Past Events
Check out all these LFU events over the years, from hosting interactive workshops for the BHSEC community to painting murals and increasing diversity.
The Arts
"Unidos Somos Fuertes" Mural
In 2018, LFU coordinated and collaborated with other clubs to paint the “Unidos Somos Fuertes” (Together We Are Strong) Mural outside of the BHSECQ Library. This mural depicts a globe with hand prints of the students that contributed under it, representing the sense of unity, diversity and strength we hope to convey at BHSECQ.
Philadelphia Pride Flag Mural
In 2018, LFU coordinated and collaborated with SAGA club to paint the Philadelphia Pride Flag mural at the BHSECQ entrance. This mural is crucial, as it promotes the inclusion of all people belonging to the LGBTQ+ community, including BIPOC. The LFU & SAGA Philadelphia Pride Flag Mural symbolizes the accepting and inclusive environment Bard prides itself on.
Guest Speakers
Afro-Latinx Poets: Danyeli Rodriguez Del Orbe
In 2021, the Dominican community organizer, writer, and spoken word performer, Danyeli Rodriguez del Orbe shared her powerful and empowering story as an Afro-Latina followed by her extraordinary spoken word performances to the BHSECQ community. During this event, Danyeli shed light on the nuances of identifying as a Black Latina and being undocumented along with her journey as a self-published writer that resorts to poetry for personal healing, growth, and liberation.
Destigmatizing Mental Health in The Latinx Community with Ariana Lozano
In 2021, Ariana hosted an interactive and informative workshop for LFU members addressing the different factors that foster the mental health stigma in the Latinx community (i.e. immigration, parent trauma, lack of access to mental health services, etc.) Additionally, Ariana discussed the different warning signs of depression & anxiety along with healthy coping mechanisms and ways to overcome the stigma around mental health to receive adequate help.
Discussing The Healthcare System with WethePatients
In 2021, We The Patients and Say Ah! joined forces to discuss the Healthcare system in NYC. Say Ah! is a consumer-led health literacy nonprofit dedicated to making health information and services easy to find, understand and use. We The Patients is a consumer-led digital and grassroots campaign of Community Service Society of New York that empowers patients to advocate for our health care. A campaign to amplify you - the consumer's voice - to share your stories that relate to lack of access, high cost, and quality of your health care.
Guest Speaker: Danyeli Rodriguez Del Orbe
Danyeli Rodriguez del Orbe joined LFU for the second time in 2021 for BHSECQ's Mental Health Day. She shared her powerful and empowering story as an Afro-Latina followed by her extraordinary spoken word performances to the BHSECQ community. During this event, Danyeli shed light on the nuances of identifying as a Black Latina and being undocumented along with her journey as a self-published writer that resorts to poetry for personal healing, growth, and liberation.
Guest Speaker: Carlos Pádron
In 2021, Carlos Pádron joined LFU on BHSECQ's Mental Health Day to discuss how people of color could improve their experiences with psychotherapy. Carlos is a Latinx-licensed psychoanalyst and an advanced candidate at the Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research (IPTAR). He participated in the documentary Psychoanalysis in El Barrio, a film on working psychoanalytically with underprivileged Latinx patients.
Fundraisers
Annual Noche Latina! 2017
LFU’s Annual Noche Latina event provides the BHSECQ community with the opportunity to learn Latinx dances under the instruction and guidance of the professional dancer, Sael Nuñez. During this workshop, Professor Nuñez teaches basic dance steps and techniques for a variety of dances such as bachata, salsa, cumbia, merengue, etc. Every year, a multitude of BHSECQ students and faculty attend the event followed by our sale of Latinx cultural dishes outside of the dance room.
Supporting Victims of the Venezuelan Crisis!
In 2017, LFU sold empanadas, Latinx candy and LFU notebooks to raise money for victims of the Venezuelan crisis. After countless in-school and after school events such as PTC, LFU managed to raise a significant amount of money, which was then sent to the CARE Organization.
Annual Noche Latina! 2022
La Fuerza Unida Raffle 2022
¡Adios 2022! An LFU Year-end Multicultural Event
LFU’s Annual Noche Latina event provides the BHSECQ community with the opportunity to learn about the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world! During this event, participants learned how to create their own Taíno petroglyphs stones, Mexican flowers, and Coquí and Atabey posters; play Dominó, Lotería, and Basta! Every year, a multitude of BHSECQ students and faculty attend the event which includes our sale of Latinx cultural dishes.
In 2022, LFU hosted a raffle in which winners had the opportunity to win traditional items seen in Latinx households and cultures. The prizes included a tostonera, pilón (pestle), spides, tortilla press, comal, a cookbook, and a Latin American and Caribbean Artbook.
