Forty years ago this month, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to create a National Hispanic Heritage Week. Twenty years later, the observance was expanded to a full month of celebration and awareness. From September 15 through October 15, America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
To increase outreach efforts and public awareness of Hispanic Heritage Month, local events and programs have been scheduled including:
- Cincinnati's 15th Annual Hispanic Fest, held September 13th and 14th in the Hamilton County Fairgrounds
- A Hispanic Celebration on Fountain Square to kick-off the month-long calendar of events on September 15th during lunch-time
- Reds Hispanic Heritage Night at Great American Ball Park on September 20th
On this episode of Focus, CET, BRIDGES for a Just Community and The Cincinnati Enquirer have partnered to record the experiences of journalists Eileen Kelley and Carrie Cochran who have chronicled the recent struggles, sacrifices and successes of a quickly growing population of Hispanic Americans in Greater Cincinnati. Their series, "Our Hidden Communities," begins with the murder of four illegal immigrants in Sharonville, Ohio and follows the heartbreaking return of the men's bodies back to their hometown in Mexico. The remainder of the series is set to tackle illegal immigration issues that impact our diverse community. It is estimated that 50,000 illegal immigrants are working in Greater Cincinnati.
Guests:
Eileen Kelley, Journalist, The Cincinnati Enquirer
Carrie Cochran, Photo journalist, The Cincinnati Enquirer
Maria Molina, Manager, Latin American Consumer Relations, The Procter & Gamble Company, and BRIDGES Board Member
To view "Our Hidden Communities online:
For additional information about Hispanic Heritage Month, visit the Hispanic Heritage Month website. For more information on BRIDGES for a Just Community, visit that organization's website.
