Latinx Heritage Month
Opening CeremonyBlessing: Madelein SantibanezMusic: Roger Velasquez & The Latin LegendzThursday, Sept. 14 Join us as we kick off our Latinx Heritage Month Celebration! Get ready to savor the flavors and celebrate the culture with this fun-filled kick off event. Artist and Speaker Bios
Madelein SantibanezMadelein Santibanez (she/her/they/them) is a veteran community organizer, educator, and culture bearer of Purépecha ancestry with Kalpulli Ayolopaktzin. She has over ten years experience developing and implementing cultural rites of passage, teen pregnancy prevention, and youth empowerment programming in Central Texas. She currently holds a Director position at Corazon Ministries, leading innovative harm reduction practices in Central Texas, and holds a BS in Mathematics from Texas A&M - San Antonio. They serve on the board of the Southwest Workers Union, Yanawana Herbolarios, and the Climate Justice Alliance. Her leadership as part of De Corazon Circles is rooted in her dedication to the preservation of Indigenous epistemologies and the revitalization of generational resilience. Roger Velasquez & The Latin LegendsIn March of 2018 San Antonio independent record label VDiscos released Roger Velasquez and The Latin Legendz Tex Mex Funk. In September 2018 Roger Velasquez and The Latin Legendz Tex Mex Funk is recognized by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and nominated for the 19th Annual Latin Grammy for Best Tejano Album. On November 15, 2018 Roger Velasquez & The Latin Legendz Tex Mex Funk receives the highest honor on THE BIGGEST NIGHT IN LATIN MUSIC by winning the Latin GRAMMY for Best Tejano Album at the Mandalay Bay Event Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. During his acceptance speech, front man Roger Velasquez talked about his time in the industry, “We have been in Tejano Music for many years; this is a dream come true for me.” Roger and the Latin Legendz were honored at 9am the morning of December 13, 2018 in San Antonio City Council Chambers. And later that evening, in Austin, TX the Latin Grammy Winners were special guests of honor at the Recording Academy Texas Chapter Annual Celebration at the Gibson Showroom 3601 S. Congress. |
Gallery100 Exhibit: Featuring Juan RamosThursday, Sept. 14 – Thursday, Oct. 12 Join us for a Gallery100 Exhibit featuring Juan Miguel Ramos, a true product of San Antonio’s art education. Working primarily in digital prints, Ramos makes socio-political artwork incorporating elements from various graphic and photographic styles. Much of his work focuses on telling the stories of Latinx populations in the San Antonio area and reflecting on their roles within the region. Artist Bio
Juan RamosAmerican, born in San Antonio, Texas, 1971 Juan Miguel Ramos is truly a product of San Antonio’s art education. He began his training at the age of eight, when he attended the Southwest School of Arts and Crafts. Subsequently, Ramos studied art at the San Antonio Art Institute and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio, eventually earning a BFA and MFA from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Ramos is a cofounder of San Anto Cultural Arts (SACA), a nonprofit community resource for artistic and spiritual growth. From 2001 to 2007, he was an adjunct art instructor at UTSA as well as at Northwest Vista College and Palo Alto College, both in San Antonio. During Fall 2002, Ramos fulfilled an Artpace artist’s residency in San Antonio. His works often use photography, Sharpie drawings, text, and video to challenge identity stereotypes in a post-Chicano culture. Ramos has shown internationally and in solo exhibitions, which include the Holter Museum in Montana, Luckman Center Gallery in Los Angeles, Soo Visual Arts in Minneapolis, and Museo Alameda of San Antonio, Texas. His work is in the permanent collections of the Dallas Museum of Art, McNay Art Museum, New Museum in New York, Joe A. Diaz, Albuquerque Museum, Ruby City Art Museum and the San Antonio Museum of Art. His work was also selected for the Trienal Poli/Gráfica de San Juan 2004, Altoids Curiously Strong Collection in 2005, Xicanx: Dreamers + Changemakers at Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia 2022 and most recently, Cultivating Community Through Art: Sam Coronado Serie Project 2022. In 2023, his work was on display at Ruby City Art Museum for Tangible|Nothing. His most recent work was a solo show titled “Secret City Series 2023” exhibited at Un Grito Gallery. He has been featured in Glasstire and e-flux, and his most recent article is Sala Stories, Part Six, written for Glasstire in October, 2021. Ramos is also a professional musician who has toured around the country. Juan Miguel Ramos currently teaches art at Bihl Haus Art Gallery in San Antonio, TX. |
