Celebrating Culture At CDU By Letha Wells & Maruska Moore
This year’ s Cinco de Mayo celebration at CDU was a vibrant tribute to the resilience and richness of Latine heritage, centered around the theme Raíces y Futuro—“ Roots and Future.”
It invited the campus community to honor traditions while celebrating the evolving, living culture of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The day served as a joyful affirmation of CDU’ s commitment to cultural inclusion, equity, and pride in every thread of its diverse tapestry.
Following the May Cinco De Mayo Celebration was the Juneteenth celebration at CDU. It was a powerful gathering centered on the theme Sankofa & Self-Care, a reminder that healing begins by honoring the past. The event invited the CDU community to reflect on legacy, liberation, and the importance of rest and joy as acts of resistance and remembrance.
Highlights included a stirring spoken word performance by nationally acclaimed poet Alyesha Wise-Hernandez, whose words affirmed the beauty and complexity of Black life. From music and games to food and thoughtful details that evoked memories of home, the day offered more than celebration; it offered restoration.
As President Carlisle shared in his opening remarks,“ Juneteenth is not only about the delayed freedom of those enslaved in Texas, it is also about reclaiming the joy, rest, and self-determination that was so long denied.”
It was a day of joy, reflection, and community, one that truly refilled our cups.
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