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Tag: Hispanic Heritage Month

  • How one Sterling dress shop is keeping Latino traditions thriving – WTOP News

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    Danielly’s Boutique, a family-owned business, has been a staple in the Latino community in Sterling, Virginia, providing “all things quinceañera.”

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    How one Sterling dress shop is keeping Latino traditions thriving

    WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region.

    With her little sister in tow, Gesbell Rodas tried on a nearly six-foot-wide blue and white dress. Adorned with shimmering lace, a large bow and a tiara, Rodas knew it would fit the Cinderella theme of her 15th birthday party.

    She and her family had been planning her quinceañera since January, making sure they had ample time to secure the venue, her dress and even a horse.

    “Planning a quince means you’re on a very tight budget with other things,” Rodas said. “But I’m really excited because I get to finally get celebrated for going into womanhood.”

    A quinceañera is the traditional Latino celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday, signifying her transition from childhood into womanhood.

    She bought her dress from Danielly’s Boutique, a family-owned business that has been a staple in the Latino community in Sterling, Virginia, for over 20 years, providing “all things quinceañera” in one place.

    Elizabeth Jorge, the owner of the boutique, said planning her first daughter’s quinceañera in 2006 inspired her to open the shop.

    Jorge, who came to the U.S. over 30 years ago from El Salvador, said she had no experience running a business before opening the jewelry-turned-dress store. She said she had to order items from out of state for the birthday party and grew frustrated over the excessive costs.

    “I’m telling you, this is a long process that has to be started to avoid worrying or stress. Better to do it with time, at least a year in advance, so everything goes as smoothly as possible,” she told WTOP in Spanish.

    The parties traditionally include many cultural elements, including a father-daughter dance, “the last doll” and a dancing court of up to 28 “damas” and “chambelanes.”

    “Now, we celebrate the quinceañeras with different rituals that are very rooted in culture, such as the changing of the tiara, changing of the shoes,” said Daniela Williams, the social media and marketing manager of the boutique.

    Williams said watching her mother plan her 15th birthday gave them both the knowledge of “what is expected when it comes to planning a quince” and helping other families in their shop.

    “Definitely having the experience of my own quinceañera helps me understand young girls when they’re planning their own party as well,” she said. “Don’t wait until the last minute.”

    The financial realities behind the glamour

    Planning a quinceañera can be a massive labor of love, time and money.

    One of the most iconic elements of a quinceañera is the large, ornate dress that the birthday girl wears. Some dresses at Danielly’s Boutique go for as much as $1,700.

    “We truly treat everyone equally, no matter what the dress costs, or how much they can spend. The most important thing is that we treat our customers the way they deserve, with love and humanity,” Jorge said. “I treat them the same whether they can spend one dollar or if they can spend $5,000. To me, it’s the same.”

    On top of the dress, families will want to be able to physically keep the memory of the occasion.

    That’s where photographers such as Keyla Sanders step in.

    Sanders, a portrait photographer based in D.C., said she found shooting quinceañeras was the most inspiring because seeing the potential in the young girls transitioning into womanhood is clear.

    “Everybody feels happy when they are around these beautiful dresses,” she said. “When they see what I see, they can’t believe it. They love themselves, and it gives them, I say, a shot of self-esteem boost.”

    Sanders came to the U.S. at 16 from Honduras with her younger sister and “nothing but a pair of clothes.” She wasn’t able to celebrate her own 15th birthday, but said seeing young girls celebrate their special day now helps her “enjoy the process every single time.”

    “I have been inspired because working with young Latina girls has really helped me see the potential in them, just like I saw the potential in myself,” she said.

    Photoshoots, including the hair styling and makeup, with her company can cost up to $3,000.

    “Not every culture understands why we spend so much on a 15-year-old’s party. But for us, this means a lot,” she said.

    Gesbell Rodas tried on a nearly six-foot-wide blue and white dress with a shimmering lace, a large bow and a tiara.
    (WTOP/Ciara Wells)

    WTOP/Ciara Wells

    Elizabeth Jorge with her daughter Daniela
    Elizabeth Jorge with her daughter Daniela Williams.
    (WTOP/Ciara Wells)

    WTOP/Ciara Wells

    Danielly’s Boutique
    Elizabeth Jorge, owner of Danielly’s Boutique, named the boutique after her daughter Daniela Williams.
    (WTOP/Ciara Wells)

    WTOP/Ciara Wells

    Quinceañera
    Planning a quinceañera can be a massive labor of love, time and money.
    (Courtesy Danielly’s Boutique)

    Courtesy Danielly’s Boutique

    A girl in a big, red dress
    One of the most iconic elements of a quinceañera is the large, ornate dress that the birthday girl wears.
    (Courtesy Pixel Studio Photography)

    Courtesy Pixel Studio Photography

    Natalie in a big, black dress in front of the U.S. Capitol
    A girl named Natalie in a big and black dress in front of the U.S. Capitol.
    (Courtesy Keyla Sanders)

    Courtesy Keyla Sanders

    Darlene in a big and pink dress
    A girl named Darlene in a big, pink dress.
    (Courtesy Keyla Sanders)

    Courtesy Keyla Sanders

    Community’s resilience amid immigration fears

    Over time, the increased presence of immigration law enforcement agents around the country has escalated fear within the Latino community.

    Jorge and Williams said they’ve seen a change in their customer base in the past nine months alone.

    “The truth is that it’s very difficult,” Jorge said. “The only thing I tell my clients is that, especially Latino clients, we should keep moving forward, have faith, and remember that God won’t leave us in this.”

    “We’re here for our customers. We are in a very central Latino community here, and we see everything. But we always want to be a safe haven for them as well, even if they’re just wanting to talk,” Williams said.

    Sanders, who has been a photographer in the D.C. area for over 15 years, said her clients now prefer to speak English with her instead of their native Spanish.

    But Sanders noted how important the Latino population of the U.S. is beyond the cultural influences of food and music, and how the growing fear that’s keeping them at home is hurting the country as a whole.

    “I’ve seen the impact we have had in the last few weeks, when we have been forced to stay home and it’s quiet, and I know businesses are closing,” she said. “We Latinos, we are not just making the money, but we’re spending it.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Ciara Wells

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  • Langley Park, Md.’s immigrant spirit endures despite ICE raids and Purple Line turmoil – WTOP News

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    Langley Park, Maryland’s mostly Latino community is proud of its 100-year history as a lively neighborhood of immigrants despite facing ICE raids and housing issues.

    Yolanda Brewster at her Guatemalan Xelaju kiosk in La Union mall in Langley Park, Maryland.
    (WTOP/Diane Morris)

    WTOP/Diane Morris

    Deni Taveras
    Maryland state Del. Deni Taveras enjoys a meal at San Alejo Restaurant in Langley Park.
    (WTOP/Diane Morris)

    WTOP/Diane Morris

    Baleadas Express, a Honduran restaurant, located in Langley Park.
    (WTOP/Diane Morris)

    WTOP/Diane Morris

    A painted utility box posted outside the Langley Park Garden Apartments features Spanish-language writing.
    (WTOP/Diane Morris)

    WTOP/Diane Morris

    La Union Mall sits elevated on top of a small hill in Langley Park.
    (WTOP/Diane Morris)

    WTOP/Diane Morris

    The headquarters of the Latino advocacy organization CASA is in Langley Park. The mansion was formerly owned by a British mine owner who established the community in the early 1920s.
    (WTOP/Diane Morris)

    WTOP/Diane Morris

    WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region.

