Mount Wachusett Community College Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month By Highlighting Local LATINX Leader

(GARDNER)—In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) will highlight LATINX leaders in North Central Massachusetts as part of the college’s Tea Time Speaker Series, Monday, September 30 from 11:00am to 3:00pm at the college’s Gardner campus. A panel discussion with local community leaders begins at 1:00pm in Room 115 (multipurpose room). “One of the fastest growing ethnic populations in the United States and here in North Central Massachusetts is the LATINX community,” said MWCC President Jim Vander Hooven. “Join us as we hear from community leaders, authors, educators, business owners, entrepreneurs and political activists tell their stories.”

Panelists include:

• Eladia Romero, Regional Manager for Congressman Jim McGovern
• Maria Milagros (Vazquez), Author, TEDx speaker and Entrepreneur
• Dr. Alberto J.F. Cardelle, Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Fitchburg State University
• Victor Rojas, Assistant Director for GEAR UP at Mount Wachusett Community College (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs)
• Migdalia Velez, Program Director at The Family Resource Center, MOC
• Otoniel Bolanos, ESL Specialization and Multicultural Education at Mount Wachusett Community College
• Irene Hernandez, Program Director at Active Life Health Care Management
• Mickey Guzmán, Information, Referral & Advocacy Specialist at the Spanish American Center
• Abraham Bravo, Student Trustee for Mount Wachusett Community College, Gateway to College student class of 2020, Upward Bound Math Science TRiO student at Fitchburg State University
• Tafadzwa Payne, President of ALANA student club, Gateway to College student class of 2020, Upward Bound TRiO student at Fitchburg State University

Prior to the panel discussion, attendees may choose from the following workshops:

Time: 11:00am-12:00pm

Workshop 1: Presentation of History of Social Change in Latino Communities by Francisco Ramos  Community Organizer with NewVue Communities in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Location: Murphy Room.

Workshop 2: Presentation and demonstration from Prestige Barber Shop by Richard “Richie” Santana, business owner of Prestige Barber Salon in Gardner MA. Location: Dance studio

The celebration will include food and entertainment from 12:00 Noon to 1:00pm in the South Cafe. Food is catered by the Spanish American Center, the only agency in Leominster specifically oriented towards the Spanish-speaking community, estimated at over 15,000. Today the Center offers multiple programs, has revenues in excess of $500,000 and is SOMWBA (State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance) certified. Music by: Winnie Y Su Trio Boricua Boleros, Merengues, Bachatas y mas.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

The Tea Time Speaker Series will be sponsored by: Gateway to College; President’s Office at Mount Wachusett Community College; Mount Wachusett Community College’s Leading for Change Diversity Consortium, The North Central Massachusetts Minority Coalition/Three Pyramids Inc.; Workforce Diversity Pipeline Program and is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health, and GEARUP Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.