Hispanic Latino Heritage Month kicks off Sept. 8

The annual Hispanic Latino Heritage celebration at Virginia Tech kicks off Friday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. with a concert by Bio Ritmo Salsa Band. The concert is free and open to the public.

This year’s keynote speaker is award-winning journalist and author Maria Hinojosa, managing editor and host of the NPR show, "Latino USA". In addition to hosting this weekly program, Hinojosa is the senior correspondent for the Emmy Award-winning PBS newsmagazine "NOW." Her presentation here will address the 2006 theme of this year's Hispanic Latino Heritage Celebration--"A Latino Legacy without Borders"--specifically as it relates to issues surrounding immigration.

Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, is an annual cultural celebration at Virginia Tech. The purpose of the celebration is to acknowledge the presence of Hispanic-Latino people and communities; provide an opportunity through which all Virginia Tech community members can celebrate the contributions of a Hispanic-Latino community and examine critical issues; and facilitate increased cultural awareness and respect.

In addition to these major events, the celebration will include food festivals, a film series, discussions, speakers, workshops, and much more. For a full list of Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month activities, visit the Multicultural Programs website or call (540) 231-8584

Multicultural Programs and Services exists to assist Virginia Tech in creating a welcoming environment that affirms and celebrates the diversity of its community particularly those from underrepresented and historically marginalized populations. Guided by the Principles of Community and the concern for the holistic development of all students, MPS provides opportunities for dialogue across differences, student leadership training, cultural celebrations, mentoring, organization advising, faculty interaction, diversity training and community building.