Established in 2018, this biannual Latinx Speaker tradition has become an important part of the Latinx Cultural Center at Utah State University. Students have the opportunity to listen to outstanding professors, authors, artists, and other professionals who have made significant contributions to the education and acceptance of the Latinx Culture. Please join us each semester for another fabulous lecture!
This Semester's Speaker
Yudi Lewis
Director of Hispanic-Serving Institution Initiatives
Yudi Lewis has recently been appointed as the director of the Office of Hispanic-Serving Institution Initiatives at Weber State University. With a solid track record of Latino recruitment and retention, Lewis aims to position Hispanic and Latino students strategically, helping them transition from high school to college, and subsequently into their desired fields. This, in turn, will help Utah's economy and community. The aim of this new initiative is to increase the percentage of Hispanic and Latino students at WSU to 15% by fall 2025, and to achieve Hispanic-Serving Institution status, which will enable WSU to receive more federal grants, funding, and resources.
Past Speakers
Black Latina Movement
September 20th-21st
In collaboration with the Inclusion Center, the Latinx Cultural Center invited the Black Latina Movement, a grassroots theater and film production company based in New York City, to provide a workshop and play for students. The goal of the company is to enrich the film industry with works centered around promoting diversity and Inclusion. During their workshop, the group presented on Black Latinidad in the U.S. They also performed a play titled, "Black Latina", which focused on the story of being a Black Latina in the US and the struggle to identify with both cultures.
To learn more, visit Black Latina Movement's website.
Ross Romero | Attorney
March 23, 2022
Ross Romero is a Utah attorney who served in the Utah House of Representatives and Senate for a combined eight years. He currently works in Law/Government Realtions and is the CEO of Inclusion Strategies, a diversity and inclusion consulting firm. Ross Romero presented on his experiences growing up in Utah and becoming a lawyer, legislator, and businessman. He also touched on how his service in the community helped him cultivate important networks, allowing for much of his success in the political and business spheres.
To learn more, visit Ross Romero's website.
Senator Escamilla | State of Utah
October 5, 2021
Senator Escamilla became the first Latina elected in the Utah State Senate and first immigrant elected in the Utah State Legislature, representing Senate Discrict 1. During her presentation she spoke about her experience as a Latina in the political sphere.
To learn more, visit Senator Escamilla's website.
Dr. Frederick Luis Aldama | Author
October 23, 2019
Dr. Frederick Luis Aldama and Carlos Kelly traveled to Utah State University to give presentations of their respective books as part of the James Porras Lecture Series. In the early afternoon, Carlos Kelly held a poetry workshop and reading from his book of poems Wounds Fragments Derelict in the USU Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art (NEHMA).
To learn more, visit Frederick Luis Aldama website.
Carlos Kelly | Author
October 23, 2019
Dr. Frederick Luis Aldama and Carlos Kelly traveled to Utah State University to give presentations of their respective books as part of the James Porras Lecture Series. In the early afternoon, Carlos Kelly held a poetry workshop and reading from his book of poems Wounds Fragments Derelict in the USU Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art (NEHMA).
To learn more, visit Carlos Kelly's website.
Raul the Third | Artist
April 23, 2019
Raul The Third joined the Latinx Cultural Center's list of guest speakers with a presentation in Utah State University's Merrill-Cazier Library. The presentation included his personal life's story and his career development as an author and artist as well as a hands-on writing and drawing demonstration.
To learn more, visit Raul the Third's website.
José Roach Orduña | Author
November 15, 2018
José Roach Orduña joined the Latinx Cultural Center in the inaugural presentation of the James Porras Lecture Series. Orduña had his presentation in the Perry Pavilion at Utah State University where he had a book reading of his book The Weight Of Shadows: A Memoir of Immigration & Displacement. After the reading, Orduña provided the attendees with a Q&A session and a book signing.
To learn more, visit José Roach Orduña's website.