YSU Kicks Off Hispanic Heritage Month with Ceremony

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration will feature events throughout Mahoning County and kicked off Thursday with an opening ceremony.

Christopher Colón, executive director of Thrive Mahoning Valley and a YSU alumnus, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony at the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County. He spoke of his grandmother, his abuela, who came to the continental United States mainland from Puerto Rico when she was a teenager.

“This year’s theme, Latinos Settling in the Valley Through the Centuries: Nuestro Destino, speaks directly to the journey that has brought so many of us here,” said Colón, who is also the Northeast Ohio Regional Director of Ohio Environmental Council and OEC Action Fund.

Nuestro Destino, or our destiny, isn’t just about where people end up but about how they get there, as well as the choices made, struggles endured and the community built along the way, he said. 

“My journey is a tapestry woven with rich experiences, cultural pride and a deep-seeded commitment to community service,” Colón said.

He described his grandmother as the hardest-working and most righteous person he knows. He said his speech was in her honor.

“The richest memories I have are watching her cook, not only at home but at the festivals,” Colón said, adding that those traditions left an indelible mark on him.

They were more than celebrations, he said. They were expressions of unity, love and resilience. As he grew older, he helped her cater.

“Learning not just the recipes but the values that she had: hard work, community, generosity,” Colón said. And he learned that food is a powerful connector, a way to share culture and to bring people together.

His childhood though, wasn’t without challenges, he said, although he didn’t elaborate.

“It’s the grit of Youngstown, the spirit of this community, the resilience of its people, the unwavering support of this community that instilled in me a sense of pride and belonging,” Colón said.

Along with his family, the city taught him what it is to thrive and to create meaningful change.

He called his time at YSU, where he earned a social work degree, transformative. The summer bridge program taught him the importance of equitable learning.

“The friendships I formed, the mentors I found during this time provided me with a solid foundation and a sense of direction as I began my studies at YSU that year,” Colón said.

The ceremony began with a flag ceremony, with flags representing 22 Hispanic countries. Ana Torres, Maag Library co-director and Hispanic Heritage Planning Committee member, led the flag ceremony.

“It means a lot to us to be able to celebrate this special month and the contributions of Hispanic Americans to our nation,” Torres said.

YSU President Bill Johnson gave opening remarks for the ceremony.

“Our Hispanc community here in Youngstown is growing,” Johnson said. “I know the very first Hispanic Heritage event that I went to, Shorty Navarro and his wife, Elba, invited me to years ago. I can’t tell you what the speaker said, but I can tell you that the food was delicious.”

State Sen. Al Cutrona of Canfield, R-33rd, presented both YSU and the library with proclamations, recognizing the ceremony. Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown also presented a proclamation.
Hispanic Heritage Month officially starts Sunday, and YSU’s activities observing it run throughout. A list of events can be found HERE.

Pictured at top: Christopher Colón, executive director of Thrive Mahoning Valley and a YSU alumnus.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.