Samford University’s on-campus tribute to Hispanic Heritage month will include insightful films and a lecture on Latino immigrant activism by Samford history professor Carlos E. Aleman. The events are free and open to the public.

Activities begin with the film, The Stranger, Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 5:30 p.m. in Christenberry Planetarium. The 2014 documentary focuses on the immigration issue from a Christian perspective.

A second documentary, Which Way Home, will be shown Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 5:30 p.m. in Christenberry Planetarium. The 2009 film tracks the experiences of three Central American children who migrate through Mexico trying to reach the U .S.

“This film is particularly timely given the Central American child crisis at the border,” said Denise Gregory, director of Samford’s Office of Diversity and Intercultural Initiatives, which co-sponsors the campus salute to Hispanic culture with the university's Latin American Studies Program.

Professor Aleman will speak at a mid-day “Lunch and Learn” event on Wednesday, Oct. 15, in the Howard Room, located in Beeson University Center. His topic, “Alabama Unafraid: Latino Immigrant Activism Post HB56,” will examine how and why immigrants, both documented and undocumented, risk arrest and deportation to come out of the shadows and take a stand.

Aleman is an historian of modern Latin America who specializes in 20th Century Central America with special interests in migration, labor, violence and Latin American-U.S. relations.

Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. Aleman will speak and take questions from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. The event is free, but registration is requested. The link for more information and registration is https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lunch-and-learn-hispanic-heritage-month-tickets-12915640027.

The Samford community may also enjoy Fiesta Birmingham, a festival that offers music, art, food and culture representative of about 20 Latin American countries. The event on Saturday, Sept. 27, in downtown Birmingham’s Linn Park is from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $5 in advance or $8 at the entrance.

For more information on any aspect of Hispanic Heritage Month at Samford contact Gregory’s office at (205) 726-2614.