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    In Langley Park, Md.’s immigrant spirit endures despite ICE raids, Purple Line turmoil

    Sit down in the San Alejo Salvadoran restaurant, near the corner of New Hampshire Avenue and University Boulevard in suburban Maryland, and you have entered the heart of Langley Park — like a mini Central America.

    Situated on the border where Montgomery County ends and Prince George’s County begins, Langley Park’s mostly Latino community is proud of its 100-year history as a lively neighborhood of immigrants, filled with Hispanic markets, restaurants and small businesses that line its busy streets.

    But challenges from landlord neglect and the impacts of the Maryland Transit Administration’s new Purple Line are making life more difficult for the residents who call Langley Park home. And more recently, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have put the community on edge.

    National politics hit home

    As she sat eating tamales at San Alejo, Maryland State Del. Deni Taveras talked about how the ICE raids in the neighborhood have also reopened old wounds.

    “A lot of people here lived through wars in their countries. To have masked men with machine guns breaking down doors at 6 a.m., that brings trauma,” she said, referring to how ICE officers have been entering homes in Langley Park. “People are afraid to go to work. They’re afraid to make a living,” she said.

    Lindolfo Carballo, senior director of community economic development of the Latino advocacy organization CASA, which is located in the center of Langley Park, agreed with Taveras. “What this administration is doing has horrified our community,” he said and added that he’s seen ICE officers pull people right off the street and social media posts have tracked the abuse in the neighborhood.

    Carballo said ICE officers broke the window of a Langley Park woman’s car with her teenage daughter inside. “Her daughter saw the whole thing. And that’s not only illegal but it’s inhumane,” he said.

    The reason for the targeting? About 85% of the neighborhood’s 22,000 residents are from Central America, and some are undocumented, Carballo said. The majority are from El Salvador and Guatemala, along with immigrants from Nicaragua, Honduras and other countries.

    Thousands of Latino immigrants moved to Langley Park during the 1970s and 1980s, a time when civil wars were tearing through El Salvador and Guatemala, Carballo said. Now, the community has one of the highest populations of Salvadorans in the U.S.

    Carballo himself is an immigrant who escaped El Salvador in the early 1980s after he was arrested for participating in anti-government activities during the nation’s civil war. Fearing persecution under a military government, he was able to get asylum in D.C. before coming to the Langley Park area. He is concerned that Central American immigrants now are being denied the opportunities he received.

    Even before he came to work in Langley Park, the area was always a neighborhood of immigrants, Carballo said, stretching back to the 1920s when a British immigrant, Frederick McCormick-Goodhart bought the land where Langley Park now sits.

    The mining magnate built a 30,000-square-foot mansion, where CASA is now headquartered. Developers built low-cost garden apartments surrounding the mansion, which attracted large groups of immigrants over the past 90 years, from Eastern European Jews to Africans to an influx of Central Americans starting in the 1970s.

    Housing, economic strains and fentanyl

    While ICE raids are the latest concern for Langley Park residents, the neighborhood has had some longstanding problems that leaders are still addressing.

    Carballo said while immigrants were able to find cheaper housing in Langley Park, its housing stock has long suffered neglect. For years, landlords often deferred maintenance and faced few consequences because non-English speaking tenants didn’t have the tools to legally challenge them — leaving some occupants living in deteriorating buildings.

    “Drive around here and you can see windows made of cardboard,” Carballo said. “And in the wintertime, that is cruel.”

    About 20 years ago, with the help of CASA, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary next month, some tenants organized and fought to improve living conditions, which brought about upgrades in some buildings.

    “This is a hardworking area of individuals that want to make their American dreams come true,” Taveras said. But now people are paying $1,700 a month for rent, which is very high for someone making just $15-$20 an hour, she said.

    To make ends meet, many people rent out rooms or families double up so they can make rent, causing overcrowding in some buildings.

    Taveras has represented different parts of Prince George’s County on the council for 12 years, and now represents Langley Park while living on the edge of the neighborhood. She came to the D.C. area from New York in the early 2000s.

    Of Dominican heritage, she says she’s proud to fight for the neighborhood, a community grappling with the same housing and economic struggles she knew growing up as an orphan in one of New York’s Hispanic neighborhoods.

    Adding to the economic strains, fentanyl is also eating away at the neighborhood, especially among young people, Taveras said. “It was an onslaught, especially at Northwestern and High Point high schools” where many Langley Park teens attend.

    Over the past 10 years, however, “we’ve been able to address the addiction through Narcan,” she said. Legislation and distributing fentanyl detection strips have also helped “because a lot of people didn’t know that what they were taking was laced with fentanyl.”

    The Purple Line — hopes and hazards

    The Purple Line, MTA’s long-awaited 16-mile light rail stretching from Bethesda to New Carrollton, cuts directly through Langley Park. A 2017 report said few deny that the Purple Line will bring new amenities and services to what researchers referred to as a “long-neglected portion of the county.”

    While many in Langley Park welcome better transit access, they also worry it will accelerate gentrification, Carballo said.

    Construction of the line over the past seven years has cut into profits for businesses along the rail’s path, according to Yolanda Brewster, a Guatemalan immigrant who runs the Xelaju kiosk, which sells Guatemalan food, clothes and souvenirs in La Union Mall on University Boulevard.

    “First we had the pandemic, which wiped us out,” she said. “Then we had Purple Line construction, which took away business when it became too difficult to travel here. Now it’s like a cemetery — no one comes here anymore.”

    Culture helps build community

    Despite these challenges, Langley Park endures as a place where families build futures. Carballo of CASA said that, to him, the neighborhood represents “everything positive.”

    “It’s a very young neighborhood, right? There are so many kids here, so many people, and that is the future of the United States.”

    Del. Taveras agrees on how deeply that spirit runs. “We have children here that are on their way to Dartmouth. We have families starting their businesses, that are extremely entrepreneurial.”

    “We have a sense of resilience here, a sense of community here, a sense of culture that is extremely rich and very endearing,” Taveras said.

    She said this is especially important to point out during Hispanic Heritage Month, when the U.S. celebrates all things Latino. She remembered celebrations past at Langley Park’s MegaMart Hispanic grocery store, which had a party for Guatemalian Independence Day on Oct. 15 last year that was “so big, it lasted until the next day.

    “As somebody who could have lived anywhere, I chose to be here,” Taveras said, “and I’m so proud of where I live.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Diane Morris

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  • Hillsborough Schools supervisor honored for Hispanic heritage advocacy

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    TAMPA, Fla. — As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, Hillsborough County Public Schools’ English language supervisor, Jessica De La Prida, is being recognized for her decades of helping multilingual students succeed in the classroom.

    De La Prida received the 2025 Hispanic Advocacy Award from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Hispanic Advisory Council for her leadership and community engagement.

    A proud daughter of Cuban and Peruvian immigrants, De La Prida has spent more than 25 years in education — first in Broward County and now in Hillsborough — supporting English learners and the teachers who serve them.

    What You Need To Know

    • Jessica De La Prida received the 2025 Hispanic Advocacy Award from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Hispanic Advisory Council for her leadership and community engagement

    • A proud daughter of Cuban and Peruvian immigrants, De La Prida has spent more than 25 years in education — first in Broward County and now in Hillsborough — supporting English learners and the teachers who serve them

    • Her work comes at a crucial time — according to the National Center for Education Statistics, English learners accounted for 10.6% of all public school students in 2021, up from 9.4% in 2011. That number is expected to rise significantly by 2030


    “We want to ensure that as our students are learning how to speak English,” De La Prida said. “They’re also learning how to read and write, how to do math and other content areas.”

    Her work comes at a crucial time.