Ozuna Library ExhibitVaquero: Genesis of the Texas CowboyFriday, Sept. 15 – Friday, Oct. 13 The Ozuna Library proudly presents the Vaquero: Genesis of the Texas Cowboy exhibit from Humanities Texas. The exhibit features photographs and bilingual narrative text depicting the Mexican vaquero traditions and culture. Learn more |
Exclusive Ballet Folklórico PerformanceFeaturing Ballet Folklórico Plateros, Mariachi Juvenil Corazon de Plata, y Tamborazo el GuayabazoMonday, Sept. 18 In honor of Latinx Heritage Month, we invite you to a vibrant and captivating Ballet Folklórico performance, exclusive and FREE for the Alamo Colleges District community. Direct from Zacatecas, Mexico, these talented groups will take you on a cultural journey through music and dance. Join us for paletas and elotes after the performance! |
Empowering Latinx Voices in STEM: A keynote address by Dr. Paloma VargasTuesday, Sept. 19 Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Paloma Vargas about her noteworthy achievements and experiences in the STEM field. Speaker Bio
Dr. Paloma VargasDr. Paloma Vargas is the Dean of Mathematics, Science, Health Education, Kinesiology, and Athletics at Oxnard College, a 2-year public Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). As Dean, Dr. Vargas works with administration, faculty, and staff to determine best practices in serving a diverse student population. Dr. Vargas received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College (HSIs) and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Medical and Molecular Parasitology from The Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at New York University. Her graduate and post-doctoral work focused on host-pathogen interactions of both parasitic amoeba (E. histolytica) and Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaire’s Disease. Dr. Vargas previously served as a biology faculty member, researcher, HSI Director, Science Coordinator, and STEM Advisor at private and public institutions. Dr. Vargas has extensive experience in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work. Her focus has been dismantling policies that negatively affect Black, Latinx, and Native American/Indigenous students in higher education. She has served as a facilitator and trainer for faculty in DEI work focusing on Hispanic-Serving Institutions, is an anti-racist in training, and centers equity in her work. Dr. Vargas is an active member of the Aspiring Radical Leaders Institute, the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Latinos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), and serves as President of the Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institute Educators (AHSIE). |
Keynote Speaker: Jesse BorregoWednesday, Sept. 20 Hear from our keynote speaker, Jesse Borrego, actor, singer, and dancer from the original FAME TV series—star of the classic Latino film Blood In Blood Out. He's also appeared in Dexter, 24, Vida, Con Air, Colombiana, and Fear The Walking Dead. Speaker Bios
Jesse BorregoJesse Borrego is a veteran of stage, screen, and television. Joining the cast of the Hit TV Series FAME in 1984 with Debbie Allen and Janet Jackson, he went on to star in several memorable films, including NY Stories directed by Martin Scorsese, Con Air with John Malkovich and Nicholas Cage, I Like It Like That with Lauren Velez and Lisa Vidal, Colombiana with Zoe Saldana, Lone Star with Chris Cooper and Elizabeth Pena, and TECUMSEH: THE LAST WARRIOR for TNT. In 1994, he starred in the Hollywood Pictures classic BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT (recently nominated for Registry in the National Library of Congress) starring Benjamin Bratt, a collaboration that would last through two more films at Sundance Film Festival, FOLLOW ME HOME starring Alfre Woodard and LA MISSION both directed by Peter Bratt. Over 100 episodes of television, including 24, DEXTER, VIDA, and FEAR THE WALKING DEAD. Currently, he can be seen in the comedy PHOENIX OREGON starring James LeGros, Diedrich Bader, and Lisa Edelstein, and the release of FOLLOW ME HOME The Directors Cut. In 2019, he was back on stage with the FAME cast in FAME REUNION UK in Liverpool, with a planned release of the Musical Performances later this year. In 2021, he became a Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a voting member at the Oscars. As a member of the Advisory Council of Radio, TV, and Film at San Antonio College, he has helped initiate a Certification in Film Production. And continues to support the local Arts and Culture of San Antonio. He also serves on the Board of the SA Philharmonic and the American Indians of Texas. His non-profit Cine-Studios SA is a culmination of Creative and Professional experience focused on sharing stories and knowledge for the greater Cultural Community.
