Michigan State University
Jose Angel Gutierrez is a name known by many but yet unknown by plenty. Courtesy of the Julian Samora Research Institute Symposium, Mr. Gutierrez told of his thoughts on organizing and building coalitions. He brought up the “famed “Four Horsemen” from the Poor Peoples Campaign stared in 1968. The four being Cesar E. Chavez, Reis Tijerina, Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales, and himself. All were known to build or attempt to build coalitions, although they took different paths and had different targets. Esmeralda Perez Gonzalez called him “Royalty”. I would have to agree and for all those books that many of us have read on Chicano History, it was a great evening to be able to ask someone from the 60’s what it was like?
Wikipedia: Jose Angel Guiterrez who is an attorney and professor at the University of Texas at Arlington in the United States. He was a founding member of the Mexican American Youth Organization in San Antonio in 1967, and a founding member and past president of the Raza Unida Party, a Mexican-American third party movement that supported candidates for elective office in Texas, California, and other areas of the Southwestern and Midwestern United States.
Established in 1989, JSRI is the premier Latino research institute in the Midwest with a history of research on Latino communities, farmworkers and their families, farmers, and youth. It is highly regarded in Latino communities in Michigan and across the region and the country. Its mission is the generation, dissemination and application of knowledge to serve the needs of Latino communities in the Midwest and across the nation, with emphases on health disparities, entrepreneurship, and service delivery system gaps.
RESEARCH AND OUTREACH
The Institute has current research/outreach initiatives targeting the needs of the Hispanic community in the areas of economic development, education, and families and neighborhoods. A database is also being developed to serve as a resource on and for Hispanics. JSRI has organized a number of publication initiatives to facilitate the timely dissemination of current research and information relevant to Latinos.
JULIAN SAMORA WORKING PAPERS SERIES was initiated in 1989 to provide a mechanism for the systematic dissemination of public policy-oriented research on issues affecting Latinos in both the United States as a whole and the Midwest in particular. The series publishes reports of empirical studies, theoretical analyses, and policy discussions that address the changing role of Latinos in relation to economic, political, religious, educational, and social institutions.
JULIAN SAMORA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OCCASIONAL PAPERS SERIES features policy-oriented papers presented at Michigan State University by scholars in the area of Latino issues.
The INSTITUTE RESEARCH REPORTS SERIES publishes monograph length reports of original empirical research on Latinos in the Midwest conducted by the Institute’s research associates and funded by grants to the Institute.
http://<a href=”https://jsri.msu.edu/” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”></a>
Once again Latin America journeyed into Tejano Music by bringing in the band Motivo from Toledo, Ohio. Playing on a night that was billed as a “family friendly” baile (dance), Motivo provided some great music for a crowd that came in from Caledonia, Grand Rapids and even Holland. Just like in 2014 when Tejano music was highlighted, Aldaco’s Taco Bar catered with a taco bar at the start and Diego Rivera played the role of emcee and guest speaker.
Diego would soon turn in his emcee microphone and add some of his own musical talents on a few numbers with Motivo. A world-class musician, composer, arranger and educator, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 15 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead mainstream jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage. His debut recording, Hercules was released in 2006 on his own record label, Rivera Records. His latest CD project, The Contender (D-Clef Records 2013) received national critical-acclaim reaching #8 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts.
Motivo, established in February of 2016, released their first album “Nacimiento Motivado” digitally (online) available in most popular digital media sites: iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Spotify, etc… or you can purchase a physical copy on their website.
Much thanks to Mark Sullivan from the Michigan State University’s College of Music. Mark along with several committee members work together to present the sixth annual Latin IS America series March 25 – April 17. Latin IS America demonstrates the blending of Latin American and U.S. cultures by featuring music from Haitian drumming to salsa dancing and from an audiovisual experience to classical strings.
For more information on Motivo: Motivo
For more information on Diego Rivera: Diego Rivera
For more information on Latin IS America:Latin IS American
Long Time Chicano Activist Jose Angel Gutierrez To Speak At Julian Samora Research Institute Symposium Series
Jose Angel Gutiérrez will be the guest speaker Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at the Kellogg Center which is located on the campus of Michigan State University. The Julian Samora Research Institute will host Dr. Gutiérrez under the topic of ” Chicano Leadership at the Poor People’s Campaign: May 12 – June 24, 1968″. This is a free event and is open to the public.
