Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of Hispanic culture that takes place each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

Because many people are unaware of the month, Kei Mamiya, the program coordinator at the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, said he is helping host multiple events around campus to give the month more recognition.

One of the main events for the month is a photo gallery called “Aqúi Estamos, Here We Are,” by José Galvez.

“The photo gallery is opened currently, and we’re coordinating with the Latino Student Association and the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center,” said Mamiya.

Galvez’ photographs capture Latino culture in America, using black and white perspectives to add strength and depth to the collection.

This gallery will continue until the Sept. 29 in the Union Art Gallery.

There are also several events going on around campus today. 

The Latino Student Association will host a welcome lunch for Galvez from 12 to 1 p.m. in Suite 220 of the Colvard Union, which will provide first come, first serve lunch to the students.

There will also be a photo gallery reception with Galvez from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Union Art Gallery.

Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, the Latino Student Association and Center for Student Activities will host this event.

A keynote address will take place in the Foster Ballroom from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Sept. 19. Galvez will speak to students, telling the audience more about his art.

The next event the Latino Student Association will host this month is Salsa in the Streets, which will be at Lee Hall Plaza in front of Lee Hall on the Drill Field. This event provides free food and an introductory salsa lesson from 7 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 21.

Los Tres Amigos will provide live music throughout the event.

The International Student Advisory Board’s Coffee, Culture and Conversation is a monthly event, will take place on Sept. 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. They will host this month’s event in association with the Latino Student Association. The theme of the event will be “Immigration and Rights.”

This will allow attendees to explore different cultures, specifically focusing on immigration and rights while drinking free Starbucks’ coffee.

There is also a discussion on Sept. 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This event is called “Ask a Latino” and will take place in Fowlkes Auditorium in the Colvard Student Union.

The panel of will consist of members of the Latino Student Association who are willing to answer questions about their experiences as Latinos.

A fundraiser for the Latino Student Association, Taco Tuesday, will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Drill Field on Oct. 3.  

The last event the Latino Student Association and Holmes Cultural Diversity Center are bringing to campus is the Hispanic Heritage Month Closing Ceremony.

The ceremony will be in the Dawg House on Oct. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Although this is the second year the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center and the Latino Student Association hosted a full slate of events in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Mamiya said the events have become a major focus for the organization.

“Everyone involved is working to make it a bigger deal,” Mamiya said. “Because the Latino community is currently the biggest minority group in the United States, we’re trying to acknowledge them. We want to provide opportunities for students to learn about different cultures.”