Hispanic Heritage Month: Immigration, Changing the Narrative

Hispanic Heritage Month: Immigration, Changing the Narrative

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Glide's Center for Social Justice for an insightful event on immigration and changing the narrative. An "immigration narrative" refers to the dominant stories and perspectives surrounding immigration, shaping public opinion and policy decisions.

These narratives can be complex and multifaceted, often portraying immigrants as either a threat or a benefit to society. Understanding these narratives is crucial for shaping effective immigration policies and fostering more inclusive communities. In essence, the "immigration narrative" is a powerful force that shapes our understanding and response to complex issues.

By understanding the different narratives at play and working to reframe them with accurate information by the immigrant community itself and compelling storytelling, we can work towards a more just and inclusive society.

Join us for a discussion led by prominent speakers in the Hispanic community. Learn about the rich history and contributions of Hispanic immigrants while exploring ways to reshape the conversation around immigration. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and celebrate its culture!

Host moderator:

Olga Talamante is Executive Director Emerita of the Chicana Latina Foundation (CLF). She became the first Executive Director of CLF in January 2003 serving in that position until March of 2018. CLF’s mission is the Empowerment of Chicanas/Latinas through their Personal, Educational, and Professional Advancement. In her position she oversaw the granting of thousands of dollars to Latina college students and founded the organization’s pioneering Leadership Institute that has graduated over 700 Latina social justice leaders.

Prior to those fifteen years with CLF, she held various positions, including Regional Vice President, from 1986-2002 at INROADS, a career and leadership organization for students of color.

Olga’s family migrated from Mexico to Gilroy, California in the early 1960’s where they worked in the farm fields for several years. Those formative years formed the basis for her activism as an organizer and supporter of the nascent United Farm Workers' labor union.

She is widely respected for her community activism and leadership. During the mid-seventies, she became well known for her experience as a political prisoner in Argentina. As a result of a successful grass-roots campaign, she was released after spending 16 months in Pr*son. Since her return to the United States, she remained active in the Chicano, Latin American Solidarity, LGBTQ and progressive political movements.

Some of her awards include, the Cesar Chavez Legacy Award, the San Francisco Latino heritage Award, the GLBT Historical Society Award, the Horizons Foundation Visionary Award and the Commonwealth Club Distinguished Citizen Award.

Olga served as co-chair of the Horizons Foundation Board, National Center for Lesbian Rights Board and currently serves on the boards of El Concilio of San Mateo County, The Greenlining Institute, Chicana Latina Foundation, and is co-chair of the Caravan for the Children, which continues to advocate for the reunification and healing of the children separated at the border.

She holds a B.A. from University of California Santa Cruz, and Honorary Doctorate from the University of San Francisco.

Panelists include:

Yosimar Reyes is the current Santa Clara County Poet Laureate and was named the 2024 Creative Ambassador by the City of San José. A writer, poet, and performer, Reyes is widely recognized for his compelling storytelling and exploration of the undocumented and queer experience. His autobiographical solo show Prieto—a recipient of the Gerbode Special Awards in the Arts—has toured nationally to universities and cultural institutions across the country.

Reyes is currently developing two new theatrical works: No Llegamos Aquí Solos, in collaboration with Teatro Visión (premiering Spring 2026), and Si Dios Quiere, Regreso, a solo piece set to premiere in Fall 2026.

He serves as the Performing Artist-in-Residence at MACLA (Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana), where he continues to create work rooted in community, memory, and resistance.

Leticia Hernandez is the proud daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, Leticia Hernández-Linares is an award-winning, interdisciplinary, bilingual writer and racial justice educator. She is the author of the poetry collection Mucha Muchacha, Too Much Girl and the children's book Alejandria Fights Back! The co-editor of The Wandering Song: Central American Writing in the United States, she has spent decades convening and collaborating with an international community of Central American writers, artivists, and scholars.

In the past, she performed at the 19th Annual MLK Rally/Celebration at the Bill Graham Auditorium and for the 40thAnniversary Neighborhood Arts Festival at Glide alongside poet laureates Jack Hirschman and Janice Mirikitani, two of her beloved mentors. She has lived on the same block of the Mission District (unceded Ramaytush Ohlone land) for thirty years and she teaches in the Latina, Latino Studies at San Francisco State.

Opening Ceremony by Danza Xitlalli

Danza Xitlalli is a cultural, spiritual, and ceremonial group committed to preserving the Indigenous traditions of Danza Mexica.

Danza Xitlalli's vision is to honor the Natural World and provide a space for the traditions and Indigenous wisdom to be passed on to future generations.

They are one of the oldest Danza Azteca Mexica Indigenous Ceremonial Dance groups north of the Mexican border founded by Maestra Macuilxóchitl and Maestro Francisco Camplis, under the guidance of El General Pedro Rodriguez under the banner of Mexico’s Mesa del Santo Niño de Atocha.

Spoken Word by Yosimar Reyes and Leticia Hernandez

If you have any questions please contact Erick Arguello, Advocacy Manager, at [email protected].

GLIDE

Sanctuary

330 Ellis St.

San Francisco, Ca. 94102

6:00 to 6:30: Opening Ceremony and Introductions

6:30 to 7:30: Panel Discussion and Spoken Word

7:30 PM to 8:00 PM: Reception

In solidarity

Glide Center for Social Justice

Host or Publisher GLIDE Center for Social Justice