    According to the National Center for Education Statistics, English learners accounted for 10.6% of all public school students in 2021, up from 9.4% in 2011. That number is expected to increase significantly by 2030.

    Education experts say the growing population of English learners has created a nationwide shortage of ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) teachers, leaving schools struggling to meet demand.

    De La Prida said collaboration among teachers, families and community partners is key to ensuring that students learning English don’t fall behind in other subjects.

    Beyond the classroom, she works closely with organizations like the Greater Haitian Chamber of Commerce of Tampa to help immigrant families understand their rights and navigate the school system.

    “The Haitian community is very close to my heart,” De La Prida said. “Collaboration is key to helping families understand how vital their role is in their child’s education.”

    For De La Prida, education remains the foundation of the American dream her parents sought when they came to the United States.

    “My parents came to this country so that I could have an education,” she said. “Education opens doors — it’s what connects families, cultures and communities.”

    Her recognition during Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates not only her career, but also her commitment to ensuring that language is never a barrier to success.

     

     

    Jessica De La Prida received the 2025 Hispanic Advocacy Award from the Sheriff’s Hispanic Advisory Council. (Courtesy: Sheriff’s Hispanic Advisory Council.)

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Charlotte food truck owner shares Mexican culture through food

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte woman’s food truck is not only serving food, it is putting her Mexican culture on a plate.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Kimberly Bazan opened El Veneno in 2023

    •  She specializes in serving food from Mexico City

    •  Bazan’s food truck travels around Charlotte


    “My family is from Mexico City,” Kimberly Bazan said. “We would visit Mexico City every year when I was younger.”

    Bazan has no formal culinary training but learned to cook by watching her father and grandmother in the kitchen. In 2023, she opened her food truck, El Veneno, where she puts her own spin on her family’s recipes.

    “We take a lot of time to put in the effort to do different specials that highlight other foods from different regions,” Bazan said.

    Bazan specializes in serving food you can find on the streets of Mexico City.

    “We do moles,” she said. “We do ceviche. We do a whole bunch of other street food that’s not super popular.”

    Bazan is known for serving black al pastor, a marinated pork used in tacos that is typically red.

    “The marinade that we use for it is not anything new,” she said. “It’s a prehistoric recipe. It’s called recardo negro. We’re the only ones who do it on the East Coast and in the Carolinas.”

    These dishes have built a community that now follows Bazan as she takes her truck around Charlotte.

    “It feels nice that people feel like we’re paving the way for a new way of dining in the city,” she said.

    As Bazan forges her own path in Charlotte’s culinary scene, she holds her family’s roots close and hopes to honor her culture in every dish. 

    “I feel like it’s our job as people in the restaurant industry and as chefs to show people how to dine, show them new things and how things should be eaten as opposed to just catering to their every want and need,” she said. “It is history. It’s culture. I feel like if we change every little thing about food just to make people happy, then we’re going to lose part of our culture.”

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    Chloe Salsameda

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  • The DC region is becoming more diverse. Where are Latinos moving? – WTOP News

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    The D.C. region is becoming increasingly diverse, and it’s drawing a large number of Latinos because of the opportunities available, experts said.

    WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region.

    The D.C. region is becoming increasingly diverse, and it’s drawing a large number of Latinos in because of the opportunities available, experts said.

    According to a WTOP analysis of 2024 census data released this summer, every D.C.-area suburb added to its Hispanic population. In Virginia, Fairfax County reported the largest increase of people who identify as Hispanic. In Maryland, Prince George’s County saw the biggest hike.

    Gabriel Moreno, chief executive officer of the Maryland-based immigration nonprofit Luminus Network, said census data revealed that in many cases, children are being born to at least one of two parents who identify as Hispanic.

    Part of the growth, Moreno said, can be attributed to people telling family members and friends that there’s a large Latino population in the D.C. region.

    In-state college tuition after graduating from high school is also an attractive perk, and because of the large existing population, it’s “a lot easier for folks that are trying to learn English in a space where they’re also comfortable with their native language,” Moreno said.

    Takoma Park and Silver Spring in Maryland stand out as areas with concentrated Latino growth, Moreno said. In Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, there are more politicians who identify as Hispanic or Latino, which means “if they have an issue in their community, in their neighborhoods, they feel more comfortable, likely reaching out to someone that looks like them,” he said.

    Frederick County, Maryland, added about 1,700 people to its Hispanic population last year, according to census data. Montgomery County added more than 6,500 people, and Prince George’s County added almost 10,000.

    In Virginia, Arlington added 1,323 people who identified as Hispanic. Fairfax County added more than 4,700, Loudoun County added 1,388 and Prince William County added 3,363, according to the 2024 census data.

    Terry Clower, director at George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis, said the region is an attractive place to settle down because of opportunity.

    The D.C. region is largely wealthy, despite the challenges it’s been experiencing, Clower said. That means many residents spend money in restaurants, for landscaping and repairing homes, “which are those occupations that are most easily accessible for recent immigrants,” he said.

    While Clower said some may consider that a downside, “in the reality, it’s a part of what we need to grow. You want to grow your economy. You want to grow things.”

    In the years after the pandemic, Clower said there was a “real surge” of international migration. It was dominated by people coming to the region from Central or South America, he said, a trend that’s been true “for a long time.”

    Most migrants are “not coming in to purchase homes,” Clower said; and therefore they’re not directly impacting the demand of houses for sale.

    Moreno, meanwhile, said many families are returning to the multifamily home model. There could be two or three generations living in a home, largely because of housing costs.

    “You’re starting to see a lot of family units kind of stay together, and it actually gives them a better position as far as, for example, buying a house,” Moreno said.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Scott Gelman

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  • The DC region is becoming more diverse. Where are Latinos moving? – WTOP News

    [ad_1]

    The D.C. region is becoming increasingly diverse, and it’s drawing a large number of Latinos because of the opportunities available, experts said.

    WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region.

    The D.C. region is becoming increasingly diverse, and it’s drawing a large number of Latinos in because of the opportunities available, experts said.

    According to a WTOP analysis of 2024 census data released this summer, every D.C.-area suburb added to its Hispanic population. In Virginia, Fairfax County reported the largest increase of people who identify as Hispanic. In Maryland, Prince George’s County saw the biggest hike.

    Gabriel Moreno, chief executive officer of the Maryland-based immigration nonprofit Luminus Network, said census data revealed that in many cases, children are being born to at least one of two parents who identify as Hispanic.

    Part of the growth, Moreno said, can be attributed to people telling family members and friends that there’s a large Latino population in the D.C. region.

    In-state college tuition after graduating from high school is also an attractive perk, and because of the large existing population, it’s “a lot easier for folks that are trying to learn English in a space where they’re also comfortable with their native language,” Moreno said.

    Takoma Park and Silver Spring in Maryland stand out as areas with concentrated Latino growth, Moreno said. In Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, there are more politicians who identify as Hispanic or Latino, which means “if they have an issue in their community, in their neighborhoods, they feel more comfortable, likely reaching out to someone that looks like them,” he said.

    Frederick County, Maryland, added about 1,700 people to its Hispanic population last year, according to census data. Montgomery County added more than 6,500 people, and Prince George’s County added almost 10,000.

    In Virginia, Arlington added 1,323 people who identified as Hispanic. Fairfax County added more than 4,700, Loudoun County added 1,388 and Prince William County added 3,363, according to the 2024 census data.

    Terry Clower, director at George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis, said the region is an attractive place to settle down because of opportunity.

    The D.C. region is largely wealthy, despite the challenges it’s been experiencing, Clower said. That means many residents spend money in restaurants, for landscaping and repairing homes, “which are those occupations that are most easily accessible for recent immigrants,” he said.

