Racial Equity Programs

Heritage Months

Latinx Heritage Month

Latinx Heritage Month, federally designated as Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988, is observed from September 15th to October 15th by celebrating the rich historical and cultural legacies of individuals whose ancestors came from the Caribbean, Central and South America, Spain, and Mexico. The day of September 15th is significant because it marks the anniversary of independence for multiple Latin American countries. During this 30-day period, the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI) and our partners in Student Affairs, the Center for Equity and Student Achievement (CESA), Chicana/o Studies, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and University of Colorado Denver’s Center for Identity and Inclusion will facilitate programs and events that highlight historical and contemporary contributions of the Latinx community to the fabric of our campus and society. 

Native Indigenous Heritage Month

Metropolitan State University of Denver resides on the ancestral lands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Sioux, and Ute people, all of whom still are in an ongoing relationship with this land. One of the ways we fight the erasure of Indigenous peoples is by recognizing the history that brought settlers, whether voluntary or formerly enslaved, to occupy this land. Here, that history is the Colorado Gold Rush of 1858 and 1859, where settlements like Auraria and Denver as well as other land grabs for gold mining that devastated the land and interrupted Ute and Cheyenne ways of living. Over the course of the next 20 years and the next rushes to take silver from the ground, the Cheyenne and Ute were displaced from this area, their homeland. By knowing this history, we can better understand our place within it and seek to be in the right relationship with the people who were here before us, and with the lands we, too, must steward in our work.

Black History Month

Black History Month observed in February is an opportunity to honor the accomplishments and recognize the struggles of Black folx in every area of history which is far more often undervalued.

The Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion in conjunction with the Center for Identity and Inclusion at CU Denver will host a variety of events to engage our community, honor historical and contemporary accomplishments of Black folx, and amplify the voices and actions of those who continue to fight the roots of social injustices that Black folx face. To develop cultural competence and work towards representation for Black folx, while emphasizing that Black Lives Matter, we encourage all people from the community to attend our events and to engage in reflection, celebration, and open dialogue during this month.

Women's History Month

Every March, the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI), The University of Colorado – Center for Access and Campus Engagement Department, The Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy, and the Auraria Phoenix Center commemorates Women’s History Month. What began simply as a Women’s History Week in the United States has evolved into an entire month full of celebration, education, and commemoration of women who come before us. We celebrate this month with all who identify as women including, but not limited to women of color, trans-women, queer women, and all other marginalized groups of women. We hope to create co-curricular programing with our partners to highlight and amplify the voices of women who are continuing to create change as well as champion for women on the Auraria campus. On March 8^th, we also recognize International Women’s Day. We want to acknowledge the oppression of trans, non-binary, gender-confirming, and women-identified individuals with emphasis on uplifting voices from the respective community.

API Heritage Month

Asian Pacific Islander American (API) Heritage Month occurs every year during the month of May to celebrate, uplift, and educate others about the complex history and identities of those in the API community. Due to the nature of our academic schedule, the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI), and the University of Colorado Denver Center for Access and Campus Engagement recognizes API History Month during the month of April. The CMEI and our partners collaborate every year to create programming surrounding the experiences and issues of the API community.

Through our events, we celebrate the vast diversity within the API identity and bring to light issues that our community is experiencing in order to grow and heal.