Wayne State University's Center for Chicano-Boricua Studies (CBS) will hold its 39th Anniversary Gala & Celebración on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at El Kiosko Hall, on 7278 Dix Street, in the heart of Southwest Detroit. This year's event will honor Cindy Estrada, vice president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and a CBS alumna. Estrada, a longtime union organizer and social activist, is the first Latina elected to serve as a UAW vice president.
The master of ceremonies for the evening will be Jorge Avellán, an Emmy Award-winning journalist for MyTV20, Detroit.
Puerto Rican singer Esthér Santiago is scheduled to perform a medley of merengüe selections for guests. A sampling of Peru's rich folkloric music will be provided by singing sensation Fatima Poggi. Other entertainment highlights include a set by DJ Eazy-E and a gala opening performance by Las Flamenquitas, a troupe of flamenco dancers led by Valeria "La Chispa" Montes and representing Southwest Detroit's COMPAS arts center.
This event kicks off Wayne State's observance of Hispanic Heritage Month and raises money for the center's student retention programming. It is made possible through the charitable contributions of its many partners, as well as sponsors such as César Chávez Academy/Leona Group LLC, UAW, Comerica, DTE Energy, MGM Grand Detroit, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Bank of America.
For more information, please visit the event page at: http://www.specialevents.wayne.edu/cbs
Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 400 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students.