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Statewide News

Lansing Common FC Release 2026 Schedule

by seinpaul65 March 3, 2026

written by seinpaul65

Get your calendars out, it’s time to plan some trips to Eastern Stadium!

The Lansing Common FC just released their 2026 schedule and after a strong 2nd place finish in 2025 they are ready to bring home a this year! With nine home games within their 14 game season,

Get your season ticket at lansingcommonfc.com/memberships and don’t miss a minute of the action this summer!

We can’t wait to celebrate soccer and community with you all summer long.

Lansing Common FC website: https://lansingcommonfc.com/

Lansing Common FC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LansingCommonFC

Lansing Common Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lansingcommonfc/

Graphics by @cheyanne.ruby

March 3, 2026 0 comments

Happenings in the Latino Community Sponsors Statewide News

Lake Trust Credit Union Offers Free Online Entrepreneurship Institute at Cleary University

by seinpaul65 February 28, 2026

written by seinpaul65

Small businesses are the heart of every community. Providing jobs for our neighbors. Contributing financially to the local economy. And creating products and services that can’t be found anywhere else. To support the entrepreneurs in our communities, a new online program is available for free through Lake Trust Entrepreneurship Institute at Cleary University. This program is open to all Lake Trust business and personal members and Lake Trust community partners and their members.

Classes begin on April 13.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?ReturnUrl=%2fProcess%2fShortLinkApply%3fprocessGuid%3da517dac8-b733-4a43-904a-cfcc50e85f6e%26UrlKey%3dlaketrust&processGuid=a517dac8-b733-4a43-904a-cfcc50e85f6e&UrlKey=laketrust

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or doing research to decide if small business ownership is right for you, you’re invited to expand your skillset in a free course at your own pace. After completion, you may be invited to participate in a pitch competition for a chance to win a grant for your business!

After you register for Lake Trust Entrepreneurship Institute, we will review your application to make sure you meet the criteria. If you are accepted, you’ll receive an email from Cleary University after registration ends with details on how to start the courses on April 13.

The online courses will help you build the confidence and knowledge you need to grow your business or scale your ideas.

Courses include:

Introduction to entrepreneurship
Recognizing and assessing opportunities
Strategic planning and management
Marketing
Financial metrics
Scaling your business and growth

Each course will take 2-3 hours to complete. You’ll have 10 weeks to finish the program, so you have time to work on the courses when it’s convenient for you.

February 28, 2026 0 comments

Community Events Happenings in the Latino Community Statewide News

Michigan Disability Rights Coalition Offering Two Day Program for Spanish Speaking Parents

by seinpaul65 February 25, 2026

written by seinpaul65

Priscilla Cano is a Bilingual Disability Advocate at Michigan Disability Rights Coalition. She wanted to share this great opportunity for Spanish speaking parents of children with disabilities in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The LEAD program is accepting applications for our Spanish speaking parents. This program is completely in Spanish and it is designed to help Spanish speaking families learn about advocacy and supporting their children with disabilities. Parents will also learn about disability pride, history, culture & inclusion, supporting their child with disabilities, and navigating the special education system.

Below are flyers in English and Spanish along with a link to the application. The application in both English and Spanish but the program will be conducted completely in Spanish. Please feel free to share with your family, friends and anyone that you know that could benefit from this program. If you have any questions, please reach out to priscilla@mymdrc.org

Dates: Saturday, April 11th and Sunday April 12th (in-person sessions) and 4 virtual sessions (dates to be determined).

Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Meals will be provided and A $175 stipend will be provided to those that attend the program. Childcare and transportation assistance is available upon request.

Spanish Application: www.tinyurl.com/LEADPadres26

English Application: www.tinyurl.com/LeadParents26

February 25, 2026 0 comments

Community Events Happenings in the Latino Community Statewide News

ALSAME Announces 2026 Youth Conference Open to High Schoolers Statewide

by seinpaul65 February 24, 2026

written by seinpaul65

The ALSAME Youth Conference will be held this year at Western Michigan University on Friday, May 8, 2026 from 8:30am to 3:00pm. This highly anticipated conference brings students from across the State for a day of workshops, information and for many, it will be their first time on a college or university campus. If you are a student, ask your counselor at your school about ALSAME. If you are a parent, call your school and get in touch with the counseling center to inform them that not only are you interested in having your son or daughter attend, but you would like to know about scholarship opportunities.

