Albuquerque, NM — Educators and staff from the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) will head to Santa Fe Tuesday, Feb. 14 to celebrate New Mexico’s legacy of Hispanic leadership and support the NHCC Foundation for Hispanic Culture Day. Join us for musical performances and educational activities from NHCC staff, along with a joint session featuring a special presentation from Dolores Huerta.
“Every day is a great opportunity to explore Hispanic culture, but this February 14 event provides a special moment to recognize the Hispanic leaders, both past and present, who have played an invaluable role in advancing awareness of our culture and addressing systemic inequities historically impacting Hispanic individuals in New Mexico and the nation.” said Noël Bella Merriam, NHCC artistic director and co-interim executive director. “This day is also a time to celebrate the unique beauty of our Hispanic culture expressed through our passion and dedication to the arts, our distinctive and delicious foodways, and our important contributions to the humanities.”
Hosted by the NHCC Foundation in conjunction with Speaker of the House Javier Martinez and Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla, Hispanic Culture Day will begin with a joint session of the New Mexico State Senate and the New Mexico House of Representatives in the House Chamber. Representative Henry “Kiki” Saavedra (posthumously) and Sen. Nancy Rodriguez will be recognized for their tremendous advocacy for and in support of Hispanic culture and communities.
The program will be capped off by a presentation from Keynote Speaker Dolores Huerta during the joint session. As co-founder of the United Farm Workers Association, Huerta is one of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century and a leader of the Chicano civil rights movement.
The joint session will be followed by a luncheon, presented by Mesa Del Sol owner Steve Chavez and the NHCC Foundation at the Inn and Spa at Loretto, a property of Heritage Hotels and Resorts. The luncheon will feature remarks from Sen. Nancy Rodriguez and NM Department of Cultural Affairs Cabinet Secretary Debra Garcia y Griego.
The NHCC will have several staffers present to share information about Hispanic arts and culture. NHCC Educator and Program Coordinator Elena Baca and Volunteer Coordinator Annette Lujan will be on hand to offer fun, NHCC-themed educational activities during the event. The event also features musical performances by Dr. Rosalia Pacheco, NHCC’s Education Program Manager, and her son Estevan Pacheco. Los Trinos, the musical duo of Jesus “Chuy” Martinez and Otilio Ruiz, will also be performing.
For more information on luncheon tickets or sponsorships, contact NHCC Foundation Director John Martinez at john@nhccfoundation.org or 505-383-4782.
More about the National Hispanic Cultural Center The National Hispanic Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of Hispanic culture, arts, and humanities. The NHCC presents mission-related events throughout the year, some produced by its history, literary, performing, and visual arts programs, and others by partnering with external organizations. Events take place at its 20-plus-acre campus, which includes a plaza, an art museum, a historically designated building, a library, and a genealogy center. The NHCC is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and is further supported by the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.
