Sponsored by

The Myron P. Leven Foundation

The 7th Annual La Academia del PuebloLatino/a and Latin American Research Conference

“(De)Colonizing the Mind: Knowledge From the Margins”

April 23, 2016 Walter P. Reuther Library

Saturday, April 23, 2016 WSU Student Center 9 a.m. REGISTRATION and BREAKFAST 9:30 a.m. WELCOME (Ballroom) M istress of Ceremonies – Tamara Serrano Chandler

C2C Program Coordinator, CLLAS Dr. Jorge L. Chinea – Director, CLLAS Huehueyolotl – Mexika women’s ceremonial drum group based out of Detroit. The mission is to recover, preserve and protect sacred ancestral songs from a variety of Native American traditions with a special emphasis on songs in the Nahuatl language.

10 a.m. M ORNING PLENARY Presenter: Dr. Dylan A. T. Miner, Director of the American Indian Studies Program, Michigan State University

11 a.m. P ANEL SESSIONS: TRACK I “Community Engagement: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” (Hilberry A)

Moderator: Dr. Nicole Trujillo Pagan, WSU • Dwayne Berry, Psychology, WSU – “When the Session is Over” • Blanca Centeno, Criminal Justice, WSU – “Challenges in

Community Policing” • Marcela Darris, Criminal Justice, WSU – “Society's Fugitives:

The Reality Behind the Badge”

“Decoloniality as Latinx Studies Praxis: Transdisciplinary Perspectives from Michigan State University” (Hilberry B)

• Dr. Yomaira Figueroa, Dr. Django Paris, Dr. Maribel Santiago, Christian Ramirez, Briona Jones, Tashal Brown and Chris Yepez (Sacramento Knoxx)

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Conference Overview

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WSU Student Center Building 2nd floor

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3 p.m. PANEL SESSIONS: TRACK II “Serving in an Engaged Community: Latino Grand Rapids”

(Hilberry A) Moderator: Dr. Jose Cuello, WSU • Mary Rose Naoum, School of Social Work, U-M – “The Global

Empire Manifests as Corporate Power: Transcending the Normative Framework by Restructuring the Story of Detroit”

• Michelle Rubin, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, U-M – “Gentrification as Recolonization: Unpacking Detroit’s Revitalization Narrative”

• Joe Donlin, Strategic Actions for a Just Economy – “Serial Displacement, Trauma-by-Development and Resistance to Erasure in South Central Los Angeles”

• Ever Osorio, The New School for Social Research – “Dispose and Disappear: The Denial of Recognition”

“Latino and African American Male Students: K-12 to Higher Education” (Hilberry C)

Moderator: Dr. Jorge L. Chinea, Director, CLLAS • Miguel Saucedo, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign –

“Endangered Species: The Hope for Mexican American Male Students in Chicago Public Schools”

• Dr. Leonard Savala, Director, Office of Multicultural Student Engagement, WSU; Dr. Henry L. Robinson, Director, Office of Federal TRIO-McNair Scholars, WSU; Jonathan Parks, MI GEAR UP Director, WSU; Adnoris “Bo” Torres, Teacher, Experiencia Academy Detroit (Middle School Social Studies) – “Latino/African American Male Crisis in Higher Education”

“Business and Latin America” (Hilberry C) Moderator: Dr. Jorge L. Chinea, Director, CLLAS • Michael Serwer, Mike Ilitch School of Business, WSU

and Nikolai Wasieleweski, Subtrakt Operations, LLC – “Microfinance Innovations in Latin America”

• Luis Salvador, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, U-M – “The Necessity of Taxation Justice For a More Profound Decolonization Process in Ecuador”

• Eduardo Gonzalez del la Vega Grunstein, Mike Ilitch School of Business, WSU – “Latino and the Rest of the World’s Cultural Differences”

“Agriculture in Harmony with the Environment” (Hilberry D) • Elsie Sofia Aquino, College of Education, WSU – Video and

discussion of agri-ecology curriculum in Puerto Rico

“Photography, Tribal Critical Race Theory, and the Misappropriation of Indigenous Cultures: Perspectives from a Chicana Behind the Lens” (Hilberry E)

• Heather Hathaway Miranda, Policy Studies, University of Illinois Chicago

Noon LUNCH AND KEYNOTE ADDRESS (Ballroom) M istress of Ceremonies – Tamara Serrano Chandler

C2C Program Coordinator, CLLAS Dana Thompson – Board of Governors, Wayne State University Dr. Jorge L. Chinea – Director, Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies, Wayne State University Dr. Carlos Muñoz, Jr. – Professor Emeritus, Chicano/Latino Studies, UC Berkeley and author of Youth, Identity, Power: The Chicano Movement

2 p.m. POSTER SESSION (Ballroom) LAS 1420 and participating scholars Book signing with Dr. Muñoz and Dr. Miner

(Outside ballroom)

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“Owning It, Our Education: Youth Empowerment in Southwest Detroit” (Hilberry B)