Have you heard about ALSAME’s Scholarship? The application for this academic year is open now and we want you to apply! Click on this link for more information: https://alsame.org/scholarships/

¿Sabes acerca de la beca de ALSAME? ¡La solicitud para este curso académico está abierta y queremos que apliques! Haga clic en este enlace para obtener más información: https://alsame.org/scholarships/

Alsame has been active state wide in sponsoring college fairs for Latino students and parents, disseminating information about colleges and universities to students and community agencies, and gathering data which will assist Latino students in their pursuit of higher education.

In addition, Alsame has been a resource not only to educational entities but also to organizations in the non-educational arena interested in the economic and political welfare of Latino students in the state of Michigan.

Alsame is also concerned with the quality of life of Latino/Hispanic students on Michigan college campuses, the large number who do not complete college; and the lack of Latino/Hispanic professionals on the campuses to assist incoming Latino/Hispanic students.

ALSAME Website: https://alsame.org/

ALSAME Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/advocatesforlatinostudents

February 24, 2026 0 comments

Community Events Happenings in the Latino Community Statewide News

2026 Hispanic Latino Commission Statewide Post Graduation Ceremony Offers Scholarships

by seinpaul65 February 24, 2026

written by seinpaul65

The Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan (HLCOM) has announced that the annual ceremony celebrating Post Graduates will be held Friday, April 10, 2026. The event will be held at the Michigan Library and Historical Center located at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, Michigan 48915. From 5:30pm to 6:45pm will be light refreshments will be served followed by the ceremony starting at 7:00pm.

To register to be in the ceremony please fill out the form: 2026 HLCOM STATEWIDE GRADUATION CEREMONY

. For more information please contact: HLCOM@michigan.gov

H/L Commission of Michigan Website: Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan

H/L Commission of Michigan Facebook: Facebook

February 24, 2026 0 comments

Statewide News

Hispanic Leadership Institute Seeks Candidates for 2026 Program

by seinpaul65 January 27, 2026

written by seinpaul65

The Great Lakes Bay Hispanic Leadership Institute (GLBHLI) is seeking candidates for the 2026 program. Based out of Saginaw, Michigan, anyone can apply for this online program. The deadline is set for February 22, 2026. Whether you are attempting to develop or enhance your leadership skills, or just trying to understand how leadership works, this is a great program.

GLBHLI Website: https://www.glbhispanicleadership.org/

GLBHLI Program and Application: https://www.glbhispanicleadership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Application-GLBHLI-Fillable.pdf

GLBHLI Program 2026 Agenda: https://www.glbhispanicleadership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Agenda-2026.pdf

For more information please contact Monica Reyes at mbreyes@glbhispanicleadership.org

January 27, 2026 0 comments

Community Events Statewide News

Did You Guys Eat? / ¿Ya comieron? Stories of Michigan Agriculture

by seinpaul65 January 24, 2026

written by seinpaul65

Did You Guys Eat?/¿Ya comieron? Stories of Michigan Agriculture is a journey into the heart of Mid-Michigan’s agricultural landscape—one of the most diverse in the nation. Second only to California in crop variety, Michigan’s farms are as varied as the people who work them. This documentary follows the rhythm of the growing season, focusing on the individuals whose labor brings food to our tables: small family farmers, organic growers, and the often-overlooked seasonal migrant workers.

Did You Guys Eat?/¿Ya comieron? goes beyond the fields and greenhouses to also highlight the support network caring for the well-being of those who help us eat. This is not just a film about farming—it is about the people, the challenges, and the unseen systems that make each meal possible.

Directed by Dr. Stephany Slaughter, Director of the Andison Center for Teaching Excellence and professor at Alma College, whose interdisciplinary scholarship in gender studies, Latin American culture, borders, immigration, and social justice shapes this deeply researched, community-focused project.

Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/1080190728?fl=pl&fe=vl

The film will be shown February 21, 2026, at 5:30pm to 6:30pm as part of the Central Michigan International Film Festival which is being held from February 18-22. It will shown at the Opperman Auditorium in Park Library at CMU250 East Preston right on the Central Michigan University Campus.

