OUSD Celebrates Latino Heritage Month: A Legacy of Leadership

From September 15 to October 15, we proudly join the nation in celebrating Latino Heritage Month. This is a time to honor the vibrant cultures, rich histories, and invaluable contributions of the Latino community, whose roots stretch across Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. In Oakland, we are especially proud to recognize the profound impact of our Latino students, families, and staff who make up nearly half of our district and are a treasured part of our diverse community.

This year, we aim to shine a special light on the deep-rooted history of the Latino community right here in Oakland—a legacy that has shaped not only our local landscape but has also resonated nationally as a beacon of Latino leadership, activism, and artistic expression.

Building on Our Foundation: Latino Achievement and Empowerment in OUSD

Our work is guided by our School Board's Latino Heritage Resolution, ensuring that our 48% Latino student population—representing heritage from 15 different countries—sees themselves and their histories reflected in their education.

• Dedicated Support through the Latino Student Achievement Initiative: Launched in 2017, OUSD's Latino Student Achievement (LSA) initiative provides wraparound support to students, partners with families, and offers cultural responsiveness training for educators. Their work has led to increased attendance and continues the annual Honor Roll ceremony that, in the 2024-2025 school year, recognized over 4,200 Latino students for achieving a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Fostering Bilingualism and Biliteracy: Dual Language programs are offered across the district, with several elementary schools offering Spanish-English immersion pathways, including Manzanita SEED and Melrose Leadership Academy. With Mam being the second-largest home language in OUSD (5%) after Spanish (33%), OUSD also provides targeted resources and interpreters to support our Mam-speaking students and families.
• Raza Clubs and Latinos Unidos student affinity groups provide safe spaces for students to connect, celebrate their identity, and develop leadership skills. The Latinx Mentoring & Achievement (LMA) program, in partnership with community organizations like The Unity Council, is a nationally recognized initiative that supports youth with mentorship and career planning at schools, including Skyline High and Madison Park Academy.

Resources for Educators and Families

Our Latino Student Achievement (LSA) team has curated comprehensive resources that highlight both national Latino heritage and Oakland's specific contributions:

Latino Heritage Month Full Toolkit

This toolkit includes lessons on Oakland's role in the Chicano Movement, the history of Latino activism in Northern California, and ways to connect our local history to broader Latino heritage themes.

Oakland's Pivotal Role in Latino History

Our city has been a canvas for powerful movements that transformed education, labor rights, and social justice across California. The Chicano Moratorium march in East Oakland on July 26, 1970, stands as a pivotal moment where activists and students organized for social justice, leading to local and state reforms. This year marks the 55th anniversary of this powerful demonstration for civil rights. You can learn more by watching this short video on the history of the Oakland Chicano Moratorium.

Oakland was home to the founding of Centro Legal de la Raza in 1969, one of the nation's first legal aid organizations dedicated to protecting Latino rights.

The legacy of activism and the fight for workers' rights, famously led by figures like César Chávez and Dolores Huerta with the United Farm Workers—who organized right here in our streets—continues to inspire our community's commitment to justice and equity.

Across Fruitvale, vibrant murals—many created by the Royal Chicano Air Force collective—document the struggles and triumphs of the Latino community, making Oakland home to one of the most significant collections of Chicano art in Northern California. This legacy is kept alive today by community leaders like artist and RCAF member Malaquias Montoya, who remains active in Oakland through the Fruitvale History Project, alongside former OUSD behavioral specialist Annette Oropeza.

Community Voices

We are honored to share the voices and stories of our own students, staff, and community leaders in the coming weeks. Their personal journeys of cultural empowerment and dedication to our community are a source of inspiration for us all.