LFU's Year-end Multicultural Event provided the BHSECQ community to take part in holiday activities and traditions celebrated throughout Latin America. Participants decorated ornaments, and cookies; made bracelets, and Taíno petroglyph stones; and learned to play different games. BHSECQ students and faculty were also able to enjoy different Latinx cultural dishes.
Increasing Diversity at BHSECQ
Implementation of Latin American History Course in BHSECQ curriculum
In 2020, LFU successfully petitioned for a Latin American history course taught by the Spanish and History BHSECQ professor, Katharina Kempf. This course educates BHSECQ students about the complexity of the Latinx identity and the diversity of Latin American cultures by examining the massive genocide and systemic oppression established during the colonial period. Overall, this course works to debunk harmful myths and stereotypes regarding the Latinx community in order to create an equitable and safe society.
Integration of More Latinx Books for BHSECQ Library
In 2018 & 2019 LFU donated a number of books written by Latinx authors to the BHSECQ library. These books covered a wide range of topics, including Afro-Latinidad, sexuality, family dynamics, indigenous cultures in Latin America, and immigration among other topics to highlight the Latinx identity and experience in Bard literature.
BLM Day of Action
Afro-latinidad in Dance Professions
LFU held a presentation about Afro-Latinidad in Dance Professions during BHSECQ’s Black Lives Matter Day of Action. This presentation touched upon the racial disparities found in the dance industry, which often prevent Afrto-Latinx dancers from reaching their goals of becoming professional dancers and performers.
Afro-latinidad
LFU hosted a presentation on Afro-Latinidad during BHSECQ’s Black Lives Matter Day of Action addressing the lack of awareness around Black Latinx people, and the rejection they encounter by, both, the Latinx community and society as a whole. Through a discussion on the diversity of the Latinx identity and the systemic oppression of Black Latinos, LFU educated the BHSECQ community and called for a more inclusive environment that considers intersectionality when addressing the needs of the community.
Colorism in the Latinx Community
LFU coordinated a presentation on Colorism in the Latinx community during BHSECQ’s Black Lives Matter Day of Action. This presentation covered the historical roots of colorism taking one back to Latin America during the colonial period while also addressing present-day privilege light skin Latinx people hold over Latinos of a darker complexion.
LFU's Presentations
Mental Health Stigmas in the Latinx Community
In honor of BHSECQ’s Mental Health Day, LFU hosted a presentation addressing different mental health stigmas (i.e. social stigmas, self-perceived stigmas, etc) in the Latinx community. Through a discussion on the different factors that contribute to mental health stigmas such as cultural beliefs, religion, and taboos, and warning signs of mental illness, LFU encouraged Latinx individuals in the BHSECQ community to be more self-aware and willing to reach out for help.
Crushing the Patriarchy : Destigmatizing Women's Health & Sexuality
LFU hosted a presentation addressing the stigma around women’s health & sexuality during BHSECQ’s Symposium Day to promote a more inclusive environment for all girls and women. This presentation covered topics, including the objectification of women, sexual harrassment, harmful practices against girls & women such as FGM&C, the stigma around women’s sexual discovery and much more.
Sexism Towards Women of Minority Groups
LFU held a presentation for multiple BHSEC campuses on sexism towards minority women during BHSECQ’s Annual Symposium Day. This presentation explored the racial disparities that impact the treatment minority women recieve under the feminist movement such as the sexualization of Black & Latina women, the harmful stigmas, etc.
Most Common Misconceptions about Latinx People
Is Latinidad a race? Are all Latinxs immigrants? Are Hispanic & Latinx synonymous? Does not speaking Spanish make you less Latinx? The LFU leadership talked about the most common misconceptions about the Latinx community. Members learned about important terminology such as being Spanish, Hispanic Latino/a, & Latinx, immigration, and the extent to which colonization has led to erroneous misconceptions about the Latinx community.
Immigration in the Latinx Community
Is Latinidad a race? Are all Latinxs immigrants? Are Hispanic & Latinx synonymous? Does not speaking Spanish make you less Latinx? The LFU leadership talked about the most common misconceptions about the Latinx community. Members learned about important terminology such as being Spanish, Hispanic Latino/a, & Latinx, immigration, and the extent to which colonization has led to erroneous misconceptions about the Latinx community.
Corruption of Power in Latin America
Is Latinidad a race? Are all Latinxs immigrants? Are Hispanic & Latinx synonymous? Does not speaking Spanish make you less Latinx? The LFU leadership talked about the most common misconceptions about the Latinx community. Members learned about important terminology such as being Spanish, Hispanic Latino/a, & Latinx, immigration, and the extent to which colonization has led to erroneous misconceptions about the Latinx community.