    While Clower said some may consider that a downside, “in the reality, it’s a part of what we need to grow. You want to grow your economy. You want to grow things.”

    In the years after the pandemic, Clower said there was a “real surge” of international migration. It was dominated by people coming to the region from Central or South America, he said, a trend that’s been true “for a long time.”

    Most migrants are “not coming in to purchase homes,” Clower said; and therefore they’re not directly impacting the demand of houses for sale.

    Moreno, meanwhile, said many families are returning to the multifamily home model. There could be two or three generations living in a home, largely because of housing costs.

    “You’re starting to see a lot of family units kind of stay together, and it actually gives them a better position as far as, for example, buying a house,” Moreno said.

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Scott Gelman

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  • DC United’s Aaron Herrera embraces his Guatemala roots with his American identity – WTOP News

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    The D.C. United right back started his pro career representing the United States. Now, the 28-year-old is part of a revitalized Guatemalan side looking to qualify for its first-ever World Cup.

    WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region. 

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    DC United’s Aaron Herrera embraces his Guatemala roots

    On a dark, quiet evening in Panama City, Aaron Herrera was relaxing with his teammates of the Guatemala men’s soccer national team by playing cards before resting for a World Cup qualifying match.

    Suddenly, a large truck pulled up next to the team’s hotel, blaring loud music into their bedrooms. After several minutes, hotel staff removed the truck from the property. As Herrera and his teammates attempted to laugh about the situation, multiple fireworks exploded outside their windows.

    “I think it shows how passionate the fans are, and the lengths they’re willing to go to help their team out,” Herrera said. “I respect it. It’s something that shows how passionate these fans are in these countries.”

    The tactic — known in Latin American nations as a way to keep opposing players from resting before game day — was something Herrera had mentally prepared for before joining Guatemala. The D.C. United right back started his career representing the United States before being persuaded to switch allegiances to play for Los Chapines.

    Now, the 28-year-old is part of a revitalized Guatemalan side looking to qualify for its first-ever World Cup.

    Making the switch

    Born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, by a Guatemalan father and an American mother, Herrera became a U.S. prospect early. Before playing three seasons with the University of New Mexico, he played on multiple U.S. national youth teams and was a part of the Real Salt Lake Youth Academy.

    “Growing up, the dream was always a play for the U.S.,” Herrera said. “They were the team that was here. They were the team that I watched all the time.”

    Once he turned pro, he continued to receive call-ups from the U.S., including being named to the 2021 Olympic qualifying team for the Tokyo Games.

    However, after making only one appearance on the senior team in 2021 and the growing depth chart at his position, Herrera began examining his international career. A possible option was appealing to FIFA, soccer’s governing body, to make a one-time switch of allegiance to representing Guatemala.

    “I didn’t think too far into it, because I didn’t know that it was a real possibility,” Herrera said.

    The push grew as Herrera’s then-Salt Lake teammate Rubio Rubin pressured the defender to fill out the paperwork to join Guatemala. Rubin, who also played in the U.S. youth system, had also elected to make the switch to join the Central American side.

    “(Rubin) would bug me every day before training and stuff, being like, ‘Hey, when you going to come play for Guate? We’re waiting for you,’” Herrera said, admitting that Rubin helped with submitting the paperwork.

    Yet, concerns remained. While Herrera grew up with a Spanish-speaking father, his Spanish was, admittedly, “not very good.”

    Guatemalan officials still persisted, with coaches and Rubin assuring him that he would fit in perfectly.

    It would take one more year before Herrera completed the process and joined Los Chapines.

    “Everyone over there is really nice,” he said. “They welcomed me with open arms from Day One.”

    Guatemala-American balance

    Since making his debut on July 15, 2023, Herrera has made 18 appearances for Guatemala, becoming a focal point in its attack as a wing player.

    Over the summer, Herrera and his teammates led Guatemala to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament after an upset victory over Canada. During that match, he shined with a diving header save in the first half and scoring his penalty kick in the shootout, earning the nickname “El MVP guatemalteco” by the TURN commentary team.

    His status as an American-born player within the Guatemalan national team places extra responsibility to perform in high-pressure moments like the Gold Cup. Herrera said he embraces it, understanding that his American identity will go wherever he goes.

    He said the switch helped him grow up and embrace all of his roots.

    When he’s in Guatemala, he enjoys eating the local cuisine and spending time with his family. However, he still carries some of his American flair with him.

    Herrera admits that he’s working on his “broken Spanish” while his teammates join him in speaking English. During workouts, he plays country or rap music, surprising his entire team’s delegation.

    “It’s special being able to blend the two,” Herrera said. “It’s a lot of fun being able to sort of embrace both cultures, both ways.”

    Aaron Herrera of Guatemala kicks the ball against the United States during the first half the Gold Cup 2025: Semifinal round at Energizer Park on July 2, 2025 in St. Louis, Missouri.
    (Getty Images/Kyle Rivas)

    Getty Images/Kyle Rivas

    Canada forward Tani Oluwaseyi, left, and Guatemala defender Aaron Herrera (7) battle for the ball during the second half a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Minneapolis.
    (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

    AP Photo/Abbie Parr

    Guatemala’s defender Aaron Herrera celebrates his team’s win at the end the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group D football match between Guadeloupe and Guatemala at the Red Bull Arena, in Harrison, New Jersey on July 4, 2023.
    (AFP via Getty Images/KENA BETANCUR)

    AFP via Getty Images/KENA BETANCUR

    United States defender Aaron Herrera (2) heads the ball in front of Trinidad and Tobago forward Jabari Mitchell (11) during the second half an international friendly soccer match, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, in Orlando, Fla.
    (AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

    AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack

    Guatemala defender Aaron Herrera, left, and United States forward Patrick Agyemang battle for control of the ball during the second half a CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal soccer match, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in St. Louis.
    (AP/Scott Kane)

    AP/Scott Kane

    Aaron Herrera #7 of Guatemala controls the ball against Cuba during the first half at DRV PNK Stadium on June 27, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
    (Getty Images/Megan Briggs)

    Getty Images/Megan Briggs

    Personal growth

    The switch allows Herrera to make trips to Guatemala more frequently, even if it is for soccer-related reasons. Before that, he had last visited the country when he was 6 years old. Family members travel from a neighborhood in Guatemala City to watch him play.

    His father, Diego Herrera, thinks “it’s the best thing ever” that his son is on the Guatemalan national team, Aaron Herrera said. Diego arrived to the U.S. at 15 years old, so he did not have the chance to become a professional soccer player.

    Now, Diego travels to all over North America and the Caribbean with his mother, Aaron’s grandmother, to watch his son play.

    “For him, he’s able to sort of live his dream through me a little bit,” Aaron Herrera said. “All the fans know who he is. … He’s got this big bald head that everyone can spot from a mile away, and so he’s taking pictures with all the fans.”

    When he is back in D.C., Herrera said he meets a Guatemala fan “at least once a day.” His wife Lily helps “shell-shocked” fans take their photo with her husband.

    Once, a group of construction workers near his home in D.C. pulled over their truck to meet Herrera and thank him for joining Guatemala.

    For Herrera, representing Guatemala is “very special to me.”

    Now, all of his focus shifts toward helping Guatemala qualify for the 2026 World Cup. While it is a personal goal to play in the tournament, helping Guatemala qualify would be “the biggest thing that I could possibly achieve in my career,” Herrera said.

