PLACITA LATINA: CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH<\/u> IN DECATUR AND AVONDALE ESTATES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A group of Hispanic\/Latinx Decatur and Avondale Estates residents\/professionals\/friends came together to propose a colorful, cultural, and historical series of events to be held between the two cities during Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 \u2013 October 15, 2021).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hispanic Heritage Month was created to promote the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic- Americans, from one of over 30 countries and territories that make up Latin America<\/em>. Communities all over the US mark the achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans with festivals and educational activities. The team saw an opportunity to bring these rich and diverse cultures to both Avondale Estates and Decatur, in a way that hadn\u2019t been done before \u2013 and the city governments for both agreed! The result is Placita Latina: a series of weekly \u201cmini-events\u201d that highlight Hispanic\/Latinx performance, food, and culture from September 15, through October 15, 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These \u201cmini-events\u201d will include a mix of Latinx-inspired music, dance, art, education, and flavors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choloteca \u201cAfter-Dance- Party\u201d 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM with DJ La Superior performing, sponsored by the Decatur Business Association. <\/strong>Both events on the Decatur Square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first two Placita Latina events also take place during Welcoming Week, September 10-19, hosted in collaboration with the Welcoming committees of both Decatur and Avondale Estates. Welcoming Week is an initiative of Welcoming America which represents a network of hosts around the world who strive to make their communities a more welcoming place for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The event team is also working with local businesses (and business associations), offering them tools to create their own \u201cPlacita Latina\u201d specials and mini events, during the month-long celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are already 25 participating businesses (and counting). A complete list can be found at placitalatinaga.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the first collaboration of this scale between Decatur and Avondale Estates \u2014 hopefully the first of many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Placita Latina team consists of two Avondale Estates residents: project founders; Adela Yelton and Mayte \u201cMaria\u201d Peck \u2013 and five \u201cDecaturites:\u201d Maria Alvarez, Kris Webb, Miguel Martinez, and Hector and Christy Amador. The team is a diverse mix, including Mexicans, Mexican-Americans, Peruvian Americans, Nicaraguans, and their partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When some people think about \u201cLatin America\u201d they are often unaware of the diversity of the people, history, food, music, culture and even languages of the countries that are included in this group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maria Alvarez, committee member and owner of \u201cMyVirtual CFO-Atlanta,\u201d has experienced this lack of knowledge, firsthand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have lost count of how many times I\u2019ve been asked if I am from Mexico, even after I tell them I\u2019m from Nicaragua. I know a lot of wonderful people from Mexico, but our cultures are very differen<\/em>t \u2013 <\/em>Nicaragua is three countries away. Once I explain this, they usually \u2018get it.\u2019 For me, finding ways to educate people about the cultural richness and ethnic diversity of the Latin American people is so important \u2013 which is why I love being part of Placita Latina. Getting to know our neighbors can only create strength in our community. Plus, I never turn down a good party.\u201c<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n What Placita Latina is bringing to Decatur and Avondale Estates will help promote positive narratives about Latinx people and culture in a way that is not only highlights contributions to our cities, county, state, and country, but can also be characterized, in Maria\u2019s words, as a \u201cGood Party.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nLearn more about Placita Latina at:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n