Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: The Importance of Latino Greek Organizations and Cultural Centers – From Ms. Fernandez and Javi

Hey Common Ground Family! 

This is Ms. Crystal Fernandez and Javi Fernandez, kicking off Common Ground’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. We thought this would be a great opportunity to highlight organizations that support Latino communities in higher education, specifically Latino Greek Organizations and Cultural Centers on college campuses. 

Ms. Fernandez became a sister of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated as an undergrad. The purpose of Lambda Theta Alpha shall be to provide a sisterhood based on unity, love and respect in an effort to foster the development of strong leaders who will then provide and practice political, social and cultural activities. To learn more about Ms. Fernandez’s organization, please click here.

Javi also became a brother of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc., as an undergrad.  The mission of Lambda Theta Phi is to empower the Latin male through scholarship, Brotherhood, opportunity and protection of identity and equality. To learn more about Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Incorporated, please click here.

We share this with you today because there were no Latino sororities or fraternities in existence in the United States in 1975. Both of our organizations were the first national Latino Greek organizations. Our founding members recognized the value of supporting each other and working towards mutual goals while studying in primarily white institutions. They often organized events in collaboration with cultural centers and groups like the Puerto- Rican/ Latin American Cultural Center (PRLACC) at UConn or the Latin American Student Organization (L.A.S.O.) at CCSU. Organizations like these are invaluable; providing safe spaces and community to college students of color. Surrounded by our peers, we persisted despite the many obstacles we faced. 

We both agree that our active membership in these organizations help to shape our leadership and contribute to our success as individuals and communities on the college campus and beyond. It is important to note, our organizations are multicultural and you do not have to identify as Latino to join! 

If you’d like to know more, we’d be happy to chat! 

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

Ms. Fernandez (Green Jobs Corps Director) & Javi (Student Engagement & Out-of-0f-School Program Manager)