To kick off Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrate Mexico’s Bicentenial and several Central American countries’ independence, HOMBRE headed to Washington to make a political statement. 

Chartering several buses, HOMBRE along with Galos Corporation and the Diversity Foundation brought hundreds to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for a historical event.

The evening began at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute gala dinner hosted by CHCI Chair Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez. President Barack Obama addressed an audience of over 3,000 attendees, speaking on the importance of immigration reform. 

At the event, Chair Velazquez presented the 2010 CHCI Chair’s Award to “In the Heights” Broadway composer and Tony-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda.  The 2010 Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service Awards was presented to actress Eva Longoria Parker and jazz legend Arturo Sandoval, in recognition of their contributions to the Latino community. Grammy-nominated percussionist Sheila E. headlined the Gala entertainment and CNN special correspondent Soledad O’Brien hosted the evening’s events.

CHCI’s 33rd Annual Awards Gala is the largest and most prestigious gathering of Hispanic bipartisan, public and private sector figures in the nation; attracting national leaders, elected officials, corporate executives, educators, and entertainers.  

Following the Gala hundreds of attendees headed to the Lincoln memorial for a celebration of ‘El Grito.’ The evening began with speeches by Dr. Antonio Ibara, Cesar Chavez’s second in command and our publisher, Carlos Velasquez, among others.  At midnight candles were lit and bells rang, followed by musical presentations and folkloric dancers.

In a year where immigration plays such an important role in the nation’s dialogue, HOMBRE felt the need to make a political statement by going to Washington DC and standing arm in arm at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the same place where Martin Luther King once gave a life-changing speech.  

HOMBRE’s evening in Washington was a moving celebration of the accomplishments made by Latinos and the need for the community to keep moving forward regardless of obstacles. This was the first of what will now become an annual celebration.

Our Editorial Director, Francisco Romeo

U.S. Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar