Angel Colon, a survivor of the June 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting, will speak at Ohio Wesleyan University as part of the Summit of Ohio Latinx (SOL) Conference.
Colon will speak at 1 p.m. April 22 in Room 301 of Merrick Hall, 65 S. Sandusky St., Delaware. His presentation is free and open to the public.
Colon, a member of both the Hispanic and LGBTQ communities, will share his life story, including the night he was shot six times in his leg, side, and hand during the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. The shooting – the deadliest in U.S. history – killed 49 people and left 53 wounded. Colon will discuss the importance of embracing diversity, respecting people’s differences, and rising above in times of trouble.
As a survivor, he is now working with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and traveling around the nation discussing topics such as gun violence and minority issues.
“One minute I was having fun and the next, I was shot multiple times and fighting for my life,” Colon told People Magazine. “I was shot by a man who never should have had a gun. … I’m just grateful to be here. It’s basically a second chance in life. I’m doing anything I can, and helping others as much as I can. I can share my message and my story and try to change the world.”
The Summit of Ohio Latinx (SOL) Conference was created in 2016 to bring together Latinx college students and their allies from around the state to discuss academic, social, economic, educational, and political topics impacting the Latinx population. Learn more at www.owu.edu/SOLconference.