A month to celebrate our Hispanic American community

The Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival, hosted by PACO (The Puerto Rican, American and Caribbean Organization)  in downtown Dayton. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

The Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival, hosted by PACO (The Puerto Rican, American and Caribbean Organization) in downtown Dayton. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

For more than 50 years, Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated in the United States from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. The heritage month was established to pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our society. It begins in the middle of September to coincide with the independence days of several Latin American countries.

In today’s Ideas & Voices, hear from local contributors discuss the economic, cultural and social impact of our region’s diverse Hispanic American community.

Karla Knox is the President of PACO. Originally from Panamá, she has lived in Dayton since 1990 and is a graduate of Wright State University. She has worked in local government for over 28 years. She is a supporter of building stronger communities through inclusivity and cooperation. (CONTRIBUTED)

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We want to create a better life for our families and to contribute to the communities we live in

We immigrate to the U.S. for different reasons, but for the most part, we have one common goal: To create a better life for our families and to contribute to the communities we live in. If you look around many neighborhoods in Dayton, you’ll see neglected and abandoned houses are being bought and brought back to life by immigrants. We are investing in the community. Just look at the number of immigrant-owned businesses around the city. It is easy in this day and age to fall victim to lack of knowledge, lack of empathy and to ignorance and hate. But let us not forget that this is a nation that was founded and built by immigrants. Always remember what is inscribed at the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

- Read more from Karla Knox, President of PACO

Daryll Rosa is bongocero and vocalist for the Dayton Salsa Project, representing the Hispanic community through music and community engagement. (CONTRIBUTED)

Credit: MATT WHEELER

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Credit: MATT WHEELER

Make a difference by including more Hispanic voices in local arts programming

Representation matters and these efforts from the Latino community not only aim to educate and share our culture, but it also hopes to make it part of the experience of living in Dayton, Ohio.

The band has also grown alongside DaytOn1 Salsa, a local dance group founded also in 2018, which has been instrumental in the rise of salsa dancing in Dayton. Through weekly salsa and bachata lessons, DaytOn1 Salsa encourages its students to engage with live performances, helping to educate the public about the roots of salsa and the connection between the music and the dance.

Today, the Dayton Salsa Project serves as a cultural ambassador for the Hispanic community in the Miami Valley, bridging cultural divides and engaging diverse audiences through the energy of salsa music and dance.

- Read more from Daryll Rosa, bongocero and vocalist for the Dayton Salsa Project

Wright State University and Boonshoft School of Medicine students are partnering to hold Latino Wellness Clinics geared toward people in the community who only or mostly speak Spanish, with the next one coming up on Dec. 9. Pictured in the first row, left to right, are Gisella Drouet, Ankur Parekh, Deborah Lee, Sade Fayiga, Ian Pabon Gonazalez, Dr. Ruth Claros, Catherine Hernandez Hogan, and Enedina Sepulveda Martinez. In the second row are Will Bohne, Sam Doehring, Steffen Fallini, and Kevin Williams. PROVIDED

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Latino Medical Student Association enhances cultural competency, addresses unique health needs

The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine has united and empowered medical students through service, mentorship, and education to advocate for the health of the Hispanic/Latino community in Dayton. The organization advocates for policies and practices that address health disparities affecting this community. This includes promoting research and initiatives to improve healthcare access and outcomes for the Hispanic/Latino population. With this goal in mind, LMSA has partnered with organizations in the community to provide culturally competent healthcare through the Latino Wellness Clinic, a monthly medical student free-run clinic. Through this clinic, LMSA looks to enhance cultural competency among future healthcare professionals from Wright State University, by offering medical Spanish training, helping to understand and address the unique health needs of this population, and fostering more inclusive and effective care that can make a greater impact in the life of the Hispanic/Latino community. Last year, more than 300 Hispanic/Latinos visited our clinic, helping many people from the community who have not seen a doctor in years.

- Read more from Victor Aballe Mosqueda and Marcelo Costa of Wright State University’s Latino Medical Association