Latino Leadership Network invites you to join us for the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month in-person celebration!

10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept 28 at Millersylvania State Park, 1224 Tilley Rd. Sw, Olympia, WA 98512.

Event Agenda

10:30 a.m.: Music from Rudy Romero

11 a.m.:      Opening remarks, welcome

11:10 a.m.: Correro Aereo performance

12:00 p.m.: Lunch (registered attendees receive a free lunch provided by LLN)

12:10 p.m.: Mariachi Ayutla performance

1 p.m.:        Keynote speaker Ana Maria Pinto da Silva

1 p.m.:        Aretes Huichol Workshop (registration required, click here to register).

1:35 p.m.:   Guest speaker State Representative Bill Ramos

2:20 p.m.:   La Nueva Novedad performance

3 p.m.:        Poetry Reading

3:35 p.m.:  Closing remarks, Rumba and Cha-Cha dance lesson

4 p.m.:        End of event

The festival features:

  • Musical performances by:

    • Correo Aereo: (Air Mail), pronounced, Core-ay-o Eye-air-e-o, is an award winning multi-instrumental and vocal Latin/World trio, performing traditional music from Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba and beyond, as well as their own original music. Correo Aereo combines a stunning array of string, reed, and percussive instruments with silken vocal harmonies described as “…locked in carnal embrace.” by the Austin Chronicle. Hailed for exciting musical virtuosity and profoundly moving performances through landscapes of Latin America, their music is both viscerally ancient and vibrantly contemporary. Abel Rocha sings & plays Venezuelan and Mexican harp, guitar, cuatro, quinta huapanguera and vocals. Madeleine Sosin offers voice, violins, maracas, bombo, jarana, quijada and vocals. Amy Denio, (Kulture Shock & The Tiptons), is on accordion, clarinet and vocals.  

      Correo Aereo’s music is richly polyrhythmic and soulfully melodic. Soaring, fiery, haunting and joyful. Gorgeous and intoxicating Latin/World music to decolonize your mind, celebrate life & free your soul! 

    • Mariachi Ayutla PNW: Mariachi Ayutla is an 11-member mariachi band. Mariachi Ayutla began in Chicago back in the year 2000 with eight musicians playing with different mariachi groups. Later, they moved to Washington estate to try new opportunities. Look for their newest album, "Mariachi Ayutla 5to Aniversario." 

    • La Nueva Novedad: La Nueva Novedad is a Mexican band based in the Seattle area. The group is made up of three high school students getting established in the music scene. They play two, twelve string guitars and a bass. Their repertoire includes various styles of regional Mexican music, such as clásicas, corridos, cumbias, zapateados, and corridos tumbados, bringing enjoyment to any event. 

  • Keynote speaker Ana Maria S.V. Pinto da Silva:

An accomplished designer, technologist and public speaker, MHCI+D Director Ana Pinto da Silva is committed to advancing the role designers, engineers and researchers play in the development of future-defining innovation. 

As CEO and founder of 2G3R, Ana’s work celebrates aging and longevity, delivering home and community solutions that help people of all ages and abilities thrive. Ana has led design innovation initiatives traversing healthcare, education, civics, shopping and productivity for Amazon, Microsoft, NBBJ, and is a lecturer and contributor to the Design Intelligence Leadership Institute.  

Inspired by the power of leadership through community, Ana is the founder of the Seattle Pecha Kucha speaker series, the founding co-chair of the Harvard GSD’s global Design Impact initiative, and serves on the board of directors for the Harvard GSD MDE program, the Harvard GSD Alumni Council, and Leadership Tomorrow. In addition to her role as Director of MHCI+D, Ana serves as Associate Teaching Professor for the University of Washington’s HCDE program. 

  • Guest speaker State Representative Bill Ramos:

Bill proudly represents the 5th Legislative District, which includes Black Diamond, Issaquah, Maple Valley, Renton, Sammamish, and Snoqualmie, and unincorporated areas in Auburn, Enumclaw, Covington, Fall City, Hobart, North Bend and Preston.

He grew up in East Oakland, where he saw first-hand the struggles students face when they do not have the resources they need to succeed. He attended Humboldt State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Forest Sciences, and later served with the US Forest Service in North Bend and Enumclaw as Director of Timber Management, Director of Recreation and Public Services, and Director of Ecosystem Management, where he led a team of biological and earth scientists doing environmental analysis of federal lands. 

