Q&A: Michigan Ross Hispanic Business Student Association Members Talk About Latinx Heritage Month, Sharing the Culture, and How to Support Their Community
Latinx (or Hispanic) Heritage Month, which takes place Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, is a time to honor and celebrate the Latinx community and its rich history, culture, and achievements.
There is a strong Latinx community at the Ross School of Business and the University of Michigan. For Latinx Heritage Month this year, Michigan Ross caught up with three Ross Full-Time MBA students who are members of the Hispanic Business Students Association.
Below, hear from the HBSA members about how they are celebrating the holiday as well as about their organization and the Latinx community.
Fernando Espino Casas
Program/Year: MBA ’22
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Post-Graduation Career Interest: Digital consulting/tech strategy
How are you celebrating Latinx Heritage Month this year?
As one of two co-presidents of the Hispanic Business Students Association, one of our biggest priorities has been to ramp up the celebration of Latinx Heritage Month with the wider Michigan Ross community. Many of our events are organized in collaboration with other student groups, like Out for Business, Soccer Club at Ross, and Latin American Business Student Association. I find it’s been most enjoyable not just attending these events, but having put them together with other Ross community members to further add awareness to the Latinx community.
How has being a member of HBSA contributed to your Michigan Ross MBA experience?
We like to call all HBSA members “familia” and to me that’s encapsulated how I’ve felt about HBSA. It has been a home base for me and for others not just who are Latinx-identifying, but for those who are eager to be allies to our community. It’s been a highlight of my time here so far.
It is my "familia" away from home, and as members, we try to make sure incoming HBSA members/allies feel welcome as well.
What HBSA events/programming have you enjoyed the most?
I have most enjoyed events such as our HBSA Ross alumni panels exploring our Latinidad in corporate America as well as various speakers that have come to talk to us, most notably Maria Hinojosa last year. I have enjoyed the speaking engagements, alumni panels, and getting to know HBSA members via many social gatherings, in and outside of Ross.
How can the Michigan Ross community support the Latinx community?
I think there are three things. For those at Ross – attending HBSA events and engaging with Latinx classmates is a great way to help us gain more visibility and in turn learn about the issues that affect our community. For Ross staff and administration – continue to invest in efforts to encourage more Latinx-identifying prospective students to apply/attend Ross and add to our community, and, third, also continue to foster connections with alumni so that they continue to have connections with the current students here. Attend HBSA events, get to know Latinx classmates, and include Latinx speakers in programming: Representation matters.
Kateri Gutierrez
Program/Year: MBA ’22
Hometown: Lynwood, California
Post-Graduation Career Interest: Consulting
How are you celebrating Latinx Heritage Month this year?
I participate in programming hosted by HBSA and read up on U.S. Latinx stories (Once I was you by Maria Hinojosa). Organizations like La Casa and Puentes have allowed me to share my experience as a Latina MBA with the greater Michigan community.
How have you been able to celebrate and/or share your Latinx heritage as a Ross MBA student?
At the end of winter A last year, I bought a wide variety of Mexican candies and made candy bags for sharing with friends. I relive my childhood memories of visiting my grandparents while bringing sweet treats to fellow Rossers! Additionally, I like to host Lotería Nights, a small gathering where we play Mexican Bingo and Millennial Loteria with friends. The game serves as an excellent opportunity to practice beginner Spanish and see the Spanglish twist with Millennial Loteria.
What does being Latinx mean to you, and/or what should others know about the Latinx community?
The Latinx community is incredibly entrepreneurial. Having founded a coffee shop, I met many fellow Latinx entrepreneurs along the way, including street vending, tech startups, and financial services. Their ambition, camaraderie, and pride in the culture continue to inspire me to leverage my MBA to empower new entrepreneurs.
How can the Michigan Ross community support the Latinx community?
Attend HBSA events, get to know Latinx classmates, and include Latinx speakers in programming: representation matters.
Marquis Fernandes
Program/Year: MBA ’23
Hometown: Freeport, New York
Post-Graduation Career Interest: Consulting/technology
How are you celebrating Latinx Heritage Month this year?
Although I'm living in Ann Arbor and home feels far, I am celebrating by grabbing margaritas with my peers, sharing Latin cooking recipes, and participating in salsa classes at Dance Revolution. The community here at Ross makes it easy to engage with my peers, so I am using this time to engage and learn more about one another's backgrounds. Since arriving, I have learned so much from my classmates who are from Brazil, Peru, and Guatemala. For example, I've learned from my Brazilian classmate when getting to know someone, they ask many follow-up questions, something that I wasn't used to growing up in New York.
How have you been able to celebrate and/or share your Latinx heritage as a Ross MBA student?
As someone from a mixed background (mom is Cuban and dad is Indian), Ross has given me a place to share my story and experiences as someone who experienced a cultural identity conflict growing up. As a child, I was often not seen as one because of the other, which was challenging to share. However, as I grew older, I learned to celebrate both because they each have contributed to who I am today, which I and my family couldn't be prouder of.
What does being Latinx mean to you, and/or what should others know about the Latinx community?
Being Latinx to me is being proud of my heritage and maintaining a solid work ethic. As someone who used to clean Blockbuster Video stores at 16 years old to save for college, I am proud of what I have accomplished in my 30 years. I think the work ethic my parents instilled in me made them proud.
When folks think of Ann Arbor, I'm sure the last thing that comes to mind is Latinx! However, there is a strong community with so much to share. Now, I can say, I look forward to the salsa lessons at Dance Revolution and the Brazil Club BBQs.
How can the Michigan Ross community support the Latinx community?
I think Ross can continue to encourage Latinx students to share their stories. It was through this empowerment I chose to share mine.
