Early Bird

Decolonizing Identity and Power

Attend the 16th Annual Latinx Leadership Summit featuring Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Michael Benitez, Ph.D., and musician, producer, activist and scholar Olmeca.

By Lindsey Coulter

March 3, 2020

Auraria Campus institutions will host the 16^th Annual Latinx Leadership Summit on March 11-12. The event theme, Decolonizing Identity and Power, aims to celebrate and nurture Latinx pride, build community among Latinx members of the campus community and inspire conversation, activism and leadership.

The 2020 event will welcome rapper, musician, producer, activist and scholar Olmeca to the campus for a day of class visits followed by a day of workshops, keynote addresses and an educational concert. The summit will culminate with a march through campus in recognition of Cesar Chavez’s birthday, his leadership and his legacy of activism.

This year’s keynote session will include a fireside chat between Olmeca and Michael Benitez, Ph.D., vice president for Diversity and Inclusion.

The event is free and open to all students, faculty and staff on the Auraria Campus.

March 11

Olmeca will visit classes and host an afternoon meet-and-greet session with students from 2-4 p.m. in the Tivoli Multicultural Lounge. The event is open to all tri-institutional students, faculty and staff.

March 12

8:30-9 a.m. – Registration and breakfast

9-9:30 a.m. – Opening ceremony

9:45-10:45 a.m. – Workshops on decolonizing professionalism, combating hate on campus, qualities of leadership and a live art workshop hosted by Denver-based Chicana artist Karma Leigh.

11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Keynote: Olmeca and Michael Benitez

12:30-1:45 p.m. – Lunch and entertainment

2-3:15 p.m. – Olmeca performance

3:15-4 p.m. – March and closing ceremony