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September 2016

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, MIMA, and the Baltimore City Hispanic Commission recognize exemplary Hispanics and their contributions to Baltimore during the annual Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards. In addition to the awards, this year’s reception featured the inspiring story of Elda Devarie, Founder and CEO of EMD Sales, one of the largest wholesale distributors of international products in the Baltimore-Washington area.

The winners of the 2016 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards lead by example, embodying the characteristics of leadership and service and persistence to lift up and improve their community and Baltimore.

Congratulations to the awardees!

• Emerging Leader Award: Jennifer Mendez, student, UMBC Honors Program
• Educator Award: Edwin Perez, Spanish Teacher, Baltimore City College High School
• Service Provider Award: Evelyn Vargas, Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office 
• Volunteer Award:  Lilian Amaya, co-founder, IRIS
• Special Trailblazer Recognition:
• Maria Martinez, Founder and CEO, Respira Medical
• Ricardo Martinez, Founder and CEO, Project Enhancement Corporation
• Delfina Pereda, Founding member, Mayor Schaefer’s Committee on Hispanic Affairs

The Commission and MIMA extend a special thanks to their generous sponsors; BB&T, BGE, EMD Sales and PNC and their host, the Creative Alliance.

MIMA en Español

On a monthly basis, in partnership with Mundo Latino, MIMA provides vital information on city services in Spanish. Check out this month’s topic: "Homeownership Incentive Programs."

Todos los meses MIMA provee informacion acerca de un servicio ofrecido por la ciudad en conjunto con el periódico Mundo Latino.  "Programas de Incentivos para la compra de casa en la Ciudad de Baltimore."

Snapshot of our Community: Trinidad and Tobago Association

The Trinidad and Tobago Association (TTAB) began in 1986 by a group of young immigrants who saw the need for an association to focus on their cultural traditions and to educate their new community on the uniqueness and diversity of Trinidad and Tobago. The Baltimore region experienced an influx of Trinidadian and Tobagonian men who came to work as welders at the Sparrows Point Shipyard in the sixties and the women who came later as wives or to work as domestics, nannies and healthcare workers in the Pikesville area.  Trinidad and Tobago currently ranks as the third highest country of origin for the foreign-born population in Baltimore City. The community now represents many professionals within the DMV area, especially in the health care sector.

The republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an economic and cultural hub. The nation gained its independence from Britain in 1962, but on various occasions prior, it was controlled by France, Spain and Portugal. As a result there is a diverse population and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Also, its economy reflects its high per-capita income. It is the largest oil and natural gas producer in the Caribbean. Its high standard of education supports an amply skilled highly technical workforce. While the Association’s Christmas and Easter holiday events reflect the diverse cultural heritage of Trinidad and Tobago, the Annual Family Picnic features traditional sporting events such as the egg and spoon race and needle and thread races, cricket and soccer. The ongoing needs of the community it serves include assistance with citizenship, health care and education. The association also provides scholarships for higher education and referral services in the areas of social services, finance, immigration, health and homeownership. To learn more about the association and opportunities for partnership, please contact Denise Daniel at ddaniel@jhmi.edu or 410-484-2470.

Partner Spotlight: Caroline Center

MIMA would like to recognize Caroline Center in September as part of National Workforce Development Month. The Center educates unemployed and underemployed women in Baltimore for health care careers with the potential for advancement. The Center’s mission is inspired by the bold vision of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and since 1996, their holistic approach, tuition-free trainings and safe and supportive community have resulted in their ability to train more than 2000 women in the last decade and exceed national benchmarks for workforce development organizations. As one of their participants articulated about the impact of the Center’s services on her life and sense of what is possible, “Here I stand before this deck that’s stacked against me. I didn’t put it there. It was there when I arrived. But I no longer accept it.” Services offered by Caroline Center include employment services and occupational skills training in the field of Certified/Geriatric Nursing Assistants or Certified Pharmacy Technicians. Trainings are 15 weeks long and are offered in both East and West Baltimore. In response to the need for employment and vocational training services for women in West Baltimore, under the leadership of Sister Patricia McLaughlin, Caroline Center opened a second site at St. Agnes Hospital in January of 2016. For more information or to apply, please contact Caroline Center at 410-563-1301 or at carolinecenter@caroline-center.org.

Calendar of Events

Esperanza Center After-School ESL Program for Youth
September 12-December 7 (Monday & Wednesday, 4 pm-6pm)
Esperanza Center, 430 South Broadway

Participate in Esperanza Center’s free After School ESL Program to improve your English skills. To register, students need to come with their parent or guardian to a registration session, held the first Wednesday of every month. More information or contact InfoEducationalServices@cc-md.org.

Esperanza Center Adult Educational Services
September 26-30 (Registration). October 3- December 9 (Classes)
Esperanza Center, 430 South Broadway

Join Esperanza Center’s 10-week fall semester of classes for adults. In addition to English as a Second Language (“ESL”), Esperanza also offers citizenship classes and computer literacy classes.  For more information on the hours of registration, please visit the website at www.cc-md.org/immigrants or contact InfoEducationalServices@cc-md.org .

