On Nov. 13 in the Student Activities Center, Spanish and Latinx Student Association held its second annual Noche de Fiesta event.   

Noche de Fiesta celebrated Hispanic and Latino heritage with traditional dances such as the salsa, bachata, samba, merengue and cumbia. In addition, the event provided traditional food and an environment for people of different backgrounds to learn about each other’s experiences.  

S.A.L.S.A. is a student-run cultural organization that is connected to the Center for Inclusion. They focus on engaging, empowering and connecting students on campus with Hispanic and Latino culture and with nonprofit organizations in the Northeast Ohio and Cleveland areas. They create different educational and entertainment events that celebrate Hispanic culture on BW’s campus.   

Geneviéve Carreño, president of S.A.L.S.A., collaborated this year with C.F.I. and Black Girls Rock, a division of the Black Student Alliance. The three groups worked on Noche de Fiesta together, spending time over Zoom planning the three hour event.   

“It’s an invitation to people who are outside of the community to learn and participate in the community in a safe place where they have an invitation that’s free,” Carreño said.   

Last year, the first Noche de Fiesta took place at the Center for Innovation and Growth and brought a diverse group of students and faculty together, but Carreño said it was too formal and small to dance and enjoy the celebration.   

“This year [the event was] in the S.A.C. which is an open space,” Carreño said, “and it’s kind of meant for dancing and partying and having fun.”