Wayne State University's Center for Chicano-Boricua Studies (CBS) will hold its 40th Anniversary Gala and Celebración on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, at the DTE Energy Town Square, One Energy Plaza, in downtown Detroit. This year's event will honor the three organizations responsible for the foundation of the center 40 years ago: New Detroit Inc., LA SED Inc., and Wayne State University.

The evening will feature a keynote address delivered by Rep. Hansen Clarke, D-MI, with Guadalupe Lara, from Southwest Detroit's LA SED, as mistress of ceremonies.

The gala will also include a number of musical performances featuring traditional African, Spanish and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. José Riojas and Friends will open the evening with traditional Spanish guitar, followed by an African dance and drum performance by Heritage Works. Southwest Detroit operatic virtuoso Jesse Vicente Murillo will treat guests to a vocal performance during dinner. And Caribbean music ensemble Eddie Caraballo and La Cura will cap the event with live music and dancing. 

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 DTE Energy, Comerica Bank, UAW, MGM Grand Detroit, AARP, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Bank of America and Global Strategic Solutions.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.specialevents.wayne.edu/cbs40.

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.