By Indira Zaldivar & Edward Saenz
The University of Houston-Downtown’s Center for Latino Studies is hosting its first-ever Latinx Identity Symposium this Saturday, inviting the community to engage in discussions about Latino identity in fields such as history, education, and media.
The event will bring together student researchers, guest speakers from across Texas, and Hispanic-led media, including Que Onda Magazine. Co-organizer Dr. Anthony Ramirez, assistant director at UHD’s Center for Latino Studies, shared insight into the symposium’s purpose and what attendees can expect.
A Gathering of Houston’s Latinx Community
Dr. Ramirez described the symposium as “a one-day conference” that aims to unite all University of Houston system campuses, including UH Main, UH Central, and UH Clear Lake, along with various community partners.
“We wanted to be able to bring all these guests in one space together,” Ramirez said. “We were trying to think, how can we do that in a cool way that our community can enjoy?”
Although this is the symposium’s inaugural year, it has been nearly a year in the making.
“Even though this is small for us, this is still a very large test,” Ramirez explained. “We’ve been working on it for almost a year.”
Creating Conversations and Connections
A key goal of the symposium is fostering dialogue about Latinx identity and representation.
“I hope that people can take away a greater sense of pride within their own identity,” Ramirez said. He emphasized that the event will also highlight resources available to Houston’s Latinx community.
Beyond discussions, the symposium presents an opportunity for students to network with professionals in their fields. “Who knows—for students, this could be a networking opportunity,” Ramirez added. “They can meet somebody that they’re like, ‘Oh, I want to work with them down the line or collaborate or see if I can intern for them.’”
Looking to the Future
Ramirez and his team hope to establish the symposium as an annual tradition. “This is just kind of a small little thing that we’re doing that hopefully can become an annual symposium,” he shared. “Not just here at UHD, but at these different campuses that we’re collaborating with as well.”
The Latinx Identity Symposium is free and open to the public, with breakfast and lunch provided. To learn more, follow @UHDLatinoStudies on Instagram or visit the UHD Center for Latino Studies Facebook page and website.
Keep up with more community events with us on Que Onda Magazine.