    “I’ve grown a ton as a player, as a teammate, as a friend, and just overall as a person,” Herrera said. “I think it’s a big credit to Guatemala and them welcoming me there.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jose Umana

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  • Judge shares thoughts about Hispanic Heritage Month

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Myriam Irizarry was appointed as the first Hispanic judge in Pinellas County in 2015 and served in her position until 2020.

    What You Need To Know

    • Myriam Irizarry was the first Hispanic judge in Pinellas County 

    • She said Hispanic Heritage Month is a way to celebrate achievements and add to what makes our country great

    • Irizarry still serves as a senior judge


    She then retired but still serves as a senior judge. That means she serves part-time when the courts need help.

    “The judicial system should represent the makeup of their community. And so, although I was the first, I hope not to be the last,” Irizarry said.

    Now she is using her free time for some of her other passions like writing poetry.

    Irizarry is currently writing a book with her daughter, “The Fragrance of Jesus.”

    “Jesus, my Lord, your fragrance revives my soul and purifies my heart,” she said while reading from her notes. “Your essence fills me with your presence from which I shall never part.”

    It means a lot to Irizarry that she was able to reach her goals and credits her mother for believing in her.

    She wrote her first book, “The Power of Perseverance,” about growing up in a shack in Puerto Rico, hardships in New York City, and eventually becoming a lawyer, then a judge.

    Irizarry said her mother raised her and her siblings with a dream for each of them to achieve.

    “Her tenacity, her grit, her faith in each and every one of us, we were able to overcome,” she said. “So this is a tribute to her as well.”

    Though Irizarry is retired, she sees Hispanic Heritage Month as a way to celebrate achievements and add to what makes our country great.  

    “We get to bring out our culture in such a way that we can showcase how we integrate into the American culture and the richness in our diversity, what it brings to this country,” she said.  

    Irizarry hopes that her story can inspire others to follow their dreams and achieve what they desire.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Montgomery Co. Council member gets emotional during Hispanic Heritage Month ceremony – WTOP News

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    When the Montgomery County Council held its Hispanic Heritage Month ceremony Tuesday, Council member Gabe Albornoz gave his colleagues a heads up — it would be emotional for him.

    WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region.

    When the Montgomery County Council held its Hispanic Heritage Month ceremony Tuesday, Council member Gabe Albornoz gave his colleagues a heads up — it would be emotional for him.

    Albornoz, the son of immigrants, held up a copy of the program for his mother’s 1971 naturalization ceremony.

    After taking a deep breath, he began to read from a letter to his mother from then-Rep. Paul Sarbanes. His voice shaking, he read, “I want to congratulate you … on becoming an American citizen.”

    He also held up an English-Spanish dictionary given to him by his grandmother. Albornoz joked that he had always assumed she gave it to him because she was decluttering her meticulously kept home, but said, “I realize all these years later, that she didn’t want me to forget where I came from.”

    “This is the most important Hispanic Heritage Month of my lifetime,” Albornoz said. “It’s hard to be in this room and not feel the sadness and the anger and the tension of what’s happening and transpiring in this country right now.”

    “What warms my heart, and what gives me hope is all of you. Look at this room!”

    Albornoz announced a few weeks ago he would not be running for reelection to the council, saying in a Facebook post, “Serving the county that I love and have proudly called home my entire life has truly been an honor. It has been both humbling and deeply meaningful to represent this community as an elected official.”

    He noted Tuesday that the Hispanic community is made up of people from all walks of life, including entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers and scientists.

    “We have the best of the best,” he said. “We are here, we are proud and we are not leaving!”

    After concluding his speech, Albornoz turned to his colleague on the council, Natali Fani-González, who gave him a hug before she began her remarks with a shake of her head.

    “I am so proud to live in Montgomery County, and … I’m very proud to serve with each one of you,” she said of her fellow council members.

    Like Albornoz, Fani-González described the concerns she has for the immigrant community in Montgomery County as the federal government continues a crackdown on illegal immigration that’s swept up citizens in its enforcement actions.

    “I’ve got to say, it’s hard for me as an immigrant to recognize this country today,” Fani-González said. “I think we need now more than ever we need to embrace our culture.”

    Noting Montgomery County’s reputation as a community that prides itself on its diversity, she said, “We are in a very difficult time, and it will take all of us to keep working together and keep defending what we have today.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Kate Ryan

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  • Hijas del Campo works to help farmworkers

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    Five years ago, a group of women came together to help farmworkers near Brentwood. Their work has since flourished into a full-scale community service operation.

    The group, Hijas del Campo, provides farmworkers in Contra Costa County with food and clothing, school supplies and mentoring for children, and legal and health services. And now they’re getting into housing.

    NBC Bay Area’s Damian Trujillo has more in the video report above.

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    Damian Trujillo

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  • The world’s longest mural can be found underground in Downtown DC – WTOP News

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    In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” we’re heading to the Organization of American States building in Downtown D.C. to get an exclusive tour of the “Roots of Peace” mural.

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    The world’s longest mural can be found underground in Downtown DC

    Walking by the Washington Monument on D.C.’s National Mall, you might never know it’s just beneath your feet.

    In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” we’re heading to the Organization of American States building in Downtown D.C. to get an exclusive tour of “Roots of Peace,” the world’s longest underground mural, during Hispanic Heritage Month.

    Located in the basement of the building, “Roots of Peace” was painted by Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró in 1960, and has been refurbished on multiple occasions since.

    It’s more than 530 feet long, only slightly shorter than the Washington Monument if it was laid on its side, and emphasizes themes of tolerance, respect for liberties and cultural exchange — among others. The mural connects two different buildings on the Organization of American States campus. You enter underneath 17th Street and reemerge on 18th Street.

    If you don’t know, the Organization of American States is one of the world’s oldest international organizations formed in the 1880s, with 34 member nations from the Western Hemisphere participating today. Many of the participating member states are Latin American countries. Ambassadors, appointed by the governments of member nations, get together on the campus to talk about international policy and intergovernmental cooperation.

    Pops of vibrant color, with connecting black lines outlining faces and outstretched arms, make this creation, inspired by abstract artists such as Picasso, a one-of-a-kind piece.

    “Roots of Peace” was initially just meant for employees and ambassadors of the organization to view. But now, it’s open to the public for limited touring — if you’re lucky enough to grab a spot!

    To learn more about how you can see “Roots of Peace” for yourself, go to Eventbrite to get tickets.

    Hear “Matt About Town” first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM!

    If you have a story idea you’d like Matt to cover, email him, or chat with him on Instagram and TikTok.

    Check out all “Matt About Town” episodes here!

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Matt Kaufax

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  • DC area’s Hispanic leaders reflect on growing community, ‘having a target on their back’ – WTOP News

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    While the D.C. region’s Hispanic population has grown significantly in recent years, the number of elected leaders representing the area hasn’t quite caught up.

    WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region.

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    DC area’s Hispanic leaders reflect on growing community, ‘having a target on their back’

    While the Hispanic population has grown significantly in recent years — it’s believed more than a million residents in the D.C. region are Hispanic — the number of elected leaders representing the area at the state and local levels is significantly smaller.

    And there are no Hispanic leaders representing any part of the D.C. region on Capitol Hill. But the small number of elected officials who are Hispanic say that will be changing in the years ahead.

    “It has grown, but not fast enough,” Montgomery County Council member Natali Fani-González said.

    Statewide in Maryland, she and Gabe Albernoz are the only county council members who identify as Hispanic.

    Other elected leaders who identify as Hispanic agreed they need more representation in local government, and said they believe they’re on the right track.

    “We’ve seen just a wealth of folks stepping up and saying, ‘We need to be the leaders that our community deserves,’” Fairfax County Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez said.

