LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It's the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

What You Need To Know

  • National Hispanic Heritage Month began Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15 

  • About 50 University of Louisville students recently attended the "Costuras y Comida" event at the Cultural and Equity Center

  • The center's director said these types of events are important and give students chances to connect with one another 

  • Students enjoyed sewing activities and food such as empanadas and maduros 

Habacuc Matt Gomez-Leon, 20, a junior biology major at the University of Louisville who plans to attend veterinary school, said the occasion is important to him. He was born and raised in Louisville, but his family emigrated from Oaxaca, Mexico, before he was born. 

“Being in the United States, you feel kind of isolated sometimes or just separated from your culture, so being here ... and being able to celebrate is always a great thing to have,” Gomez-Leon said.

At a recent "Costuras y Comida" event at the University of Louisville’s Cultural and Equity Center, Gomez-Leon was teaching a friend about "costuras," which means "sewing" or "embroidery" in Spanish. They were working on hand-sewing a heart. 

"Comida" means food in Spanish, and there were also lots of empanadas, maduros and other things to eat. About 50 UofL students attended. 

Vanessa Magallanes, another student who participated, said she enjoyed the food and the experience.

"It's nice because I find other people and friends who have the same experiences as me, and it's just comforting, I guess," Magallanes said. 

Monica Negron, UofL Cultural Center director for Hispanic, LatinX and Indigenous Initiatives, said Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to educate others about culture, history and progress. 

“I think within what we do in the cultural center, we obviously celebrate our culture the entire year, not just between Sept. 15 (and) Oct. 15," Negron said. 

Events like this are important and matter, Negron added.

“I think that 'why' piece is so cool, just knowing that our students can find a home away from home and knowing that (they) can feel a sense of belonging and feel they can kind of be who they are," Negron said. "I think all of our events kind of do that.”

Learn more about UofL's Cultural and Equity Center on the school's website. 

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