READING, Pa. — Francis Hall was quiet ahead of Alvernia University’s Latinos Unidos celebration. Artwork was already on display, including work by an Alvernia student, before a crowd expected to fill the space arrived.
“Today I think we’re expecting around 150, could be up to 200 so we left registration open for walk-ins today,” said organizer Liz Epps of the O’Pake Institute.
This is the fourth Latinos Unidos. Epps said it began with a simple idea: bring people together to hear one another’s stories and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
“It’s actually created for the community to bring the community into Alvernia so that they can experience what we have to offer here,” she said.
For Epps, who grew up in Reading, it’s the kind of night she wishes she’d had as a kid.
“As a Latina growing up in a place like Reading, I didn’t see myself. So, you know, I saw other people that looked like me, but we never talked about the stories, the struggles, the triumphs,” she said.
The event will feature music, student presentations, and awards. 69 News Reporter José Martinez will also share his story as the keynote speaker.