Hispanic heritage celebrations scheduled

YOUNGSTOWN — Andres Gonzalez, director of the Office of Diversity at the Cleveland Clinic, will give the keynote address at Youngstown State University’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration scheduled for Fridayin Kilcawley Center’s Chestnut Room.

Gonzalez oversees cultural competence and diversity training for the 37,000 employees that make up the Cleveland Clinic Health System. He also supervises the Hispanic/Latino–specific initiatives that include Hispanic/Latino talent acquisition and works closely with the Community Outreach Department to identify new creative ways of providing services and resources to the community.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with light refreshments featuring Hispanic foods. Informational booths hosted by area businesses and organizations will be on display throughout the evening. Also included will be a ceremony featuring flags from 22 Hispanic countries, folkloric dance performances, musical entertainment, a student recognition ceremony, art exhibits and more. The evening will conclude with dancing to music disc jockey Kenny Reyes.

The event, free and open to the public, has the theme “Sharing in the Hispanic Traditions.”

Other local events for Hispanic Heritage Month also have been scheduled.

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