José Angel Gutiérrez, is an attorney and professor at the University of Texas at Arlington in the United States. He was a founding member of the Mexican American Youth Organization in San Antonio in 1967, and a founding member and past president of the Raza Unida Party, a Mexican-American third party movement that supported candidates for elective office in Texas, California, and other areas of the Southwestern and Midwestern United States- Wikipedia
The 25th Annual Dia de la Mujer (DDLM) took place Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Kellogg Center which is located on the campus of Michigan State University. The Keynote Speaker was the Peggy Robles-Alvarado who comes by way of the Bronx in New York. Anything I choose to write here would be understating the struggles and bruises she endured growing up. It could never tell the true tale of her thoughts, feelings and emotions of the many lows in her life as well as the many successes she achieved. Peggy gave a riveting talk on what life was like as a teen mom labeled many names as you could imagine. Incorporating poetry along with a forceful tone of positivity and high self esteem, she managed to lift a room full of about 550 people high enough to almost look down at the clouds. Peggy Robles-Alvarado today is a tenured New York City educator with graduate degrees in elementary and bilingual education. She is the author of 4 books and has many of her poetry works included elsewhere. But clearly her passion lies in writing her story, inspiring others to tell their story and most importantly empowering everyone to have their story heard.
DDLM was Blessed to have Maria Zavala who is the founder of DDLM. She presented the Maria Zavala Award to Leslie D. Gonzales who is an Associate Professor at Michigan State University. Quoted from the Official DDLM Program “Leslie is deeply committed to ensuring that minoritized and marginalized students have access to higher education”.
The history of DDLM goes back to Maria Zavala. As a Chicana student and activist had the vision to want to establish an event that celebrates Latinas for their roles in the community. Whether it be at school, home or professionally, she wanted one day where the accomplishments of women were recognized. At one time in the early days of DDLM, there were over 1000 participants according to some of the early goers. Its a more manageable 500-550 people each and every year who attend workshops, enjoy networking, a meal and entertainment. The vendors seem to be adding more and more value to the conference each year.
The Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) is the office in which the Dia de la Mujer Conference operates from. It is considered the largest Latina conference of its kind in the Midwest. If you would like more information on how to help with the planning, become apart of their mailing list, become a vendor or sponsor at this event in 2019, please contact DDLM Coordinator Michael A. Suarez at suarezmi@msu.edu or call the office at 517-353-7745.
For more information on Peggy Robles-Alvarado please go to her website : http://robleswrites.com/
For a description of her books and to purchase them: http://robleswrites.com/books.html
It is almost that time of year when we host our annual LatinXplosion and celebrate the talent that we have in our community. This year we will be traveling around to Latin American countries. It will be on April 7th, 2018 at the Kellogg Conference Center. Doors open at 6:00 pm and the show extravaganza starts at 6:30. SEE YOU THERE!
***FIRST 50 PEOPLE GET A FREE SHIRT!***
What happens when you combine Lansing’s very own Tejano Sound Band (TSB), the Latin IS America group, the Michigan State University College of Music, the Chicano Latino Studies Department, Mark Sullivan, Veronica Reyes and then sprinkle in local favorite Aldaco’s Taco Bar food? You get an evening full of information, candid conversation between a panel discussing the health of Tejano Music, some great food by Aldaco’s, and the Tejano Sound Band along with well known saxophone player Diego Rivera joining in. Saturday, April 19, 2014, in front of about 75 people in a building with a capacity of 400, don’t let the photos fool you. There was plenty to discuss when the panel, which consisted of Rolando Revilla, Sheila Contreras, Johnny Vasquez, Baldemar Velasquez and Diego Rivera shared their ideas of Tejano Music past and present. As the panel finished, Aldaco’s set up as people continued to stream in. After all, no one likes to be the first one to a dance right? Their pulled pork was great and everything was freshly prepared. Definitely a treat to enjoy the baile and get fed by one of Lansing’s most popular restaurants. Santos Gutierrez even provided dance lessons right before TSB started and several folks took advantage of this. With about 175 people in attendance, Tejano Sound Band and Diego Rivera started playing and it was obvious that the extra room that MSU provided came in handy. With no alcohol allowed, there were several kids under 10 years old on the dance floor. No one complained about the no alcohol rule as most people were enjoying the music and with the added