CMU International Film Festival Website: CMIFF

CMU Movie Page: https://cmfilmfest.com/saturday-february-21/2026/2/21/did-you-guys-eat

For more information please email: cmiff@cmich.edu

January 24, 2026 0 comments

Community Events Happenings in the Latino Community Statewide News

Salinaz Promotions Releases 2026 Event Dates

by seinpaul65 January 16, 2026

written by seinpaul65

Salinaz Promotions has released their events which includes among others, La Corporacion, Grupo Motivo, Grupo Dezeo and Yvonne y Fuego. 15 dates are on the list and knowing Corina Salinaz she will add a few more before the year is over.

Salinaz Promotions recently took home the 2025 Cafecito Caliente Awards Community Partner of the Year Award in October of 2025. For more information, please contact Corina Salinaz.

January 16, 2026 0 comments

Happenings in the Latino Community Statewide News

Spanish Speaking Volunteers Needed to Advocate for Unaccompanied Minors in Federal Immigration Custody

by seinpaul65 January 14, 2026

written by seinpaul65

To Potential Volunteers,

Join to learn more about how to advocate for an immigrant child in federal detention. The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights will train, guide, and support you through this volunteer opportunity. They will share a quick introduction of the Young Center’s work and how you can become a part of it.

https://www.mobilize.us/theyoungcenter/event/747962/ Wednesday, Jan 8^th 5:30 to 6:00 pm

https://www.mobilize.us/theyoungcenter/event/747963/ Tuesday, Jan 14^th, 12:00 to 12:30 pm

https://www.mobilize.us/theyoungcenter/event/747966/ Tuesday, Jan 21^st , 5:30 to 6:00 pm

https://www.mobilize.us/theyoungcenter/event/747968/ Tuesday, Jan 28^th , 6:00 to 6:30 pm

Thank you so much!

Liliana Valderrama – Volunteer Coordinator (she, her, ella)

The Young Center for Immigrants Children’s Rights – Grand Rapids, MI

231-577-8350

January 14, 2026 0 comments

Community Events Statewide News

Lansing City Council Becomes First City Council in Michigan to Seat 50% Members

by seinpaul65 December 27, 2025

written by seinpaul65

History will be made in the City of Lansing on Monday, January 5, 2026 as four of the eight seats on the council, will be held by Latinos. It was only 8 years ago that there were no Latinos on the Council. Lansing becomes the first city in the State of Michigan (dare we say the Midwest?) to have a city council comprising of 50% Latinos.

Once upon a time when Tony Benavides was the Executive Director of the Cristo Rey Community Center, he probably never dreamed that one day, he would be a Lansing City Councilman (1982- 2003). And then the Mayor of Lansing (2003-2005). And on May 6, 2019, the Chamber, where the City Council meetings take place, would be officially named the “Tony Benavides Lansing City Council Chambers”. Tony would pass away in April of 2022. You can read about Benavides here: https://cafecitocaliente.com/former-mayor-tony-benavides-passes-away-at-84/

Fast forward to the November 2025 election. Jeremy Garza, the elder statesman of the four at 49, had served two terms to represent the 2nd Ward but gave up that seat to win one of two At-Large seats up for grabs. He is on an upward path within the Greater Lansing and perhaps State of Michigan political arenas all before the age of 50. Clara Martinez, a political newcomer wone the other At-Large seat and was the top vote getter. Deyanira Nevarez Martinez who recently gave up her seat as a first timer on the Lansing School Board of Directors, ran successfully for the open 2nd seat Garza gave up. Let’s not forget about Trini Lopez Pelivanoglu who was elected in November 2024 and who is charting her own future path which looks extremely bright.

Pelivanoglu will hold her seat until January 2028 while the other three Latinos will serve until January 2030. Also, voted on in that November 2025 election was the passing of a change suggested by the Lansing City Commission. Beginning in 2030, a ninth seat will be added to the Council. Lansing officially has about 112,000 people with Latinos being 13. 7% of that population so the 50% is quite amazing.

A special ceremony will be held inside the Tony Benavides Lansing City Council Chambers at 5:30pm, Monday, January 5, 2026, prior to the first Council meeting of 2026. Both Martinez’s (no relation), will be sworn in and Council Officers will be voted on. At 7:00pm, the City Council and it’s two newest members will take their seats. Tony Benavides probably could never have imagined all of this, but I am certain though, he is smiling from the Heavens.

December 27, 2025 0 comments

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