    He’s one of two Hispanic members of that legislative body.

    “What is encouraging is that we are starting to see more, we are adding more Hispanic voices, and that’s a good sign,” Jimenez said.

    ‘It’s this balance’

    Deni Taveras, a Maryland state delegate from the Hyattsville area, was born in New York but has roots in the Dominican Republic. (Courtesy Deni Taveras)

    Both Fani-González and Jimenez were born in other countries. Deni Taveras, a Maryland state delegate from the Hyattsville area, was born in New York but has roots in the Dominican Republic.

    All three said they believe federal policies are targeting those they represent, requiring them to be more considerate about how they speak about certain issues.

    “We have to walk very sensitively, because it is a very sensitive time that we’re in,” Taveras said.

    She said an additional worry was getting name-checked by the president. Back in April, the White House released a statement about sanctuary cities that mentioned Taveras while referencing politicians who are “putting lives at risk.”

    Council member Natali Fani-González eating an empanada at Caramelo Bakery in Wheaton
    Council member Natali Fani-González said dining on empanadas, like this one at Caramelo Bakery in Wheaton, is one way she celebrates her Latino heritage. (Courtesy Natali Fani-González)

    “That’s a threat to my life at this at this stage,” she said, addressing the current political divide and heightened instances of political violence.

    Taveras said she worries about being targeted over her legislative actions or beliefs.

    “It’s this balance between wanting to help the folks and residents in my community, but at the same time, I don’t want to put a target on their back,” he said. “If I come out and I’m extremely vocal, I’ll be fine. But what happens to the community?”

    Fani-González said she understands the fear of deportation right now, since she said that nearly happened to her when she was a teenager. Now she’s an American citizen, but she also said she believes things would have transpired differently if she was trying to obtain citizenship today.

    “This past year has not been easy. I’m just going to tell you that right up front, with everything happening at the federal level,” Fani-González said.

    “I feel this huge responsibility of making sure that people in my community, regardless of where they were born, feel safe, feel proud about their cultural heritage, but also feel that they’re welcome, and then they can function in society and feel free.”

    Voting power coming soon

    But whatever fear exists today is also paired with optimism that a big field of Hispanic leaders, and voters, is growing up around the D.C. region. While there are plenty of Hispanic residents who aren’t eligible to vote in U.S. elections right now, Tavares said there are plenty of people who are eligible but aren’t registered. She said she believes that community could harness more power now if it wanted to.

    “We do have over 100,000 immigrants that are eligible, that have green cards, and we just need them to get them to loosen that fear, to become citizens, and then from there, to get them to vote,” she said.

    But if it doesn’t happen now, or in the next few years, there’s belief it will happen in the future.

    Fairfax County Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez
    Andres Jimenez is one of two Hispanic members on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. (Courtesy Andres Jimenez)

    “There’s a significant number of Latinos who are not United States citizens,” Fani-González said. “But there’s also a lot of them who are. … It’s amazing every time I go to a different middle school, high school here in Montgomery County to speak to kids … to see how many children who are Latinos were born here already, compared to when I was in high school.”

    While the three leaders who spoke to WTOP are all Democrats, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican whose mother came to the U.S. from Cuba, became the first Hispanic-American to win a statewide race in Virginia when he was elected in 2021.

    “If your family came to this country seeking hope and opportunity, there’s a good chance your family is a lot like my family,” he said during a Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation last year. “We know Latinos are the backbones of so many of our communities.”

    But as the number of Hispanic candidates running for office grows nationwide, Jimenez said that brings no guarantee of increasing political clout. He said the current group of leaders has to do its part too.

    “We just need to continue to make sure that we’re inspiring tomorrow’s leaders today,” he said.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    John Domen

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  • CLUES opens first-of-its-kind child care business incubator in St. Paul

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    Thursday evening, many gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Minnesota’s first-ever child care business incubator, designed specifically to launch four Latina-owned family childcare businesses. 

    The bold new plan is led by CLUES, the state’s largest Latino-led nonprofit. The nonprofit began designing the childcare incubator pilot three years ago after extensive research found the community wanted help maneuvering through the licensing process. 

    “This new model provides an opportunity to have four microbusinesses under one roof so they can start their journey,” said CLUES CEO Ruby Lee.

    Lee emphasized that this model will increase access to culturally specific childcare options for folks in the Twin Cities metro.

    The program provides a three-year coaching program to help the four women gain skills and get connected to resources with the goal of eventually expanding into their own space and making way for another cohort. 

    Raquel Mosquera is among the women stepping into this new chapter. She immigrated from Ecuador about two years ago. Looking for opportunities to provide for her family, she found this program. 

    “The program was a blessing, open door for me,” Mosquera said. “Child care business more than just business, but a legacy for me.”

    In her classroom, infants to elementary-aged children will learn culture and Spanish.

    “We want to preserve the language and heritage that comes with Spanish language,”  Mosquera said. “We want children to know and love their language and culture.”

    While she’s teaching the youngest, she too will receive personalized coaching, setting her up for success. 

     Lee says the model is a win-win for everyone and an investment in our children who are the professionals of tomorrow.

    The program officially opens mid-October with a capacity of serving up to 54 children.

    Ubah Ali

    Ubah Ali joined WCCO-TV in September 2023. She makes history in Minnesota as the first Somali-American TV reporter in the Twin Cities.

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    Ubah Ali

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  • ‘How can you not have a party’: Celebration at Fiesta DC continues amid immigration enforcement – WTOP News

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    D.C. is home to one of the largest Latino festivals in the nation. Since the 1970s, Fiesta D.C. has celebrated Latin American culture, cuisine and traditions.

    WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region.

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    Celebration at Fiesta DC continues amid immigration enforcement

    In D.C., the third weekend in September means that Pennsylvania Avenue right in front of the Capitol transforms into one of the nation’s largest Latino festivals.

    Since the 1970s, Fiesta D.C. has celebrated Latin American culture, cuisine and traditions. The two-day festival also features a Parade of Nations on Sunday.

    This is the first Fiesta D.C. since increased federal immigration enforcement and the deployment of the National Guard in the District.

    Maria Patricia Corrales, president of Fiesta D.C., told WTOP all local and federal agencies have approved for the event since January and no changes have been made to its permit.

    While a spokesperson with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told WTOP in a statement that claims it intends to “target Hispanic heritage celebrations for immigration enforcement are false,” some attendees admitted they were concerned.

    “I was and I can see the difference,” said Jose Sanchez.

    The vice president of the Gaithersburg, Maryland, chapter of the Latin American Motorcycle Association (LAMA), pointed out that the attendance was smaller early on and the rain was not helping.

    “I was concerned,” said Sanchez. “We are here to support, and we are here to show up, and I think that that’s even more important than whatever is going on in the news.”

    Also at the LAMA booth was Fredericksburg chapter vice president Lorraine Delgado, who said she was not concerned at all.

    “I’m hoping that this parade tomorrow we get great weather, and as many participants and observers and you know people as we can,” said Delgado.

    The group from LAMA usually starts off the parade, said Delgado.

    During the festival, the multiple stages are packed with live performances from singers and dancers, including from Vavá United School of Samba.

    “We bring a little bit of that real carnival feeling to Washington, D.C.,” said Lauren Chung.

    The secretary of the Samba school, pointed out what makes Fiesta D.C. special.

    “It’s an amazing exchange of cultures where all the Latin American countries get to come out and be proud,” said Chung.

    Along with Chung, was the school’s president Katie Kirkpatrick, who has been attending the festival for years. She said one of the things she loves about D.C. is how it’s home to people from so many countries and cultures.

