The Latinx Symposium at DU, a cherished event among the Latine community that was put on a temporary pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, made its return to campus this past Thursday. 

The University of Denver Latinx Alumni Affinity Network (DULAA) planned one of their most popular, if not their most popular event, with the collaboration of organizations across the mile-high city. 

The Colorado Hispanic Bar Association (CHBA) and the Colorado Latino Leadership Research and Advocacy Organization (CLLARO) joined DULAA’s efforts to bring back the symposium at DU. On-campus partners included DU’s Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) and DU’s Sturm College of Law. 

All five organizations joined together to further the conversation on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that have long impacted and continue to affect minority populations, specifically focusing on the Latine community. The symposium featured a panel of Latine advocates who took center stage to further educate, inform and spread awareness about DEI. With the Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action decision this past summer, DEI is in a state of uncertainty. Panelists were representatives of DULAA, CHBA and CLLARO.

Neva Martinez, the co-chair of DULAA, was the event’s orchestrator. The symposium was one of her most treasured memories during her time at DU and as an alum. Martinez emphasized the importance of hosting these events, especially at predominantly white institutions. It provides the space for the community to unite and learn as one. 

But as the Latinx Symposium is intended to elevate and empower, it is also a place to remember and honor. This summer DULAA member and DU Sturm College of Law graduate, Ellen Trujillo passed away. The symposium was a testament to her legacy. 

This year’s panelists included DU faculty member, Professor Tom Romero, CHBA President Amber Gonzalez and Jillian Martinez, a DU alum. The panel emphasized the importance and power that comes with discussing these heavy topics and the fact that these conversations extend beyond the parameters of our professional lives. These are topics that affect communities in every way. 

The panel concluded with closing remarks from storyteller and Latine advocate, Vicente Arenas. Arenas’ words resonated with the audience as he touched on topics that the Latine community and other minority groups have encountered all their lives. He honed in on the normalized trauma that people of color endure, including but not limited to shootings, poverty and segregation, but he also highlighted that change can be made within communities and families. Breaking the cycle and becoming the first in one’s family to graduate from high school, pursue higher education and have a career are ways that communities are able to move forward. 

“We need to be agents of change within our own communities…. In our homes and offices we can make change happen.… We have to continue the fight. We must be like lucha libres and fight for change in communities, our communities of people of color,” Arenas said.