---

Miguel Hernandez Spanish Teacher Oakland High School

Beyond language and grammar, what is the most important cultural lesson or feeling you hope students take away from your classroom? I was born in El Salvador and have shared my cultural background in my classes throughout 32 years as a language teacher—30 years in OUSD! I want my students to value, understand, and appreciate the different aspects and richness of our Latino culture by learning the Spanish language. Could you share a story about a moment when you saw a student connect with their own heritage or a new perspective through a lesson in your class? For seven years, I was the sponsor for the Latino Raza Union at Fremont HS. We would organize a 5 de Mayo Cultural event for all students and staff. It was a fun time for students to celebrate their heritage with peers, even if they weren't Mexican or Mexican American. Sharing traditions and food created a sense of unity, and they felt proud of their culture. Every semester, I ask students to cook recipes from different cultural traditions. They enjoy eating together, which has been a good way for them to connect to their cultural background in my class.

---

Sara Nuño-Villa Family & Community Engagement Specialist Office of Equity

Is there a piece of advice, a dicho (saying), or a lesson from your elders that guides you in your professional role and personal life? I love the Mayan saying “In Lak'ech Ala K'in,” which means “I am you and you are me.” It captures the essence of who I am. I care deeply about others, especially Oakland students and families. The more we care for each other, the better our community will be. The Latino community is a great example of what it looks like to think and care about others. How does your own heritage inform your approach to building bridges and fostering a sense of belonging among OUSD families? I was blessed to be raised in Oakland. Coming from a bi-racial family has heavily impacted how I approach working with the community. It’s important to support your own community while also working with others, as we are impacted by each other's issues. Many of us raised here are 1st or 2nd generation. My father became a citizen when I was a child, and I remember feeling relieved he wasn’t in danger of being separated from us. These experiences shape how I support students and families. I can relate to what our community faces and have a passion to support them.

---

Yaretzi Corral 12th Grade Student Vice-President & Former Student Body President, Fremont High School

Is there a specific song, food, or place in Oakland that makes you feel deeply connected to your community and roots? A place in Oakland that deeply connects me to my roots is the Fruitvale Village. Whether it’s the food or the events that take place there, or just a random Tuesday afternoon, I can always feel my Mexican roots and culture. It’s comforting to know that many people from similar backgrounds all ended up in one place, sharing food, culture, and community. If you could give one piece of advice to a younger Latino student just starting middle or high school, what would it be? One piece of advice I would give to a younger Latino student is to never doubt themselves. There are so many obstacles that a young Latino person will come across, and it is important to stay true to your beliefs and goals. Never lose sight of what you want. With determination and dedication, anything is possible. You are your biggest motivator. If I had listened to the people who doubted me, I wouldn’t be where I am in my high school career, with good grades and a significant leadership role here at Fremont.

---

This Month's Celebrations and Events

Throughout Latino Heritage Month and into October, our schools will host heritage celebrations that connect our local history to broader Latino heritage themes, including:

• Annual Latinx Read-In (October 7-11): Join us for the 11th Annual Latine Literature Week! We're seeking volunteer guest readers to bring stories by Latine authors to life in Oakland elementary classrooms. Share your love of reading and connection to the community. The Oakland Ed Fund provides the books and coordination—all you need is your enthusiasm!
  Sign up to volunteer

We encourage our community to explore the rich literary world of Latino authors. A curated list of books reflecting these diverse experiences, with special attention to Bay Area authors. All recommended books are available for free in our digital District Library collection on Sora.

Run, Little Chaski! by Mariana Llanos (Kinder - 3rd Grade)

Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh (Kinder - 3rd Grade)

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote by Duncan Tonatiuh (Kinder - 3rd Grade)

Mexikid by Pedro Martín (4th - 8th Grade)

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (9th - 12th Grade)

We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez (9th - 12th Grade)

Looking Forward While Honoring Our Past

Let's continue to build a more inclusive and culturally responsive Oakland where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered. We invite all members of our community to participate in this month's celebrations, to learn about our shared history, and to continue building on the foundation laid by generations of Latino leaders who chose Oakland as their home and helped make it the vibrant, diverse, and justice-oriented city it is today.