    “You have people from Brazil, from Honduras, from El Salvador,” said Kirkpatrick. “They’re into music, they’re into food. I mean, how can you not have a party?”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jimmy Alexander

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  • Fiesta DC prepares to entertain as ICE, National Guard concerns still loom large – WTOP News

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    Organizers for the largest Hispanic festival in the D.C. region said while plans to continue the two-day event this weekend remain, some of its workers have expressed concerns for their well-being amid increased federal immigration enforcement and the deployment of the D.C. National Guard.

    WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region. 

    Organizers for the largest Hispanic festival in the D.C. region said while plans to continue the two-day event this weekend remain, some of its workers have expressed concerns for their well-being amid increased federal immigration enforcement and the deployment of the National Guard in D.C.

    Maria Patricia Corrales, president of Fiesta D.C., told WTOP all local and federal agencies have approved for the event since January, and no changes have been made to its permit.

    However, she has received feedback from vendors and performers on their safety and security. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have increased the number of arrests they’ve performed nationwide since the start of the second Trump administration. In August, during President Donald Trump’s law enforcement takeover of D.C., more than 40% of arrests made were related to immigration, according to The Associated Press.

    Delegations from all 16 participating countries as well as those who work the event were given the option to opt out due to the current climate, Corrales said. While they have never asked to show documentation of the immigration status of their performers, all delegations have been receiving daily updates on possible security searches.

    “If you have concern of coming out, please do not come,” Corrales said.

    Nationwide ICE concerns comes to DC

    Over the years. Fiesta D.C. has brought thousands of people to Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate Latino culture through food, live performances and a beauty pageant. It is capped off with a parade featuring traditional outfits and dances from all over Latin America.

    However, the growing number of ICE arrests have made communities locally and nationwide worried of having Hispanic Heritage Month events due to safety concerns. Recently, officials in neighboring Montgomery County, Maryland canceled a Hispanic Heritage Month event in Wheaton, citing concerns for those who would attend amid increased ICE raids. Others have elected to continue their festivities, including the Manassas Latino Festival in Virginia.

    Following the cancellation of Salvadoreñisimo Festival, an annual event in Gaithersburg, Maryland in June, Corrales has insisted that Fiesta D.C. will continue as scheduled. She met with a representative from Homeland Security in August to work on parking logistics for the festival’s performers and has spoken with D.C. police on their permit. However, no discussion on searches or possible raids during the festival were discussed.

    Following the end of the federal takeover of D.C.’s police force, Mayor Muriel Bowser said that the District’s police department would no longer work with ICE as “immigration enforcement is not what MPD does.”

    However, concerns remain.

    National Guard troops are welcomed to come to the festival and enjoy the festivities, Corrales said. However, if random searches need to be executed, she is “praying to god” that the event goes off “as calmly as (it) usually is.”

    “If they feel that they need to come and search the identity of every single (attendee), they will have to do a long, long, long line to do it,” she said.

    ‘I cannot participate this year’

    Many people who’ve worked on Fiesta D.C. in the past have elected not to participate at all this year due to immigration concerns.

    Sulema Pacheco, who handles the Honduran delegation of representatives and performers, told WTOP some people, including those with proper documentation, have elected to stay away and will either support from afar or monetarily through donations.

    “Because of this, some people who have been with us before said, ‘I’m so sorry but I cannot participate this year,’’ she said in Spanish. She later added “We cannot expose people or force them to participate but we cannot show fear.”

    In a normal year, the Honduran delegation would include upward to 20 dancers and several representatives from aboard to form a large group for the festival and parade. This year, she said she expects to have less than half its usual size.

    “It is likely we will have 4 or 5 pairs of dancers performing,” Pacheco said. “That’s if they don’t change their minds at the last minute.”

    Both Pacheco and Corrales confirm that requests have been made by people outside of the festival’s board to cancel the annual festival due to the concerns of possible ICE raids.

    However, Corrales said the show must go on.

    “We understand there is a risk of our community, but we have to embrace every single challenge,” she said.

    As done every year, Fiesta D.C. will highlight a Latin American nation with special events and performances. Honduras will be the highlighted nation with a dancing “marathon” revolving around Punta — the country’s native dance.

    Despite the smaller than usual attendance, Pacheco said all plans for her and the rest of delegation are a go, starting with a beauty pageant on Friday. She calls for the region to support the festival in person by attending to send a message: “we have the right to say and do what we want.”

    “If only 2 or 3 of us go with the Honduran flag, our country will be represented,” Pacheco said.

    WTOP has reached out to Homeland Security’s ICE office and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice for comment.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jose Umana

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  • Montgomery County cancels Hispanic Heritage Festival, drawing criticism from council member – WTOP News

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    Montgomery County, Maryland, has canceled what was to be an annual Hispanic Heritage Festival in Wheaton, citing concerns about community safety amid increased federal immigration enforcement.

    Montgomery County, Maryland, has canceled what was meant to be its second annual Hispanic Heritage Festival in Wheaton, citing concerns about community safety amid increased federal immigration enforcement.

    The decision, announced during Hispanic Heritage Month, has sparked criticism from some local leaders who said the move sends the wrong message.

    “It was not an easy decision to make,” said Luisa Cardona, assistant chief administrative officer for County Executive Marc Elrich.

    While Cardona said the county believes the Hispanic community deserves to be celebrated, the decision was made out of caution and concern for the well-being of those who would attend the event.

    “We didn’t think that a festival at this time was the best medium, due to growing fears and concerns of federal immigration enforcement,” Cardona said. “The fear in the community was palpable.”

    Last year marked the first time Montgomery County hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month festival in Wheaton.

    Cardona said concerns were raised this year by local businesses, nonprofits and county partners, including the Latino Health Initiative. The festival, which would have taken place at Marian Fryer Town Plaza, was seen by some as a potential target for immigration enforcement activity.

    “A lot of our partners expressed really deep concerns … fears that, by creating this event, the community would be targeted. And that is certainly the last thing we wanted to do,” Cardona said.

    Instead of a public gathering, the county is offering grants of up to $2,000 to Wheaton-area elementary schools to host their own cultural events. Schools must apply, and the funding can be used to bring in performers of Hispanic heritage who reflect Hispanic culture.

    “We thought about our local schools as trusted community spaces … to celebrate local artists and performers in safe community spaces,” Cardona said.

    Each student will also receive a take-home packet with a craft project and resource information for immigrant families, including housing, legal aid and health care access.

    But the canceling of the festival caught Montgomery County Council member Natali Fani-González off guard.

    “I was shocked when I heard that the county executive canceled that Hispanic Heritage Month festival in my district for no reason,” she said.

    Fani-González, who represents Wheaton and is originally from Venezuela, said the county should not let fear dictate its decisions.

    “There is no space for fear in my community,” she said.

    Fani-González said she was not consulted before the decision was made. She added that several events have taken place safely, including a festival in Glenmont this past Sunday. Several other events are also scheduled in the coming weeks, including the Wheaton Arts Parade.

    “This is a time for communities to come together, support each other, support local businesses and restaurants that need help right now. Hiding and canceling things is not the way to go,” she said.

    The county said it will revisit the idea of holding the festival again next year.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Mike Murillo

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  • San Francisco’s Lowrider Parade brings hundreds of cruising cars to the Mission District

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    Cars from every decade sparkle during San Francisco’s Lowrider Parade



    Cars from every decade sparkle during San Francisco’s Lowrider Parade

    02:49

    San Francisco’s annual Lowrider Parade, a decades-long tradition in the city’s Mission District, was shown for the first time on live television on Saturday.

