LOC StoryMaps
Welcome to UHD’s Discovering Afro-Latino Heritage: A Reflective Story Map Project!
Introduction
Our Mission
Our mission is to enhance student belongingness and learning by creating digital, interactive Story Maps that vividly illustrate the origins of Afro-Latinos. Through the creative remixing of engaging maps, photos, recordings, narratives, and other digital materials from the Library of Congress, we aim to bring history to life in a dynamic and accessible way.
During the Fall and Spring 2024 semesters, faculty and their student participants contributed to the creation and curation of content with the support of the Library of Congress and our project team. Together, we explored innovative pedagogical strategies and storytelling techniques, enhanced by Esri's GIS-based Story Map technology.
We invite you to explore these Story Maps and celebrate this journey of discovery and reflection with us, as we foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Afro-Latino heritage. Together, we are building a richer educational experience that connects and empowers our communities.
The Core Grant Team
- Gregory A. Dement, PI and Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence at
UHD oversaw grant operations and integration of the Afro-Latino Story Map project
into existing CTLE programs
- Raquel Patricia Chiquillo, CO-PI and Faculty Lead for the project. She is professor of Spanish in the Department
of History, Humanities and Languages at the University of Houston-Downtown, where
she has taught since 2002. She worked closely with faculty and student translators
in the planning and development of the projects.
- Fabiola Vacatoledo, Instructional Designer with the UHD CTLE, provided support and guidance in the development
and implementation of the project to faculty, student contributors and translators.
- Jennifer Fuentes, UHD Online Learning Librarian provided research guidance for resources from the Library of Congress and outside resources. She also provided support on copyright, accessibility and technical needs for faculty and students.
Statement of Racial Sensitive Language
A clear and respectful statement addressing the use of racially sensitive language.
Please be aware that this project contains language and terminology that reflect historical contexts and perspectives, which may be sensitive or offensive to some readers. Some of the words associated with slavery and race in historical documents are considered offensive as they objectify the Afro-Latino people who were enslaved, disregard their own perspectives on this period of history, and often reduce individuals to a single term that fails to acknowledge the multiple strands of their ethnic/racial heritage.
Knowing the most appropriate language to use when teaching and discussing the history of slavery and race can be both confusing and challenging. This is particularly true for Afro-Latino heritage, where the language remains controversial, and its meaning is not universally agreed upon. This complexity is also present in the Spanish language, where terminology is still in development in each country. Translating these terms adds another layer of difficulty, as the United States has a specific experience with slavery that differs from that of Latin American countries.
As we strive to represent Afro-latino heritage with respect, we will be open to learning and updating our language choices as needed.
Collections of Storymaps
Brief descriptions and links to each of the collections.
CCDI Grant Collection
Events Related to Our Grant
Upcoming and past events
- Afro-Latino Day
- LatinFest
- Showcase
- Author presentation
- Summer Fuse
Press Related to Our Grant
- UHD Receives Library of Congress Grant
- The Library of Congress Takes Note
- Library Awards New Digital Storytelling Grants
- Connecting Communities Digital Initiative (CCDI)
- Meet the 2024 Connecting Communities Digital Initiative Higher Education and Libraries, Archives, Museums Recipients
- Library of Congress Awards Nearly $400,000 to Six Projects Highlighting Uses of Digital Collections
Why Story Maps?
The pedagogical rationale for creating Story Maps is grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), a motivational framework that identifies three universal human psychological needs: relatedness, competence, and autonomy. These needs are essential for fostering intrinsic motivation, engagement, and learning.
A central focus of this project is the universal need to feel connected and a sense of belongingness with others (i.e., relatedness), which is also an institutional priority at UHD. By establishing belongingness as a core component, we aim to build a strong community. This objective aligns with empowering students to share their stories and giving them a voice.
Faculty involved in this project worked with their students to curate and create Story Map content and propose specific activities and strategies to help students contribute to the Afro-Latino Story Maps.
More information about Esri ArcGIS Story Maps Software: https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-storymaps/overview
Translation and Translators
Information about the translation process and the translators involved.