By Zaynah Almasri ’27
Latine Affirmation Month (LAM) is officially underway at Wesleyan! Each fall, LAM brings together students, faculty, and staff to celebrate the histories, cultures, creativity, identities, and experiences of Latine communities both at Wesleyan and beyond.
Last Wednesday, the month began with the annual LAM Kickoff, bringing the community together for an evening of food, speakers, music, and conversation. The event featured both staff and student speakers, including students representing organizations that are cosponsoring events throughout the month. Wesleyan’s Latin American Student Organization (LASO) coordinated dinner catered by Tres Salsa, and after hearing from the speakers, attendees had the chance to listen to music, mingle, and spend time together.
According to Tess Soraire ’28, one of the organizers, this year’s kickoff felt particularly special because of how many people showed up.
“LAM kickoff this year was our most well attended since I’ve been on campus, which warmed my heart and made me feel like we really helped foster an event and space that people wanted to be a part of,” she shared.
Putting together an event of that size also required a lot of collaboration behind the scenes. Tess especially appreciated the Resource Center staff who came to help set up, as well as her co-chair, Amber Bretz ’27, who worked closely with the student groups and helped make sure all of the logistical deadlines were met.
And the kickoff was only the beginning. LAM includes events throughout the month that give students different ways to celebrate, learn, and connect. Latin Game Night has already brought in an even bigger turnout than organizers expected. Still to come are events like Canvassing the Caribbean, the LAM Formal, and Expressiones, which Tess described as her personal favorite LAM event.
This year’s calendar is made possible by collaboration across campus, with support from groups including LASO, WesQuisqueya, the Caribbean Student Association (CSA), Wesleyan Latin and Ballroom, the Office of Student Involvement, and the Wesleyan Alumni Association and Alumni of Color Council.
With a packed calendar ahead, LAM offers plenty of opportunities to celebrate, connect, dance, eat, learn, and simply spend time in community. If the turnout at the kickoff is any indication, there is a lot to look forward to this month.
