Latino empowerment, identity and positive cultural representation were the themes of University alum and current financial aid advisor Cesar Orozco's keynote speech this weekend at the University's first Latino Unity Month kickoff reception.

"The tools to empower (the Latino community) are with us, we just need to learn how to use them," Orozco said. "We need to use our undergrad experience as a training ground for us to perform in the future in regards to giving back to our communities and succeeding in our careers."

The event was the start of a month-long cultural celebration aimed at bringing together the Latino community, celebrating Latino heritage and educating the campus community about a culture different from their own.

Aurora Torres, an LSA junior, said she hopes the month's events will be successful in promoting Latino culture and making people aware of who Latinos are.

"Some people have misconceptions that 'Latino' refers to only Mexicans or Puerto Ricans, when really there are so many more groups that are part of the culture," she said.

LSA junior and Unity Month co-sponsor Celso Cardenas said he hopes having student groups working together will help break down barriers within the Latino community. He added that students have to be willing to be the pioneers that take the extra step to learn about others.

Donney Moroney, Latino program coordinator for Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs, said a central component to the week is educating others. Moroney added that other central components include empowerment and recognizing that Latinos have made a presence in society and in the community, and giving students a chance to share that with the rest of the University and Ann Arbor communities.

"This month was designed to really highlight the fact that on this campus there is a strong presence of Latino students," Moroney said. "(Latino Unity Month) helps the students with a sense of cultural pride - they take pride in who they are and sharing it with others."

Upcoming events include lectures, workshops, a cultural show and a recognition gallery that recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of Latino student organizations, faculty and staff.

LSA senior Victor Soto said when he came to the University he was looking for a way to learn more about his culture. He said if people had not taken the initiative to put on these kinds of events he would not have learned as much or been as involved.

Soto said he feels Latino Unity Month gives students a chance to connect with new faces and old friends as well as to bring in members of the Latino community who might not normally be involved.

LSA junior Cynthia Alvarez said "I think that since some of us come from areas or states where there are many Latinos, when you come here you want to find someone that's like you and can relate to you, providing you comfort. ... A lot of us are first generation Latinos going to college acting as a support system for each other because we're away from home."

Alvarez said people of all backgrounds should attend events like the cultural show, which gives them a chance to meet people and explore different aspects of Latino culture.

LSA junior Rishtee Kumar said she goes to all types of cultural events, including Latino events, even though she is not Latino.

"I think we should take advantage of the fact that we have such a culturally diverse campus," she said. "It's a shame that people don't take the initiative to learn about things different than what they're accustomed to. After the University I'm probably never going to get the chance to interact with so many different types of people, so I'd like to make the most of it."