“Presente” in Oklahoma!

September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic American Heritage Month. To celebrate the significant contributions of Latinos in the state of Oklahoma, the OHS Multicultural Office is planning “Presente” in Oklahoma!, a panel discussion focusing on Hispanic history to be held at the Oklahoma History Center on Tuesday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The panel will consist of historians, scholars, and representatives from Hispanic families with deep roots in Oklahoma. During this event, speakers will share the complex history of Hispanic cultural development in the state, from the 1840s to more recent immigration to the state.

Miriam Campos will moderate the panel. The scheduled panelists include Jerry Medina, Dr. Regina Lopez, Arturo Alonso-Sandoval and Francisco Trevino. Miriam Campos, Jerry Medina, and Dr. Regina Lopez all serve on the Friends of the OHS Multicultural Office Board. Campos is the vice president, community manager for Chase Bank in Oklahoma City. She also serves on many other boards, including the Latino Community Development Agency. Medina is the president and owner of Medina Exploration Inc., an oil and gas exploration service. Lopez is a professor in the education department of the University of Central Oklahoma. Alonso-Sandoval was recently elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 89 in south Oklahoma City, and will be one of the youngest elected officials in the legislature. Trevino is the former executive director of the Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the present executive director of Tulsa’s Casa de la Cultura.

Other activities will include a short-version fashion show coordinated by Yimma Kernes from Panama, and presentations about Charros and Escaramuzas in Oklahoma from Charrería El Roble. Several topics will be discussed, such as Mexicans in Oklahoma, Hispanics and Latinos in Oklahoma, and economics in Español. Supermercados Morelos will provide a free, light lunch for 100 attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.

The event will be held at the Oklahoma History Center, located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. For more information about “Presente in Oklahoma!,” please call Saidy Orellana at 405-522-5204 or email saidy.orellana@history.ok.gov. The event is sponsored by Supermercados Morelos.