At the recent LULAC National Conference, Ingrid Riviera, Director of P&G Multicultural External Relations donated on behalf of Procter & Gamble a check for $100,000 to LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC). LNESC is dedicated to increasing educational opportunities for minority and low-income students of all ages. Initiatives include: Young Readers Program, Hispanic Leadership Opportunity Program and College Explorers Program.

As the premier Hispanic convention, the LULAC National Convention draws over 10,000 people each year including the top leaders from government, business, and the Hispanic community. In 2006 the list of guest speakers included Reverend Jesse Jackson, Democrat Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, NAACP President Bruce Gordon, Milwaukee Governor Jim Doyle, RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman, DNC Chairman Howard Dean, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, U.S. Treasurer Ana Cabral, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, Activist Dolores Huerta, among many others.

Entertainment was provided by Elvis Crespo and Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez.


Above: Rev. Jesse Jackson with MidwestLatino's Michael Beck, Democrat Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi with P&G's Ingrid Riviera, Elvis Crespo live in concert, US Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao

More pictures are in the Other Events Section of our Photo Gallery (click here)

Salsa Caliente had another great show this Saturday at Havana Martini Club



More pictures are at Cincinnati section of our Photo Gallery (click here)

On Tuesday, June 27th, the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA , held it annual Social, this year for the first time at Havana Martini Club!

It was an excellent opportunity to see old friends and to make some new ones. Present were also representatives of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.



More pictures are in the Cincinnati Section of our Photo Gallery (click here)

A community forum on Immigration Reform sponsored by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center took place on Monday, June 26, 2006 in the Harriet Tubman Theater at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

Immigration and immigration reform has been covered extensively in the news both nationally and locally. It is has arisen as a complex and sometimes divisive issue. Additionally, the race relations studies conducted by National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center have concluded there is an apparent disconnect between the newly arrived immigrants and the overall community.

This community forum was designed to:

• Provide education about Immigration and Immigration reform
• Provide various perspectives to enhance discourse around the issue of immigration and immigration reform
• Engage in an open discussion about immigrants in the U.S. and the Tri-State area.

Panel members included Sister Juana Mendez of Centro de Amistad, Byron McCauley of The Enquirer, Robert "Chip" Harrod of the National Conference for Community and Justice, community advocate Dan Molina, and Immigration Attorney Marilyn Zayas-Davis. The Forum was opened by Dr. Spencer Crew, CEO of the Freedom Center, and moderated by Dr. Cathy McDaniels-Wilson.

Present in the audience we had Michael A. Fox from the Butler County, as well as Gary Hines from the NAACP of West Chester/Hamiliton/Fairfield/Liberty Township.

Many participants were very positive about the forum and expressed a need for more such dialog opportunities. As somebody stated, only through dialog we can learn to understand the other side and work together on a solution to this very complex issue.



More pictures from the opening ceremony are at Cincinnati section of our Photo Gallery

Another great Saturday Salsa night at Adam's Rib!!!



More pictures are in the Dayton section of our Photo Gallery (click here)

And get ready for Latin Fridays @ Club Rain, starting July 7th. Click here for more info....

Miami Valley (Ohio) Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers had its first picnic, celebrating its first year of existance. Events included 1st SHPE Domino Tournament, Volleyball, Soccer, and many Kids events.

More pictures are in the Dayton section of our Photo Gallery (click here)

On Saturday, June 24, La Selva Wholesale Mexican Groceries had its Grand Opening.

Located at 4890-B Duff Drive (Exit 42-B on I-275 West), Cincinnati, OH, it is a first of its kind company in the Cincinnati area, with sales and distribution of primarily Mexican food products to small business establishments.

To contact them, click here...

More pictures from the opening ceremony are at Cincinnati section of our Photo Gallery

Azucar, a local Latin band, did recording this Wednesday for Nuestro Rincon, which will be broadcasted this weekend. Also present were Lori Hebo, owner of Argentine Bean talking about the upcoming Half New Year's Party on June 30 at Argentine Bean. For more information, click here...

Cincinnati NSHMBA chapter (National Society of Hispanic MBAs) had its open board meeting this Wednesday, which was sponsored by National City. During meeting participants had the opportunity to learn about the Roadmap to Conference 2006 and to help the chapter Board with ideas to develop the best NSHMBA conference ever.

From October 26-28, 2006, Cincinnati will be hosting NSHMBA’s 17th Annual Conference and Career Expo. Thousands of Hispanic MBA students and professionals will attend the conference looking for career opportunities, professional development and networking events. The NSHMBA Conference has earned a reputation as the place to be whether you are looking to hire entry-level MBA students or seasoned MBA veterans.

For more information about the NSHMBA Conference, click here...

To learn more about the local chapter of NSHMBA or to become a member, click here...

Why not to have a Half New Year’s Party? Next Friday, June 30th, the opular coffee and wine bistro/bar “Argentine Bean” (located at 2875 Town Center Boulevard, Crestview Hills, KY) will host just that! As every Friday, the local Latin band “Azucar” will play the best of Salsa, Merengue, and Cha Cha.

For those who don’t know how to dance, but would love to learn, there will be free dance lessons. The Party will start at 9:30 PM. There will be also special Gourmet samples, outdoor seating, and of course, midnight champagne. For information, call (859) 426-1042

Congratulations to Onaney Ortiz, who just graduated from Palm Beach Community College! Onaney is an incredibly talented Latina singer from Cincinnati, who now lives in Florida. To listen to Onanay click here...

What a difference can 200 miles make. The Festival Latino in Columbus, OH was hot and sunny. The Latin Festival in Louisville, KY, was rainy and cold. But the Latin music played by Cincinnati's Tropicoso was hot, and people enjoyed it despite the rain. After all, what are umbrellas for? There was also a very nice Tango demonstration by local dance teachers Andy and Christy.



More pictures are in the Louisville section of our Photo Gallery (click here)

MidwestLatino was sponsoring the big opening of Latin Nights in Columbus' Coliseum, presented by RitmoProductions.

The Largest Latino After Party Ever following the Columbus Latino Fest, which was was also the Grand Opening of "Sabados Gigantes" or "Giant Saturdays" at the Coliseum Nightclub (6252 Busch Blvd.) was a huge success! The new location is fantastic, in comparison to all the previous ones (like Fabric, Global, Club Seven), absolutely the best! If you didn't make it last night there, don't miss the next Saturday!

More pictures are in the Columbus section of our Photo Gallery (click here)

We don't know how they do it, but as in previous years, the weather during the Columbus Festival Latino was fantastic! And as usual, the organization was flawless - Ed Myers and his team did a wonderful job! The city government, under leadership of Mayor Mike Coleman, provides a great support for this Festival and for Columbus' Latino community, and it's visible throughout the Festival.



More pictures are in the Columbus section of our Photo Gallery (click here)

The Episcopal Church's holds its 75th General Convention meeting in Columbus, Ohio, from June 13-21. On Saturday, June 17, members of the Latino/Hispanic Ministry in the Episcopal Church had a "Get Together" in the Ohio State House. Present were, among others, David Andrés Álvarez, Bishop of Puerto Rico, Rev. Anthony Guillén (Latino/Hispanic Ministry), Tony Simms (Chairman of the Hispanic Commission, Episcopal Diocese Southern Ohio)



More pictures are in the Columbus section of our Photo Gallery (click here)