CHCI Announces 37th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Events

USA - English

• Latin America - español

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the nation's leading Hispanic leadership development and educational services organization, today announced the theme Building Our Future, Together for its 37th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in Washington, D.C. on September 30-October 2, 2014. CHCI hosts the nation's premier events commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM), which draw more than 3,000 Latino leaders from across the country to its Public Policy Conference, Reyes of Comedy, and Annual Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. 

"This year's theme and events reflect the growing strength of our community and the tremendous impact Latinos will have on the future success of America," said Esther Aguilera, CHCI President & CEO. "For the past 37 years, CHCI has worked together with its board of directors, advisory council, strategic partners and other stakeholders to successfully build a pipeline of talent by educating, empowering and connecting the next generation of Latino leaders."

Legendary East Los Angeles Chicano rock band Los Lobos will perform at the 37th Annual Awards Gala on October 2. The multiple Grammy Award-winning band, influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2014.

CHCI kicks off its 2014 Hispanic Heritage Month events with its annual Public Policy Conference at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on September 30-October 1. This year, CHCI Chair Rep. Rubén Hinojosa will be joined by Congressional Hispanic Caucus members, administration officials, and national experts and scholars to participate in timely discussions of major policy issues affecting the Latino community.  To complement the conference, CHCI's Ready to Lead (R2L®) program educates and engages high school students in policy discussions while preparing them for college. 

On October 1, CHCI will hold its 14th Annual Reyes of Comedy. This popular event features both established Latino comedians as well as emerging Latino talent for a night of exceptional entertainment. This year's event is a sponsor benefit only and all proceeds support CHCI's youth leadership development programs.  

The closing and premier event of the conference is CHCI's 37th Annual Awards Gala at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. This prestigious dinner recognizes CHCI's highest honorees and celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of Latino leaders who are giving back to their communities.  The Gala draws more than 2,000 guests including federal and local elected officials, corporate and nonprofit leaders, and celebrities.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 - October 15.  For CHCI, it also represents an opportunity to feature its highly competitive and nationally acclaimed Latino youth leadership development programs, including two fellowship programs, a congressional internship program, scholarship awards, and college readiness programs, Ready to Lead (R2L®) and R2L® NextGen, for high school students.

Important Dates
September 30-October 1
Public Policy Conference

September 30
Ready to Lead (R2L)

October 1
14th Annual Reyes of Comedy

October 2
CHCI 37th Annual Awards Gala

About CHCI
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c) (3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic members of Congress, nonprofit, union, and corporate leaders. For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771, visit www.chci.org, or join us on Facebook, Twitter (chci), LinkedIn, and YouTube.

SOURCE Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute