National Hispanic Heritage Month to Be Observed in City of West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA (August 30, 2022) — The City of West Palm Beach will observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 – October 15, 2022. This observance celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Latinos or Hispanics.

Mayor Keith A. James will issue a proclamation in observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month during a City Commission meeting, and the City will host various FREE community events at the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach.

“During National Hispanic Heritage Month, the City of West Palm Beach will pay tribute to the Hispanic or Latino Americans who positively influenced our city and nation,” said Mayor James, who is working to create a community of opportunity for all residents. “We hope everyone will join us for the City’s free events celebrating the contributions and cultures of Hispanics/Latinos, as well as the many ways we are working together to promote prosperity and equity in our City.”

The Hispanic or Latino demographic makes up 23% of the City’s population and 18.9% of the U.S. population.

Of Mayor James’ administration, both Assistant City Administrators Armando Fana and Jose-Luis Rodriguez are Hispanic or Latino. Additionally, Mayor James appointed a Hispanic Community Liaison, Jose Tagle, to open communications between speakers of Spanish and City Hall. To contact Mr. Tagle, dial (561) 822-1250 (TTY: 800-955-8771).

National Hispanic Heritage Month was originally established as Hispanic Heritage Week by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 and expanded as National Hispanic Heritage Month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. September 15 is significant, as it is also Independence Day for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Three other countries also celebrate their independence during this month: Mexico, Chile and Belize. Additionally, Día de la Raza is celebrated on October 12. 

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS AT MANDEL PUBLIC LIBRARY, 411 CLEMATIS STREET

FOR ADULTS:
Spanish Conversation Group
Wednesdays, September 7 & 21
2 – 3 p.m.
Salento Coffee Shop, 1st Floor
FREE

Join this informal conversation group every first and third Wednesday of the month to practice your Spanish language fluency. Our facilitator will bring topics and discussion questions to get the conversation flowing. Intermediate Spanish skills are required. No registration required. For more information, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7701.

English Conversation Group
Wednesdays, September 14 & 28
2 – 3 p.m.
Salento Coffee Shop, 1st Floor
FREE

Join this informal conversation group every second and fourth Wednesday of the month to practice your English language fluency. Our facilitator will bring topics and discussion questions to get the conversation flowing. Intermediate English skills are required. No registration required. For more information, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7701.  

Clase de Pintura en Acrílico 
Miércoles, 21 de septiembre
Miércoles, 19 de octubre
6 – 8 p.m.
Studio 411
GRATIS

Artista Juan Bernal, quien se especializa en captar la belleza de la naturaleza, enseñará a pintar un cuadro paso a paso. La biblioteca proporciona todo el material. Los estudiantes aportan su creatividad, ganas, y un poco de amor. Cupo limitado a siete personas. Favor de registrarse al 561-868-7701.   

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers: Hispanic Heritage in Action 
Wednesday, September 21 
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.  
Auditorium, 3rd Floor 
FREE 

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers began organizing in 1993 to discuss how to better their community and their lives. Since then, they have grown into a human rights organization internationally recognized for their achievements in fighting human trafficking and gender-based violence at work. Their Fair Food Program has become a model for worker-driven social responsibility, and they organize marches around the state in support of it. Join us to learn more about this regional history in the making, grassroots leadership, and how you can support justice today. Presentation in English and Spanish. Light refreshments will be served. No registration required. For more information, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7701.  

Puerto Rico: Su Historia y Su Cultura 
Sunday, October 2
2 – 4 p.m.   
Auditorium, 3rd Floor  
FREE  

The Puerto Rican Cultural Society returns to showcase highlights of Puerto Rican culture and history in music, dance, and refreshments. Everyone is welcome to enjoy this proud and joyful festivity. No registration required. For more information, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7701.   

Salsa Dance Lessons
Wednesdays in October
7 – 8 p.m.
Pre-function Lobby, 3rd Floor
FREE

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by learning to dance salsa. An instructor from DanceCrush Studio in West Palm Beach will teach the basic steps on Wednesday evenings in October. No partner necessary. No registration required. For more information, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7701.  

“What’s Your Story?” Record to Remember
Wednesday, October 12  
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.  
Technology and Innovation Center, 2nd Floor
FREE 

Learn how to use our audio equipment to record your story and share your culture during Hispanic Heritage Month! Practice writing a script and recording in our WhisperRoom sound booth; we’ll also give basic introductions on how to use the free, open-source program Audacity. You may also submit your recording to be featured in a “Voices from the Stacks” library podcast episode! Ages 15 and up. Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7760.

Friday with the Friends Book Club  
Friday, October 14
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.  
Live on Zoom  
FREE  

Join the Friends of the Mandel Public Library and other book lovers every second Friday of the month for a lively discussion of selected books. October’s book will be “Dominicana” by Angie Cruz. Fifteen-year-old Ana Cancion must marry a man twice her age, who will take her from the Dominican countryside to New York City. Their marriage is an opportunity for her entire close-knit family to eventually immigrate. Lonely and miserable there, Ana hatches a reckless plan to escape. But at the bus terminal, she is stopped by her husband’s free-spirited younger brother, who convinces her to stay. He allows her to start imagining the possibility of a different kind of life in America. And then she must decide once again between her heart and her duty to her family. A vital portrait of the immigrant experience and the timeless coming-of-age story. Informal book chatter begins at 11:30 AM followed by a moderated book discussion at noon. No registration required. Visit the library’s online calendar for the Zoom link. For more information, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7701.  

FOR CHILDREN:

Family Storytime Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Wednesday, September 14
10 – 10:45 a.m.
Auditorium, 3rd Floor
FREE

¡Celebremos! Let’s celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Bilingual Storytime! For families with children up to 5 years old. Join Ms. Claudia for music and movement, songs, rhymes, art, and of course, great books in Spanish and English. Space is limited, and in-person sign-up begins in KidSpace at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7703.

¡Fiesta! Kidspace Party Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Sunday, October 9
2 – 3 p.m.
KidSpace, 3rd Floor
FREE

For kids in grades K-12. Join Ms. Claudia as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Do a little dance, have fun with crafts, and try some tasty new treats. Space is limited, and in-person sign-up begins in KidSpace at 1:30 PM. For more information, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7703.

Hispanic Heritage Month Book Club: Grades K-3
Saturday, October 15
2 – 2:45 p.m.
KidSpace, 3rd Floor
FREE

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, kids in grades K-3 are invited to read and discuss the book “A Song of Frutas” by Margarita Engle. A little girl helps her abuela who is a pregonero, or singing fruit vendor, to sell fresh fruits in the market. The two sing and dance through the neighborhood and meet new people. The book club will be followed by an age-appropriate craft. Registration is required and begins Monday, September 12. For more information or to register, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7703.

Hispanic Heritage Month Book Club: Grades 4-6
Saturday, October 15
3 – 3:45 p.m.
KidSpace, 3rd Floor
FREE

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, kids in grades 4-6 are invited to read and discuss the book “First Rule of Punk” by Celia Perez. Registration is required and begins Monday, September 12. For more information or to register, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7703.

Cuentos con Ms. Claudia: Spanish Bilingual Storytime
Sunday, October 23
2 – 3 p.m.
Auditorium, 3rd floor
FREE

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, join Ms. Claudia and enjoy stories, or cuentos, in Spanish together. This bilingual storytime aims to make new connections with languages and spark children’s imaginations. Storytime will be followed by a craft. Space is limited, and in-person sign-up begins in KidSpace at 1:30 p.m. For more information, visit wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7703.