LFU’s Assistance w/ College Process
Trips!
Questbridge Scholarship w/ Finalists
LFU hosts its annual Questbridge Prep Scholarship presentation addressing the Questbridge Prep Scholars program and the Questbridge National College Match. This presentation provided an overview of the application process, the benefits of applying and tips for crafting a strong application from BHSECQ Questbridge finalists!
El Museo Del Barrio
In 2020, LFU explored the beauty of Latinx Art by participating in the guided tour of the Cuban artist, Zilla Sanchez’s “Zilla Sanchez’s Island of Erotic Forms.” The tour ended with an art workshop in which LFU members used cardboard, cloth, and staples to make 3-D looking paintings similar to those of Sanchez’s.
Entertainment
LFU Game Night : Among us & Scribbl.io
LFU’s January Game Night included multiple rounds of Among Us and Scribbl.io with the BHSECQ community as a form to destress and have fun after an intensive and stressful finals week. This Game Night also served as an outlet for students to interact with one another despite the circumstances.
LFU Movie Night : In the Time of Butterflies
LFU’s January Monthly Movie Night explored the struggles and oppression of people in the Dominican Republic under the Trujillo Dictatorship through the film In The Time Of The Butterflies by Julia Alvarez.
LFU Movie Night : Frida
LFU's May Monthly Movie Night explored the life of the revolutionary, inspiring and larger-than-life Mexican artist, Frida Khalo. The film depicts the professional and private life of the surrealist Mexican artist, highlighting her fierce and relentless spirit.
Week of Welcome : Lotería Night
For BHSECQ's Week of Welcome in 2021, LFU hosted Lotería Night! Lotería originated in Mexico and is played all throughout Central and South America. The special thing about Lotería is its colorful images instead of numbers. Participants had a great time listening to music and getting to know LFU and its members.
LFU Game Night : McFarland, USA
LFU's November Movie Night explored the overcoming of poverty and personal turmoil that seven incredible students from McFarland High School showed in their personal lives and starting the cross-country team in McFarland, USA.
Mental Health Day: LFU Game Session
For BHSECQ's Mental Health Day, LFU hosted a relaxing game session. Participants took part in playing Dominó, Lotería, Monopolio, and more!
Symposium Day : In the Heights
Professor Báez and Jayline presented the film In The Heights. In the Heights is an American musical drama film directed by Jon M. Chu from a screenplay by Quiara Alegría Hudes. It is based on the stage musical of the same name by Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film stars Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, and Jimmy Smits.
Symposium Day : Psychoanalysis in El Barrio
Psychoanalysis in El Barrio - Sponsored by LFU, features interviews with ten Latino analysts (whose heritage is from a variety of Latino cultures) as well as students. It uniquely shows some of those communities in Philadelphia, New York City, and Texas and Interviews Latinos in the street on their thoughts about therapy. Additionally, it discusses issues of culture, bias, language, and transference that occur for Latino analysts and their patients. The video challenges psychoanalysts to understand the culture and economic circumstances of Latinos in the United States and to bring psychoanalytically informed therapy to them.
Career Development Workshops
Career Development Workshops #1 : Professionalism
The LFU leadership held a presentation for LFU members on professionalism to prepare them for future internship and employment opportunities. This presentation provided tips on professional communication both in-person and virtually, and covered different examples on how to effectively carry out a professional conference, interview, and craft professional emails and text messages.
Career Development Workshops #3 : Professionalism
The LFU leadership held a presentation for LFU members on networking to discuss its importance followed by tips and strategies on how to network both in-person and virtually to advance your career and future opportunities!
Career Development Workshops #2 : Resume
The LFU leadership held a workshop for LFU members on resume writing - a skill that is essential in professional settings. This workshop provided an overview of the different sections on a resume followed by tips on wording to create a strong and professional resume. In the end, members were expected to draft their own resumes, and they received personalized feedback.
Career Development Workshops #4 : Resume and Professionalism
The LFU leadership held a presentation for LFU members to review how to write a resume and to review professional communication online and in-person, including business dining etiquette and dressing etiquette.
Holidays
Día De Los Muertos 2021
For LFU's Día de los Muertos event in 2021, participants colored calaveras, made colorful paper flowers, and made papel picado! The event ended with participants putting up a beautiful ofrenda with beloved Latinx figures.
Día De Los Muertos 2022
For LFU's Día de los Muertos event in 2022, participants decorated calavera cookies, colored calaveras, made colorful paper flowers, and got their faces painted! They were also able to snack on bags of popcorn and homemade agua de Jamaica. The event ended with participants putting up a beautiful ofrenda with beloved Latinx figures.