  • Poetry Reading by Gabriella Gutierrez y Muhs:

Dr. Gutiérrez y Muhs is a poet, literary critic and professor in Modern Languages and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Seattle University. Gabriella is the author and editor of several poetry collections, books of literary criticism, first editor of Presumed Incompetent: The Intersections of Race and Class for Women in Academia, 2012, essays and opinion pieces and many other articles and loose poems, as well as her forthcoming memoir, Fresh as Lettuce, (Martillo Press). She received her MA and PhD from Stanford University. She has criss-crossed the nation giving keynote speeches and motivational talks, including the recent EKU Chautauqua keynote address: "(Inter)sectional (Inter)actions: Being Horizontal." 

She has also edited several anthologies and has been anthologized and published in multiple journals and anthologies like Cascadian Zen, As/Us: A Space for Women of the World, Bilingual Review: Revista Bilingüe, 25th Anniversary Issue, Quarry West Anthology, In Celebration of the Muse Anthology, Cruzando Puentes: Antología de Literatura Latina, Yellow Medicine Review, Puentes, Ventana Abierta, Camino Real,  Chicana/Latina Studies: The Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social, Diálogo: An Interdisciplinary Journal. Last year she co-edited In Xochitl, In Cuícatl, a bilingual poetry anthology of Chicanx/Latinx poetry, published in 2021 in Madrid, Spain, (includes more than 60 poets) and another multigenre Latinx women’s anthology Indomitable/Indomables, forthcoming, with San Diego State University Press. Her latest collection How Many Indians Can We Be? ¿Cuántos indios podemos ser? was  published with Flowersong Press in 2022.  

  • Aretes Huichol Workshop with Jailyn Becerra:

Jailyn Becerra is a self-taught Mexican beadwork artist based in Tri-Cities, Washington. Her journey learning and teaching Mexican beadwork began two years ago at the age of 18. She is inspired by the countless pairs of detailed Huichol earrings gifted to her by her father. The artistry and beauty of Mexican beadwork and the connection to her cultural heritage inspire her to share the tradition with others.

During this one-session workshop, students will learn about Huichol beading while creating one pair of beautiful earrings to take home. This workshop is offered in partnership with Arbutus Folk School. 

Fee: $10.00 Student Age: 14+ Max Class Size: 15 Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Registration required, register here. 

  • Rumba and Cha-Cha lesson with Rudy Romero:

Rudy Romero is originally from Albuquerque, NM and has been teaching various forms of dance for nearly 20 years. He prides himself in teaching carefully crafted instruction and is always willing to take the extra time to help students connect to concepts. Along with producing a internet radio show and helping organize dance events, Rudy is currently studying computer programming at the Evergreen State College. 

  • Free lunch: Registered attendees are invited to enjoy a free lunch at 12 p.m. featuring foods from local Latino-owned businesses. Lunch will include omnivore, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

BRG members and the general public are welcome to join this celebration of our Latine cultural heritage.

Register by Sept. 25 to attend in person: https://forms.office.com/g/nt2U7znTJF 

For more information about the event: https://parks.wa.gov/find-activity/event-calendar/2024/sep/hispanic-heritage-month-celebration. 

Call for volunteers!

Volunteers are still needed to help make our event possible. Your time and effort can create a meaningful impact! Whether you can contribute an hour or more, your help is invaluable and deeply appreciated.

Volunteers are needed for:

  • Event set up

  • Sign-in table tasks

  • Hosting loteria games

  • Serving food and beverages

  • Event tear-down

If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to the LLN team at lln@ofm.wa.gov. Please use subject line "HHM volunteer."

"I am like a drop of water on a rock. After drip, drip, dripping in the same place, I begin to leave a mark, and leave my mark in many people's hearts." - Rigoberta Menchu, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights advocate. 

Interested in hosting an Outreach Booth?

We welcome Washington State agencies and non-profit organizations to engage with visitors during this event. As space is limited, outreach booths are available by pre-registration on a first come, first served basis. 

Representatives are invited to share information about their agency, recruitment opportunities and to connect with a wider Latine perspective.

If you organization would like to staff an outreach booth, please fill out this inquiry form by 5 p.m. on Sept. 20. You will be notified if space is available for your organization.

Celebrate Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month!

Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month occurs annually from Sept. 15 – Oct. 15. It is a month-long celebration of Latine/a/o/x and Hispanic history, culture and experiences. This month provides an opportunity to explore the incredible impact that our community has had on the United States and to take deep dives into U.S. Latine history.

Latine and Hispanic history is American history. With our history comes beautiful firsts: the first Latina Supreme Court Justice (Sonia Sotomayor), the first Latino rock-and-roll star (Ritchie Valens), and youngest person and first woman to be named chief scientist at NASA (France Cordova). We have also had civil rights leaders like: Sylvia Rivera, Dolores Huerta, and Sylvia Mendez.

