Camden County has joined the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with activities that showcase the talents and the vital role of Hispanic and Latinx communities.
One of the highlights of the month was the 25th Annual Prominent Hispanic Awards, hosted on Sept. 16 by the Camden County Board of Commissioners. The event featured a concert by the Edgardo Cintron & Mambo Magic Band. The awards recognize outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the Hispanic community and inspire future leaders.
Hispanic Heritage Month began on Sept. 15 and continues through Oct. 15, a stretch of time dedicated to celebrating the rich histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors hail from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Its origins can be traced back to 1968, when President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed Hispanic Heritage Week. The week coincided with significant dates for several Latin American countries and their independence celebrations. President Ronald Reagan expanded the observance to a full month in 1988, and that period was officially recognized by President George H. W. Bush in 1989.
Sept. 15 as the starting point for Hispanic Heritage Month is meaningful; it marks the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores, which took place in the early hours of Sept. 16, 1810, and is considered the catalyst for the Mexican war of independence, as well as eventual independence in Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Throughout the month, other dates commemorated in the Hispanic community include Mexico’s declaration of independence on Sept. 16 and Chile’s on Sept. 18. The month also encompasses Columbus Day – or Día de la Raza – on Oct. 12.
Kakliah Bruce, a middle-school teacher at Veterans Memorial Middle School in Camden, emphasized the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month in her classroom.
“I encourage my students to embrace Hispanic Heritage Month, because it’s a celebration of culture, history and the incredible contributions of Hispanic communities,” she noted. “Learning about this heritage helps us understand our shared history and inspires a future where we all grow stronger together.”
Other county events during the month included Gloucester Township’s Hojalata Tin Art workshop on Sept. 19, an event for participants ages 9 to 17 to learn the traditional Mexican folk art of embossing and scoring tin to create intricate designs. Presented at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, the interactive experience allowed attendees to explore the rich history of Mexican art.
Mayor Mignogna of Voorhees remarked, “I’ve always believed that the diversity of our community is one of our greatest strengths. In Voorhees, we embrace and celebrate our differences, working toward a future where those differences no longer divide us.”
The county will host two free events in October. Civil rights activist Sylvia Mendez will speak on Thursday, Oct. 13, at Rutgers-Camden’s Division of Diversity, Inclusion and Civic Engagement (DICE), part of the month’s speaker series. Register for the 12:45 event on the DICE event page.
The Latino Students Association will host Latino Taste, a buffet showcasing multicultural flavors, at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, in the multi-purpose room on Rutgers’ campus.
Gloucester Township’s mayor and council – as well as area schools – have also taken steps to honor outstanding Latino members of the community during the month. For more, visit the township website.
