Sonoma States University strives to celebrate all of its students and staff cultural differences. On Sept. 27, there will be a Latinx Community and Ally Lunch at the HUB from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and all are welcome. The Honoring Uniting Building (HUB) Cultural Center works to foster connections and meaningful conversation to build community between cultures and across different worldviews.

“I will be co-facilitating the Real Talks along with Marissa Chavez. For Real Talk for Latinx Communities and Allies, the goal is to have a space at The HUB to share our stories about the Latinx Culture.  Each month we have a different topic to highlight,” said Shelly Gomez, staff member of the HUB and co-facilitator of the event. 

The HUB invites all Seawolves to eat, celebrate, and connect with peers to meet new people. The HUB hopes that students and staff are able to join them and have the opportunity to connect with one another to build a community, and support each other as Seawolves enter the new semester.

“These luncheons are open to the public and you eat and get to interact and talk about different connections that you have on campus. It is an easy way to come together with people that are like you and it helps minority groups not feel alone,” said the Student Government Senator of Diversity, Morgan Beatty.

Their approach at the HUB is to honor students that should be treated with dignity and respect.They unite all people to explore what it means to be part of an authentic community. 

“The HUB is Sonoma State’s cultural center that hosts events in relation to race-ethnicity, and gender-sexuality, plus social justice. The staff are very sweet welcoming group of folks,” said active member of the HUB, Mia Lopez-Bazan. 

The HUB’s staff and peers encourage students to help build a future that is more than just compassionate and loving. 

They work together to create a safe space for all students. Not only does it encourage folks to create new connections, but they emphasize on the importance of being able to interact with peers with different views.

Sept. 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month of 2019 officially kicked off. Many organizations have come together to positively influence and enrich the nation and society. 

“We strive to be a space that continuously honors different identities throughout each semester,” said Gomez.

The HUB works alongside many students to create a welcoming environment for Seawolves with a safe place where students can learn,engage, and respect each other’s experiences.

“As undergraduate student last year, and previous intern at The HUB,  I created and facilitated Real Talk for Latinx Communities and Allies to honor Latinx  students across campus.   Now, as I returned as Interim Program Coordinator, I wanted to continue with the program and create a space at The HUB for the Latinx  community to  come together and share our stories,” said Gomez.

Many programs that the HUB has to offer is always welcoming to ally’s. They want to ensure that the HUB is a comfortable place for Seawolves and for anyone who identifies with a certain groups feel honored and respected. 

“The HUB is a really great way to network and get to know other Latinx folks on campus. It’s a safe space for students to hang out, do homework and host club meetings.” said President of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambios Social (MALCS) Gabriela Davila. 

The Latinx Community and Allies lunch happening on Sept. 27 is one of the many free luncheons that the HUB provides for its students during the start of a new semester. If you are looking for a safe place and a way to interact with your peers check out the HUB on the second floor of the student center and pick up a flyer.