Curious students ventured down the stairs of the E building to attend the first general meeting of SIEMBRA, a Latinx leadership club of the academic school year on Sept 5.
The club hosts various events to showcase the many traditions and intercultures that encompass the Latinx community.
Of the many events the club organizes, they include Heritage Month Kick-Off, panels featuring Latinx influencers, and a Dia De Los Muertos celebration.
“I found a sense of belonging in this club and in my cultural identity. It was challenging at first but very fulfilling to host culturally relevant events,” Miguel Zavala, the president of SIEMBRA said.
SIEMBRA expects to hold multiple celebrations throughout the school year and hopes to create a special experience for the club and for the Latinx community.
The club was founded in the summer of 2022 as a space to showcase the identities that make up more than half of the student body.
Student Community Leader Rio Medina has been an ongoing supporter of SIEMBRA and has watched the club evolve over time.
“It has been hard as an educator to get students engaged. I noticed there has been a lack of empowerment,” Medina states.
“During the pandemic, there was a lot of unrest and a lot of students were involved in the uprisings. There is a level of motivation here that is untapped, but it’s been hard to get students to show up and follow through.”
SIEMBRA has numerous leadership positions that are available to eager new members.
These positions consist of club president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Additionally, the club is looking for an intercultural rep and interclub council.
The club has prioritized making an experience that will not only unite the Latinx community, but the greater LBCC population.
“Join SIEMBRA because the community won’t be the same without you,” Zavala said to conclude the meeting.
SIEMBRA’s first event, Latinx Heritage Month Kick-Off, is on Sept. 21st at the LAC campus from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. It will entail a variety of food trucks, live music, and a Selena impersonator who will perform throughout the course of the event.
Those interested in becoming members of SIEMBRA, or applying for a leadership position can find more information on their instagram @siembra.lbcc.