ECC to celebrate Latino Heritage Month
At Elgin Community College, Latino Heritage Month is more than a celebration. Held from Thursday, Sept. 15, through Thursday, Oct. 20, the event recognizes contributions made by Latinos while creating a respectful dialogue about important issues in the Latino community.
The month begins with the Latino Heritage Month Kickoff Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, in the Fox Valley University and Business Center Dining Room, 1700 Spartan Drive. This event invites the community to join the college in launching the celebration with keynote speaker Roberto Carmona, president and CEO of the Crimson Leadership Group.
Carmona has nearly 20 years of professional experience in the areas of strategic planning, community-based research, management, human resources and leadership development in the federal government, the private sector and the nonprofit sector. The Crimson Leadership Group is a Chicago-based organization serving in the function as management association for the National Forum for Latino Healthcare Executives, as a strategic planning consultant for the Chicago based ENLACE Violence Prevention Collaborative and conducting executive searches for national nonprofit organizations.
Tickets to the breakfast are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (847) 214-7370 by Thursday, Sept. 8.
For information about Latino Heritage Month, contact the Student Life Office at (847) 214-7370. Other events during Latino Heritage Month are listed below. All events are free and open to the public unless noted.
Fitness Week: Learn about and participate in health and fitness activities from 10 a.m. to noon and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, to Friday, Sept. 23, in the multipurpose classroom building.#147;Fidel Castro#146;s Daughter #8212; An Exile#146;s Memoir of Cuba#148;: Alina Fernandez is the daughter of the iconic former president describes growing up in privilege and privatization in communist Cuba from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, in the Advanced Technology Center Auditorium.Latin Dance Workshops: Learn salsa, Latin break-dance, bachata, ballet folklorico and quebradita with sessions at 9, 11 a.m., 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23, in the Student Resource Center Jobe Lounge.#147;Latino Diaries#148;: The second annual Latino Diaries featuring Joaquin Zihuatanejo will be performed from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept. 22, in the Advanced Technology Center Auditorium. Join the Organization of Latin American Students for a performance by this spoken word artist who mixes comedy, poetry and dramatic monologues to express his Latino culture.Social Services Week: Discover community support systems and volunteer opportunities from 10 a.m. to noon and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26 through Friday, Sept. 30, at the Multipurpose Classroom Building.Majority/Minority Event: #147;Losing My Culture#148; will be the topic from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Sept. 27 in the Advanced Technology Center Auditorium. How much of your culture do you really know and cherish? Panel members from various walks of life talk about their experiences.International Dance: Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at the ECC Arts Center. Enjoy these skilled folkloric dancers as they teach, promote, and share the beauty and culture of Mexico. Contact the ECC Box Office at (847) 622-0300 for ticket information.Latino Diversity Week: Participate in student-led presentations that celebrate diversity within the Latino student body from 10 a.m. to noon and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday to Friday, Oct. 3-7, in the Multipurpose Classroom Building Lobby.Fifth annual ECC#146;s Got Talent: Based on the popular television show, be entertained by the talent displayed by ECC students and others at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, in the Advanced Technology Center Auditorium.Children#146;s Piñata Workshop: The Organization of Latin American Students teaches children the colorful art of piñata making from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Oct. 10, in the Student Resource Center Community Room.Nuestra Belleza Latina ECC: Ladies, proud of their Latin culture, are invited to vie for a $500 grand prize in the Organization of Latin American Students#146; first Nuestra Belleza Latina ECC at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, in the Student Resource Center Community Room. Apply at the Student Life Office. #147;Mar Adentro#148; (#147;The Sea Inside#148;): This acclaimed film, directed by Alejandro Amenábar, stars Academy Award-winner Javier Bardem. It will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, and 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in the Advanced Technology Center Auditorium.