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Panel/Plática: A Collection of Inspiring Mentor StoriesTuesday, Sept. 26 Join us as we speak with the author of Catching Dreams: A Collection of Inspiring Mentor Stories. This panel will feature one mentor from the book and students from Palo Alto College. About the book: Where will your dreams and goals take you? This is a collection of inspiring and heartwarming mentor stories. A group of courageous individuals who overcame insurmountable obstacles and dared to dream beyond poverty and setbacks. Proving that with perseverance, and education, anything is possible. Panelists include:
Speaker Bios
Araceli ManriquezAracely is a middle school dual-language teacher for San Antonio ISD. She currently teaches dual-language social studies and reading. She initiated a Mexican-American Studies class for the middle school where she teaches. She also aided in creating a MAS summer camp (MASLI) on her campus for middle and high school students in her district. Araceli is an active member of the teachers' union, the San Antonio Alliance, and writes curriculum for her district. She has also worked with authors such as Carmen Tafolla and Diana Lopez to create curriculum for their books. Araceli received her double major B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies Bilingual EC-6 and Mexican-American Studies from UTSA and her Master's degree in Bilingual-Bicultural Studies. She feels blessed for all the opportunities ethnic studies has brought to her and to continue to grow in leadership, organizing, advocacy, curriculum and professional development, and activism.
Diane LermaDiane Lerma recently retired as an Assistant Professor in the Behavioral Sciences Department at Palo Alto College in San Antonio, Texas. She authored Catching Dreams: A Collection of Inspiring Mentor Stories (2013). Additionally, Diane has published numerous book reviews and research articles. She received the Yellow Rose of Texas Educator Award and NISOD Award for Teaching Excellence. Mrs. Lerma earned her Master Teacher certification in May 2018. She and her husband, David, have two grown sons. Her interests include reading, writing, and traveling. |
Keynote Speaker: Judie Garcia
Wednesday, Oct. 4 Judie Garcia is a former Chicago news anchor and reporter for WGN-TV. Speaker Bio
Judie GarciaJudie Garcia was born in Chicago to Mexican-American parents. She graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Her broadcasting career began at age 34 after working as a paralegal in international law for many years. Her first television job was at KMOL-TV (now WOAI-TV), the NBC affiliate in San Antonio, Texas. Later, she worked at KNTV in San Jose, California, as the news anchor for the 11:00 p.m. newscast. Ms. Garcia joined ABC-7 News in Chicago, where she worked as an anchor and reporter. In 2003, she worked and is now retired from WGN-TV in Chicago. |
Poetry Slam & Open Mic
Thursday, Oct. 5 If you're a fan of poetry, we've got an event that's just for you! You'll get to share your own work on the mic and read it out loud. The best part? It's open to everyone - students, staff, and faculty alike. Can't wait to see you there! To sign up, please contact Magdalena Yznaga at myznaga1@alamo.edu. There will be an opportunity to sign up in person. |
Indigenous Peoples' Day/Día de la RazaPanel/Plática: Discussion on Missing and Murdered Relatives MovementMonday, Oct. 911 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Student Center Annex Join us for part two of our discussion on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement (MMIW). However, this year, we will focus on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR). This movement calls for the end of violence endured by Native American families. National statistics show Indigenous women and girls are murdered ten times more than all ethnicities. This panel will discuss the MMIR movement and historical and current policies that affect the Native American community. Panelists:
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Palo Alto College Book Discussion Crossing Borders, My Journey in Music
Wednesday, Oct. 11 12-1:30 p.m. Ozuna Library & Learning Center (room 217) Join us for Palo Alto College's first book club during Latinx Heritage Month 2023. The book discussion will be open to students, faculty, staff, and community. Students can reserve their spot and a book copy online at AlamoEXPERIENCE. Faculty and staff can contact Cynthia Sanchez at csanchez@alamo.edu for more information. |
Gallery100 Exhibit: Closing Reception for Juan RamosThursday, Oct. 12 Join us for a closing reception of our Gallery100 Exhibit with renowned San Antonio Artist Juan Ramos. |
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. |
For information, please contact us. Phone: (210) 486-3044 Email: myznaga1@alamo.edu |
A special thanks to: Center for Mexican American Studies, Student Life, PAC Working Writers Series, PAC STEM Center, and Student Activities Fee. |