    The parade on Mission Street was part of the city’s celebration of Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month and showcased lowriders from across the country, with a special focus on women-led car clubs. 

    In the city that once banned cruising on Mission Street, the parade was presented by the San Francisco Lowrider Council, formed in 1981 to resist the racial profiling of Latinos who reveled in the display of their automobile artwork. It wasn’t until last year that California finally enacted a law prohibiting lowrider bans and anti-cruising ordinances across the Golden State. 

    On Saturday, the San Francisco Lowrider Council united clubs and solo riders to preserve and promote the rich artistry of lowriding. The council has been featured in films, documentaries, music videos, and celebrated at iconic Bay Area events, including championship parades for the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, and San Francisco 49ers. 

    The parade was followed by the Lowrider Hopping Competition, showcasing the hydraulics that enable the lowrider hopping mechanics. Winners in various categories cruised home with $10,000 in cash prizes.

    The entire San Francisco Lowrider Parade and Lowrider Hopping Competition can be rewatched on the CBS News Bay Area YouTube page. 

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    CBS Bay Area

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  • Teen honors Hispanic heritage using jewelry

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A family tradition in Charlotte is shining this Hispanic Heritage Month.

    Valentino Patria, a 13-year-old jewelry maker, is using tagua seeds from palm trees in South America to honor his Latin American roots while helping children thousands of miles away.

    What You Need To Know

    • Valentino Patria uses tagua seeds from palm trees in South America to create brightly colored jewelry 

    • Patria says he learned the craft from his mother and grandmother when he was 4 and that his pieces tell his family’s story

    • A portion of proceeds from Generation Jewelry go toward feeding children in Peru 



    “I normally try to mix the pieces and then see what colors match what colors,” he said.

    Patria designs brightly colored necklaces and bracelets and says the colored seeds are not just beads used for jewelry, they’re also pieces that tell his family’s story.

    “My grandma and my mom used to do this jewelry business, so I said, ‘well, why not continue it, right?’ Because my mom and my grandma had expertise,” Patria said, “and that’s why I called it Generation Jewelry, because it was passed down from my grandma to my mom to me, and now my brother joined.”

    Patria first learned the craft at 4 years old and says his favorite memory was helping his grandmother carry the supplies and learn how to make the jewelry.

    “I love it because I think it kind of feels like a family tradition,” Patria said.

    Patria’s mother, Paola Vargas, carried on the family’s craft and says teaching Patria has been about more than jewelry.

    “Many years ago, my mom had started it in Colombia. Part of me passing it on to them is experiences that I’ve had in life, that they can learn from and they can continue until it’s time for them to live through them,” Vargas said.

    With Venezuelan, Peruvian and Colombian roots, Patria threads his family’s past into the future and says every piece carries his culture and his heart.

    “In my heart, it feels it feels like I’m continuing the legacy. You know, it feels like the next generation. And I really want to be that next jewelry maker for my family,” Patria said.

    Part of the proceeds from Generation Jewelry helps feed children in Peru, a mission that connects Patria more deeply to his heritage.

    For more information about Generation Jewelry, visit the website here.

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    Claudia Puente

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  • ‘Migration at warp speed’: Artists detail fleeing El Salvador in new documentary showing in DC – WTOP News

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    A new documentary tells the story of artists who moved to D.C. after fleeing El Salvador in the 1980s and have found solace in their art forms.

    Edwin dancing on Mount Pleasant Street in D.C.
    (Courtesy “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World”)

    Courtesy “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World”

    In front of All Souls Church
    Many families from El Salvador ended up in D.C., particularly in Mount Pleasant and Adams Morgan.
    (Courtesy “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World”)

    Courtesy “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World”

    Man in a mask
    Aviles said the largest Latin American immigrant group in the region is from El Salvador.
    (Courtesy “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World”)

    Courtesy “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World”

    Cemetery scene in El Salvador
    Aviles believes that the art featured in the film showcases how each artist found some sort of peace.
    (Courtesy “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World”)

    Courtesy “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World”

    Viewers watch the showing
    The film documents how Aviles, and four other artists who relocated to D.C., tried to come to terms with what they’d lived through in El Salvador, and what they were experiencing in their new home.
    (Courtesy “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World”)

    Courtesy “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World”

    Man with a painted face
    Aviles was the primary writer and co-director of the documentary film, “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World,” which will open Oct. 1, during the 36th annual AFI Latin American Film Festival, which runs from now through Oct. 9. 
    (Courtesy “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World”)

    Courtesy “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World”

    WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region. 

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    Artists who fled El Salvador for DC are focus of new documentary

    When he walks down Mount Pleasant Street, in Northwest D.C., Quique Aviles is repeatedly greeted by people who know him, from his decades as a poet, performer and community activist.

    Aviles was the primary writer and co-director of the documentary film, “The Most Beautiful Deaths In The World,” which will open Oct. 1, during the 36th annual AFI Latin American Film Festival, which runs from now through Oct. 9.

    Born in El Salvador, Aviles fled when he was 15, “Because of the civil war that broke out in 1980 between the leftist guerrillas and the military dictators that he been in power for more than 50 years.”

    Many families from El Salvador ended up in D.C., particularly in Mount Pleasant and Adams Morgan.

    “The war kind of put the migration at warp speed,” said Aviles. “When your house is on fire, you run, right? So we ran. And for some reason, a lot of Salvadorans came to D.C.”

    During a WTOP interview, Aviles returned to 3045 15th Street NW, near the intersection of Irving Street and 16th Street.

    “This was the Latin American Youth Center. This was my after-school place. I lived down the street. And this is where I became an artist,” Aviles recalled.

    The youth center was located next door to what was known as the Wilson Center, in the basement of the Central Presbyterian Church, which became a legendary D.C. punk venue through the 1980s.

    “We all had something in common,” said Aviles. “This was a hub of political activism.”

    The film documents how Aviles, and four other artists who relocated to D.C., tried to come to terms with what they’d lived through in El Salvador, and what they were experiencing in their new home.

    “The different types of arts that are featured in the film shows you how each one of us that came from this very troubled situation found some kind of solace, no?”

    Aviles said the largest Latin American immigrant group in the region is from El Salvador.

    “We thought we were just passing by, fleeing the war, and when it’s over we would go back,” said Aviles, “But you fall in love, you get a good job, you buy a house, you have kids, and all of a sudden we had roots here, and we stayed.”

    Today, walking through Mount Pleasant, evidence of the Trump administration’s recent federal law enforcement surge is present in flyers posted on utility boxes and sidewalks.

    “It kind of has this feel, right now, that we’re living in the same situation that made us come here in the first place,” Aviles said. “For us, seeing troops, people my age, that brings back a lot of baggage, and a lot of discomfort.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Neal Augenstein

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  • Orlando’s Hispanic Heritage Month art exhibition is now open 

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    Credit: via City of Orlando

    The city of Orlando is now celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a month-long art exhibition and upcoming community celebration. 

    In keeping with this year’s national theme, “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” Orlando’s Hispanic Heritage Month Art Exhibition will display pieces from 32 local visual artists. 

    The exhibit kicks off with an opening reception (which is currently sold out) and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Terrace Gallery in City Hall. 

    The month of recognition continues as Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioner Tony Ortiz host a community celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Dr. Phillips Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

    Community members are invited to enjoy traditional Hispanic dishes, Latin music and folk-dance performances.

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    We counted seven backflips

    Thanks to chef Wendy Lopez and beverage director Lorena Castro

    Exclusive access to the park at night, with character meet-and-greets, live entertainment and treats



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    Azlyn Cato
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