ECC Latinx Heritage Month Kickoff Brunch to feature Illinois Dream Fund chair Sept. 13

Elgin Community College's celebration of Latinx Heritage Month begins with a keynote address by Tanya Cabrera, assistant vice provost for student inclusion at the University of Illinois-Chicago's Office of Diversity and the chair of the Illinois Dream Fund Commission, at the kickoff brunch on Friday, Sept. 13. It will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in the Building E Dining Room, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

In 2011, Cabrera was appointed to serve as chair for the Illinois DREAM Fund Commission. In this role, Cabrera hopes to set the platform for educational access and degree obtainment for undocumented students in Illinois and across the U.S. She credits her early exposure to community activism and family values with establishing her commitment of civic responsibility to her family and community.

The brunch will be led by the Latinx Heritage Month Committee. The theme for this year's events is "¡Si Contamos y Si Podemos! (Yes We Count and Yes We Can)."

"We chose our theme to shine a light on the values our Latinx community brings to ECC and to the community as a whole," said Vincent Casico, co-chair of the committee. "Within our current political climate, our Latinx community has been put on the forefront of important issues such as immigration reform and the upcoming Census 2020. We wanted to create events that will serve to inform and provide awareness about the importance of being counted as well as showcase the resilience and strength of our community."

Seating is limited and tickets for the brunch can be purchased at tickets.elgin.edu or by calling the ECC Arts Center box office at (847) 622-0300. Cost is $12 for students and $20 for community members. Sponsor tables are also available for $200 and accommodate eight people.

Other events during Latinx Heritage Month include the following:

• "Latinx Conexión - HIS" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, in Building B, Jobe Lounge. Get connected with campus departments, student organizations and resources at ECC. Prominent Latinx leaders from ECC, four-year Hispanic Serving Institutions, and the community at large will be there to welcome you to the ECC community. This event provides a great opportunity to network and set a path to success.

• "Teatro Que Importa Caught Between Two Worlds" from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, in Building G, Room G100, Spartan Auditorium. Join a staged reading of "Caught Between Two Worlds" by Carlos Perez, followed by a discussion with the cast. Produced by the ECC Theatre Department. Coffee and conchas will be provided.

• "¡Juntos Contamos: Entendiendo el Censo 2020!" on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Jobe Lounge, Building B, and 6:30 to 8 p.m. (en Español) in the Seigle Auditorium. Local community organizations and leaders will speak on the impact the Latinx community can make with representation in the 2020 Census. Get the most up-to-date information regarding the myths and controversy surrounding the census, and participate in the community fair for a chance to win raffle prizes.

• "Danzapateado by BFH … Dance, Express, Inspire!" at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, in the Blizzard Theatre, Building H. Celebrating 23 years as a nonprofit organization in Elgin, Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl's mission is to engage and inspire future leaders through artistic expression and community engagement. With an array of dances, sounds, and colors, the award-winning dance troupe showcases the varied musical landscape that is Mexico. Their diverse array of folkloric dances demonstrate the uniqueness of each cultural region and style. Experience one of Elgin's cultural treasures. Advance tickets are $20, $17 for seniors, or $12 for age 10 or younger. Tickets at the door are $23, $20 for seniors, or $15 for age 10 or younger. Purchase tickets at tickets.elgin.edu. Learn more at bfh.org.

The closing event will be "We Rise Gala: A Community Fundraiser for Undocumented, DACA, and Mixed Status Families" from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, in Jobe Lounge, Building B. Support, celebrate, and acknowledge undocumented, DACA, and mixed status students and their families. The evening will feature a keynote address by Aurora Chang, assistant professor and program chair in higher education at Loyola University Chicago, and entertainment by Quinto Imperio along with dinner and dancing.

General admission tickets are $35 for community members and $12 for students with a valid student ID.

Sponsor tables are also available for $350 for a seating of eight.

All the proceeds for this event will go toward a scholarship fund to help undocumented, DACA, and mixed status students gain access to financial assistance and resources within the ECC community. Purchase your ticket and reserve your seat at elgin.edu/lhm. Pre-purchased tickets are highly recommended by Friday, Oct. 4. Walk-ins not guaranteed.

Events are free and open to the public except as otherwise noted.

ECC's Latinx Heritage Month celebration is sponsored by the Latinx Heritage Month Committee, Office of Student Life, Performing Arts Center, Organization of Latin American Students, and Columbia College of Missouri-Elgin. The college is proud to be designated as a Hispanic-serving institution since 2009.

For more information, call the Office of Student Life at (847) 214-7370 or visit elgin.edu/lhm.