Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot will join the Office of Community Engagement and other City leaders for a celebratory virtual event to commemorate Latinx Heritage Month by honoring 19 "Campeones de la Communidad Latina" ( "Latinx Community Champions" ) for their commitment to supporting and advocating for Chicago's multiethnic and multicultural Latinx community.
Recipients were selected based on their leadership and contribution to the Latinx community through various industries, including art and culture, health and medicine, technology, business, community empowerment, civil rights, human services, education, youth outreach and immigration rights.
Among those selected was Center on Halsted Executive Director Modesto "Tico" Valle ( in the "LGBTQ+" category ) and out artist Sam Kirk ( one of fouralong with Carlos Rolon, Carlos Matallana and Jonathan Castillounder "Arts and Culture" ). Some of the other honorees include Heartland Alliance President Evelyn Diaz ( Human Services ), Esperanza Health Centers Chief Operations Officer Carmen Vergara ( Health and Medicine ) and Metropolitan Family Services CEO Ric Estrada ( Legacy Award ).
The City of Chicago will provide a live-stream feed of the event on Mayor Lightfoot's social-media channels. including Facebook and Twitter.