While much of campus buzzed with excitement for Homecoming Weekend on Friday, October 16th, students in Cornell’s Latino community were equally excited for another reason: the Latina/o Studies Program’s (LSP) 33rd annual Unity Dinner. Over 160 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members gathered in the Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room for an evening dedicated to celebrating Latino heritage and community at Cornell.
Established to honor Latino Heritage Month, the Latina/o Studies Program has hosted its annual Unity Dinner since 1992, and over the decades the event has grown larger and more festive, becoming a cherished tradition for many students within the Latino community at Cornell. This year’s Unity Dinner was supported in part by the Latinx Student Empowerment Office, Asociación de Sudamericanos Unidos (ASaU), Latino Living Center, La Asociación Latina, and the Cornell Latino Alumni Association. Building on this legacy, a student planning committee selected this year’s theme last spring: “Los raices eue nos unen” (“The Roots that Unite Us”), a reflection on the histories and connections that bring Latinos together at Cornell.
The emphasis on connection felt especially meaningful amid a turbulent fall semester at Cornell. For LSP student intern, Miguel Mathis ‘28, the Unity Dinner offered a chance to “come together as a community to celebrate our cultural preservation and perseverance at Cornell.” Throughout the evening, attendees found joy in shared traditions and dances; student organizations Sabor Latino, Salsa Pa’lante, and Tango at Cornell brought smiles and energy and encouraged everyone to join the dance floor at the end of the night. Meanwhile, master of ceremonies Angel Escamilla ‘27, an LSP student intern, and Angelina Mejia ‘28, co-president of La Asociación Latina, kept the energy up as they guided the evening with enthusiasm.
However, the night’s highlight was the keynote address by Ithaca Community leader, Yen Ospina, president of the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County. A self-taught Colombian-American artist, Ospina is known for their community-focused curation through the nomadic Orozco Gallery. Ospina’s address emphasized the importance of Latino students showing up for one another and remaining proud of their cultural heritage.
For many across campus, the evening marked the kickoff to Homecoming celebrations throughout the weekend. However, for those in attendance at the Unity Dinner, the night reminded them that, despite the challenges of college life, they are not alone, and that an entire community stands behind them as they navigate challenges. Through this, the annual Unity Dinner becomes more than a free meal; it becomes a space where Latino heritage is openly celebrated, and community can be rooted.
Special thanks to the Latino Unity Dinner Committee and LSP student interns who made this event possible, as well as photographers Makeda-Elizabethe Cabey ‘27 and Joe Reyes ‘27, who captured moments throughout the evening. View photos from this year's Unity Dinner here.
