The Belmont community spent September and October celebrating Hispanic culture
Belmont celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month throughout September and October under the theme “Unidos Somos Más Fuertes,” or “United We Are Stronger,” bringing a spirit of collaboration and appreciation of Hispanic culture.
Hispanic Literature and Art
The Lila D. Bunch Library displayed a selection of Hispanic books and authors throughout the month, while a book club met to read and discuss “Brown Church” by Robert Chao Romero. Romero’s book engages with the history and theology of Hispanic Christian identity. Students used these spaces to think critically about works on display and unite those themes with their own experiences.
Celebrations went beyond Belmont and into the heart of Nashville. Students registered for a free trip to the Frist Art Museum to explore its temporary exhibit “¡Printing the Revolution! The Rise and Impact of Chicano Graphics,” which examined how graphic art and design continues to influence Mexican American identity. Featuring more than 100 pieces of art covering decades of Mexican and Chicago design, the exhibit gives a voice to a political and cultural movement that remains vital to the art of printmaking around the world.
Hispanic Heritage in Nashville
Throughout September, students learned how cultural identity impacts individuals in Nashville with events featuring speakers who work in local health care, business, the arts and voting.
Overlapping Diversity Week programming, a panel moderated by professor of entrepreneurship and endowed chair for entrepreneurship Dr. José González featuring local Hispanic-owned businesses explored how Hispanic heritage influences the economy. Panelists included Nativo owner Camilo Patino and Nuestro Financial founder Diego Eguiarte.
Although they operate in two different sectors, both agreed on the importance of believing in your business enough to be willing to take risks. “It makes me proud to provide an option to my community,” said Eguiarte. “People see what we do as a blessing, and I take the compliment proudly.”
Nativo owner Camilo Patino and Nuestro Financial founder Diego Eguiarte speak on Hispanic-owned business panel.
Owner of Nueve Latino restaurant Nativo Camilo Patino speaks with a student.
Mandy Rogers Horton at print workshop.
Cesar Bautisa from the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition speaks with students about the power of voting.
Celebration of Unity
Hispanic Heritage Month continued into October with events highlighting the rich past and vibrant future of Hispanic Americans. Campus was invited to attend a celebration at the Bell Tower Patio with food trucks, dancing and a mariachi band.
Students from the O’More College of Architecture and Design also hosted an exhibition featuring garments inspired by various cultures across Mexico. Through sketching designs based off these inspirations and creating pieces of their own, these students showed how fabrics and silhouettes are as significant to a culture as language and business.
Read more stories celebrating Hope, Unity and Belonging at Belmont