Monday, November 08, 2010

“Strengthening and Empowering Hispanic/Latino Men, Women and Families” is the focus for this year’s Annual Conference on Latino Affairs and Resources for Southeastern North Carolina, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12 at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Designed to bring resources together and build stronger networks to serve the Latino community, the conference will feature panel discussions led by local community leaders, regional experts and service providers on topics including health care, education, business, social services and immigration, among others. Attendees will also have access to exhibits by local organizations, businesses and members of the Latino Alliance, as well as networking opportunities to learn about service providers and initiatives to serve the Latino community.

This year’s speakers and panelists include:
• Gabriela Zabala, Keynote speaker, Director, Governor’s Office of Hispanic and Latino Affairs
• Nicholas Faherty, Director of Centro Latino with Amigos International
• Helen Jugovic, Immigration Lawyer
• Matty Lazo-Chadderton, Director of Hispanic and Latino Affairs. North Carolina Senate
• Eleni Pappamihiel, UNCW Watson School of Education Faculty
• Gabriel Salazar, Clinical Director for Clínica Latina at Coastal Horizons Center
• Edelmira Segovia, Director of UNCW Centro Hispano
• Fernando Villaseñor, President of Villaseñor, Inc.

The purpose of the annual conference reflects the mission of the Latino Alliance, which is to build stronger networks among people and organizations that serve the Latino community in the region, and also to empower local citizens and organizations.

Pre-registration by Thursday, Nov. 11 is required to attend the conference. The registration fee of $25 includes lunch and continental breakfast. Registration is free for UNCW students. To register, go to: http://uncw.edu/centrohispano/sl2010.html. For more information contact: UNCW-Centro Hispano at 910.962.7785.

Media contact: Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.508-3127 or fischettid@uncw.edu