Equally important, are our stories of oppression, prejudice and injustice, which are often overlooked during this month. Moments in time like the Zoot Suit Riots, La Matanza of 1915, and the 1917 Bath Riots, to name a few, are worth noting to the same extent as our successes. This history demonstrates our community’s resilience and a need for positive change that we all should continue to work towards together.

As the Latino Leadership Network and the greater Latine community engage in conversations about language, as it pertains to naming this month and our collective identity, we will use terms along the lines of, “Hispanic Heritage Month,” “Latino Heritage Month,” and “Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month.” The Latino Leadership Network strives to create a space where further discussion on our collective identity can take place and will be looking forward to fostering future discussion on this topic.

We encourage all to join us at our upcoming events, learn more about Latine history, engage and listen to thought-provoking discussions, and to celebrate mindfully. Please view this document for some key things to avoid during Hispanic Heritage month.

“The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace.” – Carlos Santana

More resources:

Other opportunities to celebrate HHM!

Virtual Lunch and Learns Events: All sessions begin at 12 p.m.

Earn SmartHealth points by attending Lunch and Learn events!

Look for "Understanding your loved one's brain" activities in SmartHealth. Find them in the "Activities and Resources" area under featured activities. You can earn 50 SmartHealth points for each activity.

  • Review Accessing SmartHealth for step-by-step log on instructions.

  • Sign up to receive LLN newsletters. 

  • Email LLN if you have questions. 

 

About the Latino Leadership Network

Through the power of Connection: Invest, Inspire, and Serve

The Latino Leadership Network (LLN) is a resource group for people working in Washington State government. We are Latinos and allies working to build, connect, and inspire our peers and people seeking to join public service. We are driven to prepare outstanding Latino leaders and a qualified workforce that will serve our state today and tomorrow.

See our membership flyer

 

Our Vision

Connecting and inspiring Washington State’s Latino workforce and leaders of today and tomorrow.

Our Values

  • Leadership

  • Respect

  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion

  • Excellence

  • Innovation

  • Public service

  • Professionalism

  • Legacy and heritage

What we do

  • Networking

  • Promote professional development

  • Encourage leadership opportunities

  • Practice diversity and inclusion skills

  • Promote cultural connection and awareness

  • Celebrate our culture

  • Be catalysts for change

  • Be ambassadors at our agencies and communities

Get involved!

If you’re interested in subscribing to LLN’s newsletter sign up here.

Join our General Membership Meeting! Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024

Join us for our next general membership meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 3-5 pm.

Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 834 7473 6547 | Passcode: 953455 | Phone Number: 253-215-8782.

2024 LLN General Meeting calendar invite download. 

 

In Other News

Level Up with a Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certification! 

The Latino Leadership Network is thrilled to offer an exclusive opportunity: a FREE Virtual Lean Six Sigma White Belt class for our amazing LLN members and open to other business resource group members! That's a cool $200 savings per student! ASL interpretation will be provided as part of our commitment to providing accessible events and training opportunities. 

When: Oct. 28, 2024 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Hosted by: Noemi LaChapelle @ The Bright Side Group

Don’t miss out—secure your spot now and take your skills to the next level!

Register now to grab your spot!

Professional Development & Inclusion Survey

The Latino Leadership Network’s Best Practices subcommittee created the Professional Development and Inclusion survey to better understand the work experiences of Latino state employees. The subcommittee conducted LLN’s first statewide survey of Latino state employees in 2020 and to establish a baseline of data for future research.

Report Executive Summary

Full Report

Connect with SOVEREIGN!

SOVEREIGN is the newest Business Resource Group.

SOVERIGN means: Supporting our Voices, Empowering Rights and Indigenous Governance.

You can be added to SOVEREIGN's distribution list by scanning the QR code or emailing them at soverign@ofm.wa.gov. 

Dates to remember:

  • Oct. 15 and 16: Office of Equity Convening - SOVEREIGN's official launch Date.

  • Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: SOVEREIGN's quarterly meeting. They look forward to seeing you there!

DSHS Leadership Development Program Survey

If you are an immigrant and in state government, DSHS wants to hear from you! The DSHS Leadership Development program would like to better understand the challenges and biases faced by immigrant state employees in the workplace. Their goal is to help leaders understand challenges faced by the immigrant community as they attempt to secure stable state jobs and identify effective ways to retain and promote them once they are hired. If you are a first (individuals born outside of the United States)-or second-generation (individuals born in the United States to parents who were born abroad) immigrant currently or previously employed in a state government job, kindly take a few minutes to complete this short survey (approximately 5-10 minutes). 

Participation in this survey is voluntary. Your input will be completely anonymous and is crucial to the program. 

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Contact information

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