• Ricky Alvarez, Congress of Communities Youth Council • Ronni Alvarez, Congress of Communities Youth Council • Rosana Alvarez, Congress of Communities Youth Council • Diego Navarette, Congress of Communities Youth Council • Cecilia Ramirez, Congress of Communities Youth Council

“Latin American Contexts” (Hilberry C) Moderator: Dr. Erik “Zach” Morales, CBS Scholars Program

Coordinator, WSU • Dr. Gail Presbey, University of Detroit Mercy – “Insights

for Today from the Amuesha of Peru Regarding Ethics, Forgiveness and Reconciliation”

• Clarissa Carvalho, Classical and Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, WSU – “A Transculturation Study of the Progressive Roles of Cultural Dominance in the Carnival in Santiago de Cuba”

• Dr. Deuslene L. Bastos, Bridging Americas Through Cultural Competence and Language Services – “Why Do Cultural Traits Matter?”

“Decolonizing Knowledge through the Pedagogy of Latino Health Issues” (Hilberry D)

• Dr. Isabel Montemayor, The University of Texas at Arlington

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“Wellness Visionaries” (Hilberry D) Moderator: Dr. Nicole Trujillo-Pagan, WSU • Jazmin Barraza, Pre-Nursing, WSU – “Helping the

Underserved” • Ruben Maya-Luevano, Pre-Med, WSU – “Language Barriers in

the Healthcare Field” • Maricruz Moya, Community Health, WSU – “The Impact of

Community Health Education Specialists in our Communities” • Dreana Williams, Pre-Med, WSU – “Primary Healthcare:

Jumping Through Obstacles”

“Diversity and Education: The Differences Between K-5 and Higher Education” (Hilberry E)

Moderator: Bianca Suarez, UC Berkeley • Veronica Lopez-Vera, Spanish, WSU – “The Necessity for

Bilingual Teachings” • Dalma Lorence, Psychology, WSU – “How Language Barriers

Affect Students” • Josue Salas, English, WSU – “Challenges Confronting Post-

Secondary English” • Vanessa Blaz, Latino/a and Latin American Studies, WSU –

“Challenges Through the Eyes of the Professors”

4 p.m. PANEL SESSIONS: TRACK III “Community and Business: Bridging the Gap” (Hilberry A) Moderator: Victor Robinson, Southwest Detroit Business

Association • David Torres, Graphic Design, WSU – “Design: Challenges and

Self-Presentation” • Anthony Cooper, Graphic Design, WSU – “Electric Design: Art

in a New Age” • Viviana Galvan, Accounting, WSU – “Accounting Resources for

the Community” • Fernando Parraz, Marketing, WSU – “Marketing: Problems in

the Digital Age” • Angelina Truchan, Public Relations, WSU – “The Challenges of

Building and Maintaining Relationships in Public Relations”

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SCHOLARS POSTER SESSION2-3 p.m.

LAS 1420 and guest scholars

Diversity Within Presenter: Carissa Chacon

The Census for Latin@s Presenter: Gabrielle Lopez

Perspectives on Reproductive Health Care in Mexico and Central America Presenter: Cara Mitrano

Bilingualism Presenter: Vanessa Olivarez

Connecting Neuroscience Amongst Hispanics/Latinos Presenter: Monica Oviedo-Rodriguez

Gynecological Care is Key Presenter: Leydi Rodriguez-Vagas

Museums and Latino Artifacts Presenter: Marangelis Rosado

Donald Trump on “Illegal” Immigrants Presenter: Artemio Trevino

Minorities in Power Presenter: Whitney Dean

Lack of Diversity in Computer Science Presenter: William Esparza

Learning Stereotypes in Higher Education Presenter: Alexis Ferency

Latinos in the System Presenter: Vanessa Franco

Gender Bias: Discrimination in the Medical Field Presenter: Consuelo Garcia

What Makes Someone Identify Themselves Differently from their Race? Presenter: Melissa Gonzalez

For the Planet's Sake, as well as Our Own Presenter: Noribeth Mariscal

Breaking Barriers for Latino Americans Presenter: Lizbet Martinez

Latinos and Engineering Presenter: Juan Martinez

From False Perceptions to Understanding Presenter: Pilar Miranda Chavez

Who Am I? The Reality of Our Self-Identity Presenter: Illiana Navarra-Bueno

Latina/o Minority in Electrical Engineering Presenter: Oscar Palomino-Herrera

Sexism in the Nursing Field: Questioning Gender Stereotypes Presenter: Antoni Pizzali

Cuba’s Medical Renaissance: How a Small Island Created the Blueprint for Practicing Medicine in Decolonizing Nations Presenter: Amanda Reyes