sounds of Diego Rivera and friends, it was a fun night the way los bailes were always intended to be. In this day and age of dwindling spots for Tejano Music in the Lansing area, it was refreshing to see such a family friendly venue for all to enjoy. Much props go to Mark Sullivan and Ricardo Lorenz for pushing forward with the “Latin IS America” Series and including Tejano Music in this years 10 day Fest. Although I mention about one night, there were a total of 6 nights which brought in different talents showcasing many different types of artists. Latin IS America strengthens the perspective that Latin American and U.S. cultures are increasingly intertwined, and examines arts and cultural connections through this event series. Definitely something to remember as they look forward to the 2015 Series. To keep informed on the 2015 Latin IS America Series please go to: https://www.facebook.com/MSUlatinisamerica For more information on the Chicano Latino Studies Department at Michigan State University: https://www.msu.edu/~cls/ Aldaco’s Taco Bar can be found at: http://www.aldacosauthenticmexican.com/
15 Photos · Updated 4 years ago
WKAR routinely holds what they call “Community Cinema” outside of their MSU Studio and decided to show a free preview of the film “Las Marthas” at Cristo Rey Church. Las Marthas dates back to the aftermath of the U.S.-Mexico War, the annual debutante ball in Laredo, Texas. Las Marthas follows two Mexican-American girls carrying this gilded tradition on their young shoulders during a time of economic uncertainty and political tension over immigration. After about 30 minutes of watching the film, Mary Delgado and Veronica Madrid served as panelists to offer thoughts and answer questions from the 25 people in attendance. Also during the discussion, Cristo Rey Church member Veronica Garza displayed her dress and reflected on her very own Quinceanera and what it meant to her going forward in life. Although the film had nothing to do with Quinceanera’s as most of us watching had previously thought, it was interesting as it went thru the preparation of two young ladies who did not know each other and they appear to share openly what they went thru to get to that day. Many in attendance never heard of Las Marthas, but with over 100 years of tradition and with the average cost of one dress estimated at $15,000, can you imagine the stress they went thru to get everything right? Some clips from the film can be seen at: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/las-marthas/ Las Marthas airs tonight, Monday, Feb. 17, 10 p.m. on WKAR-TV/PBS. Also, it will be available online at some point and if you check back to this same posting, I will try to embed it here. You can also go to the following link to access the film in its entirety (when available) as well as several other films that PBS has broadcast. http://video.pbs.org/program/independent-lens/
5th Annual Latinos2College Day at MSU
The 5th Annual Latinos2College Day was by all accounts a huge success! With about 150 students in attendance, Latinos2College Day was hosted by Michigan State University on Friday, November 22, 2014. This years version of Latinos2College Day was coordinated by Chicano/Latino Studies Program Director Dr. Sheila Contreras and several of her grad students from the CLS Program. Dr. Contreras kept the day moving by highlighting different departments on Campus like MSU Admissions and Financial Assistant Director Lucinda Briones; Diann Cosme who is the Associate Director for MSU Student Services and Outreach; and Leo Savala, Director of Undergraduate Diversity MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and also for Summer Pre-College Planning.Professor Miguel Cabanas from the Department of Romance and Classical Studies, gave students a taste of a college course by giving them “Latino/Americans in Popular Culture: Narcoculture in Music and Telenovelas, A Short Introduction.” While some of the students admitted it was hard to sit there and listen to the lecture, they admitted it was good to see what they would be facing once they enter college. Definitely an eye opener for many of these High School students!
Following lunch at the student favorite Brody Cafe, Dr. Contreras brought in a late surprise guest in the form of Professor Diego Rivera who teaches Jazz Studies at MSU in the Music Department. Before a question and answer session, Mr. Rivera treated the students to a wonderful Jazz concert as three undergrad students from the Jazz Program backed him up. Professionally, Mr. Rivera’s latest album hit 8th on the “Jazz Week” Chart in the country.
Much props to Dr. Sheila Contreras for taking the lead on Latinos2College Day, her grad students Erin Alvarez, Christian Ramirez, Jose Martinez and Sam Saldivar III; Linda Sanchez-Gazella who coordinated the Lansing School District side; and Paulo Gordillo who has supported this event since the beginning. As the author of Cafecito and the person who planted the seed for Latinos2College Day a few years ago, words really can’t express my appreciation for all who played a role in making all of this happen. Much love and respect to you all~ Sein Paul Benavides