Laney College students, faculty and staff are celebrating Latino heritage through literature, education, art, conversation and community events.
The national observance from September 15 through October 15 is commonly known as Hispanic Heritage Month. Within this story, Laney is also using the broader term Latino Heritage in recognition that not everyone in our community identifies with the word “Hispanic.”
“We are intentional in saying Latino Heritage, since not everyone in our community identifies with the word ‘Hispanic,’” said Eve Delfín, Director of Gateway to College.
Laney Library Book Display & Online Collection
From September 15 through October 15, the Laney Library is featuring a special book display celebrating Hispanic and Latino heritage, history, culture and contributions.
Students and employees can visit the library to explore the featured titles or use the library’s online guide to discover additional books, articles, films and educational resources.
Explore the Hispanic Heritage Month LibGuide →
Gateway Students Learn, Create & Build Community
Gateway to College students are celebrating throughout the fall with weekly lessons and hands-on activities exploring the history, diversity and contributions of Latino communities.
Students have begun creating flowers and other heritage-inspired artwork that will become part of a community altar built little by little each week. Lessons include the history of Mesoamerica and the diversity within the Latino community.
Future lessons may explore Oakland’s contributions to the Chicano Movement, Black and Brown unity in Oakland, and the contributions of Latinos throughout Oakland and the United States.
The activities will culminate in a Día de los Muertos celebration featuring pan de muerto, food, music and the completed student altar.
More Latino Heritage Activities at Laney
Several additional activities are being developed across campus. This story will be updated as dates, locations and other details are confirmed.
Speech, Leadership & Forensics Debate Club Event
Dr. Mariella Miranda Thaning, Communications Instructor, is leading an event with the Speech, Leadership and Forensics Debate Club on Monday, October 5, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The students will honor Hispanic Heritage Month while recruiting new club members through short debates and audience participation. Debate topics will include Immigration and Customs Enforcement, artificial intelligence and the 50/50 approach to dating. Audience members will be invited to join the debates and experience the power of presenting and defending a position.
“We want to bring visibility to and celebrate the wonderful presence of our Latine students,” Thaning said. “The students also want to highlight the art of debate and the importance of critical thinking, listening to different perspectives and engaging thoughtfully with ideas that may differ from our own.”
Everyone is welcome, regardless of their experience with debate or the position they may take on an issue.
Members of the Latinx Student Club, Puente and other campus groups are also being invited to participate.
Latinx Student Club Film Screening & Discussion
The Latinx Student Club is planning a screening of the well-known film "Stand and Deliver" followed by a facilitated discussion on Wednesday, October 14th from 4-6 PM. The 1988 film tells the dramatic story of a real-life Mathematics instructor from East LA who employs an unconventional approach to inspire underprivileged Latino students in his advanced calculus class.
Danitza Lopez, English for Speakers of Other Languages Instructor and Latinx Student Club Faculty Advisor, is working with the club as members select a documentary and develop the event. The discussion will give students an opportunity to explore the film’s major themes and connect them to the experiences of Latino communities.
Puente Support & Collaboration
The Puente Program is working with student leaders and campus partners to identify resources that may help cover the costs of Latino Heritage events and activities. These efforts are also creating opportunities for Puente, the Latinx Student Club and other members of the Laney community to collaborate.
Celebrate Latino Heritage Around Oakland
Laney’s celebration extends beyond campus. Students and employees can also experience Latino art, music, dance, history and traditions throughout Oakland.
La Catrina de Oakland
A monumental 34-foot La Catrina handcrafted by artisans in Mexico City is now standing outside the Fruitvale BART Station.
With her arms extended over Fruitvale, the sculpture represents welcome, belonging, pride and the journeys of generations who carried their cultures and traditions with them.
La Catrina can be viewed 24 hours a day throughout October, leading up to Oakland’s Día de los Muertos Festival on November 1.
Learn more about La Catrina de Oakland →
Latinx Heritage Celebrations at Children’s Fairyland
Children’s Fairyland will continue its family-friendly Latinx Heritage Celebrations on October 3–4 and October 10–11.
Activities include traditional games, themed arts and crafts, food-centered experiences and live cultural performances. The schedule includes musical storytelling, Ballet Folklórico and Afro-Peruvian music and dance.
View the complete Fairyland schedule →
Oakland Public Library Events
Oakland Public Library is offering free activities throughout October, including heritage-themed crafts, teen programs, repujado metal-art workshops, Talavera tile painting and linocut block printing.
Explore Oakland Public Library’s heritage events →
Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno
Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno will present a theatrical Día de los Muertos celebration on Sunday, October 11, at 2 p.m. at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts.
The performance uses traditional Mexican folkloric dance, music, elaborate costumes and regional traditions to honor ancestors and celebrate life and death from a Mexican cultural perspective.
View performance and ticket information →
Oakland Día de los Muertos Festival
The 31st Annual Oakland Día de los Muertos Festival will take place Sunday, November 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fruitvale Village.
The free outdoor celebration brings together live music, family activities, traditional Latin American artisans, food and community-created altar installations honoring loved ones who have passed.
This year’s theme, “La Lucha Continúa: Aquí Estamos y No Nos Vamos,” recognizes the continuing work for dignity, belonging and the right of families to remain rooted in their communities.
Learn more about the Oakland Día de los Muertos Festival →
Celebrating Culture & Community
Together, these campus activities and Oakland events offer opportunities to learn about Latino history, recognize the contributions of Latino communities and celebrate through art, literature, music, dance, food and shared traditions.
“As someone who grew up in the Bay Area, Latinx Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the culture, history, resilience and contributions of the Latino and Latinx communities that have helped shape our region,” said Doris Hankins, Associate Dean of Student Activities, Leadership and Engagement at Merritt and Laney colleges.
“It’s important that our students see their cultures, families and experiences reflected and celebrated on our campuses,” Hankins added. “At Peralta, our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. I’m honored to work at an institution where we are encouraged to celebrate our students, families and communities while continuing to create spaces where everyone feels seen, valued and empowered.”
Additional Laney events and details will be added as they are confirmed. Students and employees are encouraged to check back for updates and take part in the celebrations on campus and throughout Oakland.