Internet Use with Minorities in Politics Presenter: Isabelle Rios-Colon

Nutrition in South America Presenter: Camila Rodriguez-Valenzuela

Is Spanish in Decline? Presenter: Mayra Torres

The Health Systems in Spain and France Presenter: Tatyana Valdovinos

Where are the Native Americans of Latin America Today? Presenter: Alyssa Vasquez

Latinos Have Rights Presenter: Yessica Zepeda

Latinos in Mathematical Professional Careers Presenter: Linda Salazar

Latinos: The Forgotten Victims Presenter: Mariah Pino

A Different Face to the Automotive Industry Presenter: Fabian Chavez

The Performance of Latino Students in DPS Compared to Suburban Public Schools Presenter: Miriam Zepeda

Institutional Racism in the Latino Community Presenter: Javier Perez

Latinidad Fi El Sharia Presenter: Alexandra Sewell

Mentoring Program: Amigos Medicos and Latino/a American Studies Presenter: Dréana Williams

When Language Accessibility Services Become a Part of the Conversation Presenter: Karina Odom

The Impact of Timmy Global Health in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic Presenter: Amanda Fillmore (WSU)

An Examination of Infant Mortality Rate and Causes in Detroit and the Dominican Republic Presenters: Michelle Hudson, Estevan Osorio, Kay Dedicatoria (WSU)

Youth Perspectives and Resistance on how Schools Impact Adolescent Self-Concept, Social Networks, and Substance Abuse Presenter: Giselle Perez-Aguilar (U-M-School of Social Work)

Clinical Significance of a Well-defined Sustainable Electronic Medical Record (EMR) System Implemented in Medical Brigades to the Dominican Republic Presenters: Tannia Rodriguez-Valenzuela, Sergio Rodriguez-Valenzuela, Hamad Mirza, Monica Prasad (WSU)

Barriers for Political Representation for the Latino/a Community Presenters: Jesus Perez and Vic Singh (WSU, CLLAS)

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C2C: The College to Career VisionThe Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies’ C2C program, a two-year professional and leadership development plan, has a goal of increasing graduation rates for students at Wayne State University by connecting CBS Scholars with established professionals. The program uses a multifaceted approach combining career mentorship, community-based research and service-learning with professional development and graduate school preparedness.

LAS 3710, a capstone course for CBS Scholars, places upper-division students in nonprofit and social service organizations. Students collaborate with these agencies on community-based participatory research projects, thus building partnerships between academia, community organizations and residents. This course concludes with today’s conference, the 7th Annual La Academia del Pueblo, and offers research presentations by students and organizations.

This year, we have continued to build upon the initial vision of the C2C conference to invite undergraduate and graduate scholars, faculty members, community activists, corporate representatives, and community members to the table. Using our experiences within metro Detroit and other national areas as a foundation for our intellectual examinations, together we have been able to critically engage with Latino/a and Latin American frameworks. La Academia del Pueblo represents the deliberate connections we are eagerly establishing between the academy, the people, and our communities here in Michigan and across the nation.

This year’s conference theme is “(De)Colonizing the Mind: Knowledge From the Margins.” We come together as community members, scholars and concerned citizens to examine knowledge production taking place in the periphery by marginalized groups actively seeking to promote anti-colonial social justice frameworks and philosophies.

Through this multifaceted conference, WSU Latino/a Studies proactively addresses the Latino/a educational attainment gap by connecting young people to career and educational opportunities and expanding their networks, providing them with a space to grow as researchers and young leaders.

The Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies would like to thank the following faculty and staff members for their participation:

Dr. Jorge L. Chinea, Director, Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies (CLLAS)

Dr. José Cuello, Associate Professor, Department of History and CLLAS

Dr. Nicole Trujillo-Pagán, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and CLLAS, LAS 3710 Instructor

Tamara Serrano Chandler, C2C Program Coordinator, CLLAS

Dr. Erik "Zach" Morales, CBS Scholars Program Coordinator, CLLAS

Dr. Dolly Tittle, LAS 1420 Instructor

Alicia Diaz, LAS 1420 Instructor

Special thanks to:

Dr. Joseph Dunbar, Associate Vice President for Research and Assistant Dean of the Graduate School

Dr. Monica Brockmeyer, Associate Provost for Student Success

Sharon Almeranti, Senior Budget Analyst, Office of the Provost

Arianna Martinez, CBS Student Scholar, CLLAS Office Assistant

Jasmin Maciel-Gutierrez, CBS Student Scholar CLLAS Office Assistant

Eddy Gonzalez, CLLAS Office Assistant

Jesus Perez, M.S.W. CLLAS Intern, Conference Committee Member

Rebecca Ramos, MSW CLLAS Intern, Conference Committee Member

Tera Warn, M.S.W. CLLAS Intern, Conference Committee Member

Michael Serwer, C2C Senior Peer Mentor, Conference Committee Member

Tannia Rodriguez, CBS Scholars Freshmen Peer Mentor, Conference Committee Member

Brennan Cook, LAS Minor, CLLAS Office Assistant

Dr. Ethriam Brammer, Former Associate Director, CLLAS

Crystal Mott, Graphic Arts Coordinator, Marketing and Communications

And we would like to thank all of our panelists!