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Latin Heritage Dinner Honors Local Leaders
The event, sponsored by the Latin Cultural Diversity Center and the Offices of Equity and Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at The University of Scranton, celebrated the larger role that people of color are playing in civic life and their dedication to improving the Scranton community.
Many notable speakers contributed to the event, including Pennsylvania House Representative Ken Smith, Angel Jirau of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs and Rev. Rick Malloy, S.J., vice president for University Ministries at The University of Scranton.
“The 21st century is going to be a century of many peoples and many cultures. We all have to learn how to get along, learn how to help one another,” said Fr. Malloy.
Paul Oreck received the Latino Community Development Award, presented by Rosette Adera of the Office of Equity and Diversity. Oreck is the owner and president of La Voz Latina, Northeast Pennsylvania’s Spanish-language newspaper.
The Latino Humanitarian Award was presented to Pastors Edwin and Zamaris Benitez of the Maranatha Pentecostal Church, which they founded in Scranton nearly five years ago. The award was presented by Tashika Smith, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
About 100 people attended the awards dinner, which also featured a routine by Scranton’s Mexican Youth Performance Team.
