The Ohio Latino Affairs Summit (OLAS) 2023, co-hosted by The Ohio Latino Affairs Commission and, for the first time, Kent State University, will aim to engage the Latino community in significant discussions.
The event is scheduled for Sept. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kent Student Center and is open to the public, with an emphasis on K-12 and college-level students.
Daniel Diaz Nilsson, the assistant dean for access and engagement for the College of Education, Health and Human Services, will run the event.
“We – Latinos – impact and engage in all,” he said. “Further elaborating on the summit’s objectives, as our theme suggests, ‘Juntos!’ – together – we look forward to gathering together and uplifting our Latino community.”
OLAS 2023 will unite educators, legislators, state and local government representatives, businesses, organizations, students and various stakeholders for discussions on the challenges faced by Hispanic and Latino communities and the most effective means of providing support.
The summit will unfold on the first day of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Its overarching theme, “¡Juntos! Latino Growth Is Ohio Growth,” will be explored through a blend of in-person and virtual workshops.
Admission to this event is cost-free, but prospective attendees must preregister. General registration is accessible at this link. For K-12 student groups, each student must register individually via this link. This is the first in-person assembly since the onset of the pandemic.
Past summits have focused on one of three distinct events: education, healthcare and business/workforce development. This year, all three facets will be addressed, promising a comprehensive exploration of critical topics.
Nilsson anticipates the event will not only facilitate the forging of new connections but also provide valuable networking opportunities.
Beyond the summit, the aspiration is to sustain the momentum, promoting sustained learning and collaboration — all with a central aim of mutual growth.
Annabel Meleán, a public policy officer, takes on the role of co-host for OSAL for the first time.
Reflecting on her own experience as a University of Cincinnati student in 2016 when the summit exclusively addressed education, Meleán said she has enthusiasm for engaging with current students.
“I’m excited to see students there,” she said. “I was in their shoes not long ago.”
With an overarching vision of empowerment, Meleán spoke on the support available to attendees.
“The whole community is behind you,” she said, “to support you in achieving your dreams.”
Sofia Giotti Teixeira is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].