally. This event is a collaboration between Elgin Community College, Compañeros en Salud/Partners in Health, NFP, and the Kane County Health Department.
Teatro Que Importa
Thursday, October 1
Join us for a virtually staged reading of Shelter by Marissa Chibas, a powerful story of those who cross borders and those who try to find a way to make their dreams come true, followed by a discussion with the cast. The ECC Theatre Department produces this presentation.
Decorando Nuestra Historia: Un Concurso
Join us in celebrating and exploring the Latinx culture through a design/decorating contest! Get creative and participate by decorating a wall/door in honor of a historic Latinx figure, tradition, or holiday celebrated by the Latinx community.
Cumbia! Salsa! Bachata! It's time to go viral and let the music guide your hips! Each week in September, we will celebrate some of the great Latinx dances and take the #BailandoConECC challenge on Instagram! Students who wish to participate in the challenge should use the hashtag #BailandoConECC on Instagram to enter to win a $25 e-gift card each week!
ECC’s Latinx Heritage Month celebration is sponsored by the Latinx Heritage Month Committee, Office of Student Life, Performing Arts Center, and the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS). The college is proud to be designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
For more information, call the Office of Student Life at 847-214-7370 or visit elgin.edu/lhm.