During Hispanic Heritage  Month or whenever your region celebrates Latinos, consider sponsoring a Hispanic Literary Heritage Reading.  This event combines a celebration of our rich literature with an attention on literacy.  When I first envisioned this event, I modeled it on the Black Caucus’ African American Read-In.  I have hosted Hispanic Literary Heritage Readings in various settings including primary school classrooms, public libraries and the university.  I’ve never been disappointed because even if only a few people gather, we are sharing literature, language and culture.  Usually, I have students or volunteers read works by their favorite Latino/a, Latin American or Spanish author.  In the middle of the program, we often enjoy donated refreshments—Latino/a student groups, Minority and/or Student Affairs offices or other entities are willing to help out—as well as a display of books by Latino/a, Latin American and Spanish authors (you can borrow books from the library or you could ask a local bookstore to bring books to sell).  If planned far enough in advance, you could have local or regional authors read at the event but it should be about many different people reading different works. 

If you want to start planning a Hispanic Literary Heritage Reading, contact Cecilia Rodríguez Milanés cmilanes@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu or MaryCarmen Cruz mcruz@tusd.k12.az.us  for more information, including sample bibliographies.

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