Maryland Historical Society: Voyage of the Deutschland Exhibition Opening & Oktoberfest
September 29 (Discussion: 6pm-7pm; Oktoberfest Celebration: 7pm-9pm)
201 West Monument Street

Learn more about the centennial of the mysterious arrival of the Deutschland submarine to Baltimore’s harbor in this new exhibit and discussion and then continue the discussion with live music, German food and more in their Oktoberfest celebration. More information

OSI-Baltimore Solutions Summit: Jobs, Justice and Behavioral Health
Explore solutions and provide the new mayor and City Council with priorities on a host of issues, in this series of half-day forums. Those priorities will then be incorporated into the Solutions Summit on December 10th and serve as a blueprint of recommendations for Baltimore’s elected officials.
More information

OSI-Baltimore Solutions Summit: Behavioral Health Forum
October 1 (9am – 12:30pm – Check-in at 8:30am)
War Memorial Building, 101 N. Gay Street.

Topics include: substance use, access to treatment provider capacity; housing and recovery support and care coordination.

OSI-Baltimore Solutions Summit: Criminal and Juvenile Justice Forum
October 22 (9am – 12:30pm – Check-in at 8:30am)
Real News Network, 231 N. Holliday Street.

Topics include: policing, re-entry services, bail reform, and youth justice.

OSI-Baltimore Solutions Summit: Jobs Forum
October 29 (9am – 12:30pm – Check-in at 8:30am)
War Memorial Building, 101 N. Gay Street

Topics include: adult education, minimum wage, economic development, wealth building, transitional jobs, and worker protections.

15th Annual Maryland Hispanic Business Conference
October 3, (8:30am to 8:00pm)
Bethesda North Marriot Hotel & Conference Center – 5701 Marinelli Road.

Learn about tools, strategies and resources to better support Hispanic businesses –and ways to add to Maryland’s economic fabric. The event attracts an audience of more than 700 entrepreneurs, Hispanic business owners, State officials and representatives of the leading Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. More Information

National Aquarium’s Fiesta Latina
October 7 (5pm-8pm)
501 East Pratt Street

Enjoy traditional performances and dance to the sounds of live bands in the National Aquarium’s annual event and celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Latin-inspired dishes and beverages will also be available for purchase. More information.

Presentation in Spanish about Zika – Presentacion del Zika
October 13 (9am – 10am)
Gallery Church, 3115 Eastern Ave.

Únase al Departamento de Salud para una presentación sobre el Zika. Aprenda sobre lo que usted puede hacer para prevenir la propagación del Zika en su comunidad y come puede protegerse si va a viajar. Mas Información.

Global Women Peace Foundation: Walk to End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
October 15 (12:30 pm-3 pm)
National Sylvan Theater on Washington National Mall, Washington Memorial Drive, DC

Did you know that more than 31,280 girls are either at risk for FGM or are living with post-consequences in Maryland? Participate in this event, featuring speakers from the Department of Justice, a survivor of FGM and more, to show your support for both this global and local issues. For more information and to register for the 5k charity walk.

Nepal Mela: 2nd Nepalese Street Festival
October 16 (12 noon -5on)
400 Washington Avenue, Towson

Presented by the Baltimore Association of Nepalese, enjoy this unique display of Nepalese traditional culture, entertainment, crafts and food. For more information

China Town Hall: Local Connections, National Reflections
October 18 (5:30 pm-9 pm)
Baltimore City Hall, 100 North Holliday Street

Attend the 10th Annual China Town Hall, hosted by the Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee and the Baltimore City Office of the Mayor. The catered reception will feature a local address and discussion by Dr. David Lampton, Director of the China Studies Program at JHU, and a nationwide webcast featuring Dr. Henry Kissinger. For more information and to register.

Essence of Traditional Korean Music and Dance
October 19 (7:30 pm)
Falvey Hall, MICA, 1300 West Mt Royal Ave

Join MICA, the Korean Cultural Center and the National Gugak Center for a well-known Korean folk music and ensemble dance repertories that demonstrate the abundance and profoundness of Korean traditions and heritage. More information.

Community Forum: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
October 25 (6:30 pm-8:30 pm)
William H Thumel Sr Business Center, University of Baltimore, 11 W. Mount Royal Avenue

Join BB&T and the University of Baltimore as they host a panel discussion on the economic, educational, and legal impact of President Obama’s executive order and how residents of Baltimore are affected by this action. Refreshments will be served. RSVP to Jim Willis at jwillis@bbandt.com or at 410.949.1260.

Mayor's Office of Immigrant & Multicultural Affairs 100 N. Holliday Street, Room 250 Baltimore, MD  21202 410-396-8056 mima@baltimorecity.gov